OU Law
It is hard to explain the gratitude I have for the opportunity to earn my college degree without telling you about my parents. I was raised in a blended family. My step dad brought his son and daughter to our family when I was five. My mother had four kids of her own. Together my mom and step dad raised the six of us, while they both returned to college. My mother laughs because I can never remember to call them on their anniversary, but I always remember the day they both graduated from NSU in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I was only eleven, but I knew how that moment would change our lives forever and I was so proud.
Like my parents I am pursuing my college career after starting my family. I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to practice law. Remembering the pride I had when my parents accomplished their educational goals inspired me to go back to school. I know I have inspired my children to work hard and strive for their goals through my dedication to my college career. I know I will always be a lifelong learner. I want to use my education to help others who may feel hopeless or stuck in their situation.
The idea of working for a non-profit law firm is very appealing to me. To give people a voice that may not be able to afford an attorney to represent their interest would be very rewarding. Unfortunately individuals with fewer resources are often unable to peruse their interest within the legal system. The legal system and its processes are very complex. Individuals that do not frequently interact within the legal system do not have a working knowledge of its processes and how to navigate them. The cost and uncertainty of litigation disproportionately affects women, children, and minorities.
I want to keep an open mind about what type of law I intend to practice. I know that some individuals enter law school with the intentions of pursuing a specific type of law, but I feel law school will expose me to options that I may not have considered yet. A law degree will open the door for many opportunities for me and my family. It will also allow me the opportunity to help other individuals. Maybe I’ll be a child advocate lawyer, help women get out of abusive marriages, or help religious minorities secure their religious freedom.
I do not know with a hundred percent certainty what type of law I intend to practice, but what I do know is that no matter what I chose I will give a hundred and ten percent of my energy and focus to being the best most dedicated lawyer for my clients.
Decubitus Ulcer-lawyer
I don't think I had seen the seal of the OU Law School before, Heather: it has an owl! That is so cool! And law is an amazing profession, with so much to learn and know, and also so many different career paths you can follow when you have that knowledge. You are exactly right that law is its own world with its own language (sometimes incomprehensible!), and we are dependent on lawyers to help us navigate that world. Given your legal interests, it sounds like the ACLU is an organization that would interest you, and the General Counsel for the Oklahoma ACLU is an OU alum named Brady Henderson... and when he was Asst. District Attorney in Norman, his main area was working on domestic violence cases. I am guessing he is someone you would really enjoy getting to know, and if you want to get in touch with him, let me know: I would be glad to do email introductions. He took Myth-Folklore way (way way way) back in the year 2001! Pretty wild, huh? I am really proud of all that he has done since then; you can find out more about Oklahoma ACLU here: ACLU Of Oklahoma Staff webpage. And I hope this will be a good class for you; justice is a huge theme in the world of folklore and storytelling, so I am sure you will find stories you want to work with each week. I am excited to see what you will want to do for your class project!
ReplyDeleteAnd for that image source, the link text could work like this (without the http visible): Decubitus Ulcer Lawyers (I never would have guessed that was a legal niche, but it makes sense: everybody needs lawyers for their problems, esp. medical problems!)
Hi Heather! Wow, it seems like you are super organized and always ready for the next thing. I think that is awesome and I am very impressed about your interest in law. My sister’s major is Pre-Law and it blows my mind to see the amount of work that is put into that profession. I also grew up with a fairly large family so I can empathize with you when it comes to admiring your parent’s energy and dedication. I am excited to read more of your blog and hope that this semester brings you closer to your goals.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather!! I have a lot of respect for you for continuing your education after starting your family, a lot do not. I can bond with you on wanting to use your education to help others. I am currently going to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor. We both want to help people which is very cool! I think keeping an open mind on deciding what law you want to practice, that way you won't go in with a biased opinion and can truly figure out what area is the best fit for you. I wish you all the luck!!!
ReplyDeleteNice to 'meet' you, Heather! You're so inspiring- I really respect you pursuing a career in law. I too attribute all my success to my parents. They've been my biggest fans all along the way- and everything I do they are so sure to tell me how proud of me they are! I'm excited to read more about you!
ReplyDeleteYour story is so inspiring, Heather! It made me tear up that you can remember the day that your parents graduated. That means it made a huge impact on your life, and that is such a big deal! It made me proud of them and I don't even know them! I also love that you are looking to go to law school. That is such a big commitment for a field that needs leaders like you in it!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, I loved getting to read your background. I think working for a non-profit law firm would be an incredible opportunity. What made you want to practice law? Just curious! Anyways, I am so glad I got to read a little bit about you and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future! Wishing you the best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI was always interested in the legal system, but I was never able to pursue my education. I married very young and had a family. After twelve years in a less than healthy marriage, I knew I needed out. I was scared and did not know how to navigate the legal system. I did some research and out of necessity I wrote my own divorce papers. I knew tight then that I wanted to help others who felt trapped in a bad sistuation. The closer I get to obtaining my dream of becoming a lawyer, the more dedicated I am to the process.
DeleteHi Heather. It's amazing to hear your story and to see your passion for your future. I grew up with an interest in law, but decided not to pursue it in college. It is so interesting and there are so many different areas you can go to once you're in law school. I know you'll pick one that interests you and that you love to do. Best of luck with your pursuits!
ReplyDeleteAh, wow—the story about your parents is really inspiring, and it’s even cooler seeing how you’ve taken that torch and are in the process of passing that example onto your own kids, too. I always love hearing stories about childhood dreams that stick around with people into adulthood, and the fact that you’ll be using your dream to help other people get closer to achieving theirs is especially awesome. It sounds like you’d be great at any of the types of law you described, because it’s clear you’re passionate about the opportunities that come with all those options. Good luck with law school!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather,
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice that you are a Law Student, I do not know if what they say is right or not but I heard that law at OU is very very competitive... I assume it must be hard to keep up with everything but it is very good that you already know what you want to do exactly. It was nice meeting you and I wish you good luck in this semester.