Student Profiles

What led you to pursue a law degree and why did you choose Seattle U?  

I’ve wanted to go to law school for 20 years, but my active duty military career did not allow for such a thing. After retiring from the Army in 2016 then spending four years with the federal government in the Washington, D.C., area, I returned home to Washington, where I grew up, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. After the pandemic settled down, I realized I was not in a career I wished to be in and decided to pursue my longstanding dream of going to law school.

I chose Seattle U Law originally because I planned on attending a part-time program, and SU had the only available program in the state. However, after reviewing my options and deciding on attending full-time, Seattle U Law became the unequivocal right choice for me. The mission of the school to provide a legal education founded in serving others, improving communities, and fiercely promoting access to justice put Seattle U Law head and shoulders above any other school I might have been considering.

What have you found especially valuable during your legal education?

As a nontraditional law student (I started my 1L year a mere three weeks after I turned 46 years old), I tend to have a different perspective on what is “valuable.” The thing that stood out to me very quickly was that the professors, staff, and administration truly believe in what they are doing, and are genuine in their presentation and actions.

I have experienced other educational institutions where it was clear that those instructing or administrating were doing it merely because it was their job, and not because they were invested in those they were serving. That is not the case at Seattle U Law! There is rightful expectation that law students should be investing the most into their education, but that is equaled here by the commitment and investment SU Law has in their students.

I have especially benefitted from the advice, guidance, and assistance from the Center for Professional Development. The professionals at CPD helped me adjust my interviewing and networking skills for this new career journey, which is notably different from my old professional environment.

What do you do outside of law school? What do you love about Seattle?

I spend a lot of time in the state capital! I live in Olympia and though I reside locally during the school week to ease the commuting burden, I spend most weekends at home in Oly. When I’m at home, I spend a lot of time with my dogs, my girlfriend and her daughters, and as much time outside as possible. Locally, I like to explore new places to eat, and attend sporting events as my schedule allows.

Having grown up in the Puget Sound region, I have known and loved Seattle my entire life. The opportunities this wonderful city presents for recreation (both indoor and outdoor), educational opportunities, culture, professional advancement, and overall well-being are just unparalleled. I have lived all over the country and the world, and have experienced so many amazing places, but Seattle and the Puget Sound region are just top shelf. I might be biased as a native Western Washingtonian, but I stand by this!

What advice would you offer a prospective law student?

Know why you want to go to law school and KEEP AN OPEN MIND about your future! Whether you are a K-JD, have a few years of professional experience under your belt, or are coming in with an entire accomplished career to your name (like I did), have a legitimate reason to be here. You do not have to know what type of law you want to practice, what specialty you want to pursue, or anything like that. However, do not attend law school simply because you are unsure of what to do next with your life. Law school is not for the faint-hearted, and it is incredibly expensive. Make sure you are ready to make this investment in yourself and your future, and that you know this is exactly what you want to do.

Also, be prepared to learn in ways and amounts you have never experienced. I came in with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both of which I completed finishing at or near the top of my class, and law school was a huge wake-up call. The amount of time you will spend reading, studying, researching, and stressing is like nothing you have experienced before. (I say this as a retired Army leader with multiple combat tours.)