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Chizom J. Okebugwu

Law

Chizom J. Okebugwu(he/him)

Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney - Partner · Bolin Law Group

Washington University in St. Louis - Bachelor of Science (BS), Political Science; Stetson University College of Law - Juris Doctor

Chizom J. Okebugwu is a Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney at Bolin Law Group in Tampa, Florida, where she has spent eight years building her skills and confidence in the courtroom. She earned her law degree from Stetson University College of Law and now works on complex cases at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system. Her journey shows that with the right environment and persistence, you can grow into a legal career that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Their story

Study what Interests you. You don't have to major in pre-law or political science to get into law school.

19 min

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Key quotes

“No day is ever boring, you know, when you're meeting new people.”

Chizom Okebugwu, Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

“I didn't know what insurance defense was before I interviewed. You can be criminal defense, you can do family law, you know, you can do estate law — there's so many different types.”

Chizom Okebugwu, Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

“Imposter syndrome — basically feeling like you're not qualified to be in the space that you're in. And I know it's a syndrome. It's not like it's something that is true, but it is something that could creep in every now and then, you know, if I let it.”

Chizom Okebugwu, Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

“Please do not hang yourself on doing pre-law or political science. You really can do whatever you're into, whatever you're interested in — really pursue that.”

Chizom Okebugwu, Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

“No job is going to ask you how many times you took the bar before you passed. They're only going to care about — are you a licensed attorney, are you a good fit for our firm or for this job?”

Chizom Okebugwu, Medical Malpractice Defense Attorney

Career highlights

You don't have to major in pre-law or political science to get into law school — study what actually interests you.

Chizom says she did the pre-law track because she thought she had to, but later learned law schools welcome applicants from any major, including engineering and English.

Say yes to opportunities even when you don't fully understand them yet — that's often how you find your niche.

Chizom had never heard of insurance defense law before her friend called about a job opening. She Googled it after hanging up, interviewed, and got the job — launching her entire career.

Networking starts earlier than you think — treat every connection, even in high school, as a potential career bridge.

Chizom emphasizes that the person who eventually got her her job was a friend she already knew. Relationships you build now can open doors years later.

Imposter syndrome is real, but it is not the truth — name it, and don't let it keep you out of rooms you've earned.

Chizom describes often being the only Black person in courtroom settings and acknowledges imposter syndrome creeping in, while also being clear that the feeling doesn't reflect her actual qualifications.

A law degree doesn't lock you into practicing law — 'JD advantage' jobs in business, policy, and other fields value your legal training too.

Chizom mentions that even in law school she wasn't sure she wanted to practice, and highlights that many people use their JD in non-practicing roles where legal knowledge is a distinct asset.

No one will ask how many times you took the bar exam — what matters is that you passed and that you do good work.

Chizom closes with this reassurance to take the pressure off students who feel like every stumble is permanent. Employers care about your license and your fit, not your test history.

Student summary
Chizom Okebugwu is a civil defense attorney and partner at Bolin Law Group in Tampa, Florida, where she specializes in medical malpractice and insurance defense. Born in the south suburbs of Chicago to Nigerian immigrant parents, she grew up watching her father practice criminal defense law and knew early on she wanted to be an attorney. She earned her undergraduate degree on a pre-law track, attended Stetson University College of Law, passed the bar in 2017, and landed her current job through a connection with a friend — not a formal job search. She has since grown into a partner role over eight years at the same firm. Chizom's day-to-day work is anything but routine. She conducts depositions, drafts legal motions, negotiates settlements, investigates incident sites, interviews witnesses, and tries cases in court. She represents businesses and insurance companies when someone files a lawsuit against them — a niche area of law called insurance defense that many law students never even hear about. Her story is a real reminder that there are entire corners of the legal world that aren't taught in school, and you often find them by saying yes to opportunities even when you don't fully understand them yet. One of Chizom's most powerful pieces of advice is to stop assuming you need to major in political science or pre-law to become an attorney. You don't. Law schools accept English majors, engineering majors, business majors — the field you study in undergrad matters far less than your LSAT or GRE score and your commitment. She also pushes back on the idea that you have to practice law right after law school. If you earn a JD, there are 'JD advantage' jobs in business, policy, and other sectors where your legal training gives you a real edge without requiring you to pass the bar. Chizom is candid about what it feels like to walk into a courtroom and be one of the only Black people in the room — and sometimes the only one, period. She talks openly about imposter syndrome: that feeling that you don't belong in a space, even when you've earned every right to be there. She doesn't let that feeling stop her, but she names it honestly, which matters for students of color who may have felt the same thing in academic or professional settings. When she spots another Black attorney in her field, she makes it a point to connect with them. Her story is especially relevant for first-generation students and students of color who are curious about law but aren't sure where to start or which type of law to pursue. Chizom's path wasn't perfectly planned — she figured things out as she went, said yes to an interview for a job she'd never heard of, and built her career from there. The through line is persistence, openness, and showing up consistently even in spaces where you don't always see yourself reflected.