Part-Time Program Alumni Profiles

What did you do before law school, and what led you to pursue a law degree?

Before law school I was in the same position I am today, but I was lacking the critical differentiation in skill set I needed to position myself as a candidate for executive leadership within my company. Moreover, studying the law gave me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and understanding of a subject that affects nearly every aspect of our society. For me, the substantial time commitment law school represents was much more rewarding compared to other higher education pursuits.

How did the part-time program benefit you? What law school experiences helped you in establishing your career?

At a mature stage in my career, the part-time program at Seattle University allowed me to achieve that which ordinarily requires a leave from valuable employment. The program and instructors were understanding and flexible enough to allow me to balance both law school and a busy work schedule, which also included the occasional international business travel during each semester.

While my current job position does not directly involve the practice of law, the writing program at the SU School of Law has given me valuable written and oral communication skills that will last a lifetime no matter where my career takes me.

What advice would you give to prospective or current students?

Don't dwell on the time commitment, the quantity of reading assignments, the final exams... If you stay focused on the end result, you will achieve what you set out to achieve. I managed a full-time job, with international travel, and fathered three children during law school. And I could still find classmates who were going to law school under more difficult circumstances than I. Granted, I had an extremely understanding and dedicated non-working spouse to help me get through it all. But my point is anyone with the drive and commitment to getting a law degree can do it, even on a part-time basis.