Prominent defense attorney Brian Steel brought Grammy-nominated rapper Young Thug directly into a classroom at Emory Law School on Wednesday, connecting the students with the hip-hop artist via FaceTime. The session in Atlanta, Georgia, offered law students an unexpected chance to interact with a figure facing legal challenges, all from the lens of defense advocacy. Steel, known for his high-profile cases, used the opportunity to challenge students to reconsider their professional goals, steering them toward careers that could protect and serve individuals rather than prosecute them.
Steel aimed to show students the potential impact of defense law, a field often overshadowed by the draw of prosecution. He emphasized that defense attorneys play a critical role in justice by standing up for people’s rights. By inviting Young Thug, Steel hoped to humanize the client’s defense attorneys serve, often individuals who find themselves misunderstood or caught up in complex legal situations. Steel urged students to see defense law as a legal practice and a path toward societal change.
Young Thug, awaiting trial in a high-profile RICO case, expressed heartfelt gratitude for defense attorneys’ work, calling it “God’s work.” He told the students that defense attorneys aren’t there to challenge the law but to help society by ensuring people get second chances. “A good defense lawyer,” he explained,
“doesn’t just try to get someone out of trouble—they fight to give someone their life back.”
The artist encouraged students to think about the broader social impact of their careers, reminding them that defense attorneys can be lifelines for those facing the hardest times.
Steel’s three-decade career has earned him a reputation as a leading figure in criminal defense. He’s been at the forefront of defending complex, high-stakes cases, ranging from public officials to celebrity clients. His work on the ongoing YSL RICO trial recently earned him a spot as one of Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers of 2023. Known for his unyielding commitment to his clients, Brian Steel exemplifies the dedication and skill necessary to navigate intense, often controversial, cases—qualities that have established him as a mentor and inspiration to aspiring attorneys.
Young Thug also took a moment to share his experiences within the justice system, describing the challenges and hope he’s found through his relationship with his legal team. He spoke candidly about the strain of his own legal battles and the critical importance of having someone in his corner. He stressed to the students that the justice system isn’t flawless and that good defense attorneys help balance it.
“You can’t have a just system if everyone’s just trying to punish,”
he said, highlighting the need for compassion and reform in the legal field.
For Emory Law students, the experience was eye-opening. Many students were struck by the unusual chance to connect with a celebrity involved in a high-profile legal case, offering them a unique perspective on the importance of defense work.
“It’s easy to see cases like this from a distance,”
said one student,
“but hearing from Young Thug himself made me think about the human side of these legal battles.”
Another student noted that hearing Steel’s and Young Thug’s perspectives gave her a new appreciation for defense law’s role in the justice system, calling it
“a career that’s really about empathy as much as justice.”
