One to Watch: Iyunoluwa Irene Falade ‘27
Student Bar Association (SBA) President Irene Falade arrived at USF Law from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, having never visited California or toured the campus. She enrolled thanks to scholarship support and quickly found connections, leadership opportunities, and a passion for intellectual property law. Throughout her time at USF, she has served on numerous student organization boards, including the Black Law Students Association (President), Pride Law (Treasurer), and First Generation Students Association (2L representative), and has worked with the Intellectual Property Technology Law Journal and as an ASP tutor. Following graduation and the bar, she hopes to build a career protecting artists and creators in an increasingly AI-driven world. Here, Irene reflects on finding community at USF, discovering new pathways in the law, and her priorities as SBA President.
Did you dream of becoming a lawyer as a kid?
For years, my parents would tell me that I should become a lawyer. But every time they brought it up, I would refuse because the only thing I knew about lawyers was going to court and dealing with criminals, which didn’t interest me. It was only in my final year of undergrad that I even considered becoming a lawyer. I did my research into the process and discovered that the law was more diverse with so many different areas of practice, and the opportunities seemed endless. That is ultimately what pushed me to pursue a JD, and I have found myself loving it more than I could have ever expected.
Any memorable moments at USF?
I have had a lot of memorable experiences at USF, but the one that sticks with me the most happened on my first day here. I was chosen to be part of the Academic Support Program (ASP), which meant I had to arrive before orientation. As I walked into the Terrace Room that morning, I was greeted by Carol and Heidi, who both shared warm smiles at the door. Heidi immediately swept me into a hug before I could even introduce myself, and I was stunned. I don’t think I had ever had such a warm welcome, and it still sticks with me because having just that one person opening up their arms to me was incredibly comforting and made me feel like I was in the right place.
Which class has challenged you the most?
Constitutional law proved to be my most demanding class. As doctrine evolves with each court and era, the rules often shift in unexpected ways. Detailed case charts were key to my success in this class.
What do you hope to achieve as SBA President?
I want every student to feel like they have a voice and a representative who uplifts them to make them heard. I want to develop our community into one that is even more supportive, helpful, accepting, and kind. My communities at USF have helped me get to where I am right now, and I will never stop being grateful to them for their endless faith in me. I want every student in our student body to have a similar experience.
Plans for after graduation and the bar?
I plan to use my law degree to protect and support human creators in the fields of music, literature, visual arts, and more. A lot of the enrichment and pleasures we enjoy in our society come from creators sharing their works with us. I think human creators, especially artists, writers, and musicians, are taken for granted, especially now with the rise of AI. I want to be able to help them retain the rights over their creations through licensing, filing trademark applications, registering with the copyright office, and enforcing those rights when needed. Creators deserve to have their ideas safeguarded.