Activities and Interests
SLU LAW Extracurricular involvement: Trial Team, SLU Hockey Team
Scholarships/honors: Dean’s Scholar Scholarship; Academic Excellence Award, Civil Procedure II; Honor Council Judge
Favorite fictional lawyer: Harvey Specter (“Suits”)
Favorite quote: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” –T.S. Elliot
Law School Snapshot
Why did you want to go to law school?
At first, I never thought I would want to be a lawyer. Coming out of high school, I was planning on becoming a psychiatrist or orthopedic surgeon. I decided to do pre-med at SLU and ended up hating it. Academic Advising put me in a business class, and I was content with it but not passionate. Then, Academic Advising recommended I try a law class. Hesitantly, I took the class. I loved everything about it. It was the first class where I loved to go to class, loved to participate and loved to do the readings (as weird as that sounds). That was when I knew this was what I wanted to do because I had a passion for it. My parents saw it coming a long time ago, and looking back I probably should have, too.
What do you want to do after you graduate?
Work in litigation, most likely criminal defense.
What advice would you give first-year students?
Don’t drive yourself crazy with what is going on around you. Don’t talk about grades, exams (once they’re over) or who’s getting interviews. If you get caught up in too much stuff in your peripherals, then you are bound to get lost on the way to the goal in front you. Just worry about you, and what works for you. Don’t let what other people are doing stress you out and take you out of your game.
What’s most challenging about adjusting to law school?
Adjusting to the stress level. Law school is high stress, with lots of work and lots of deadlines. However, learning to embrace that and manage it is part of life. You have to keep up with the material, you have to study it. Cramming at the end of the semester is not going to work. You have to make sure you are prepared everyday, which will help keep stress levels from getting overwhelming when finals come around.
What professional experiences/summer positions or clinical experience have you had?
I’ve been all over the criminal defense game. In undergrad, I was fortunate enough to get an internship with the St. Louis County Public Defender’s Office. There is no better place to get hands-on experience and determine if you like litigation, as well as being in a courtroom. After that, I was moved to the Federal Public Defender’s Office where I worked for almost a year. Then, I was hired by one of the most prestigious, if not the best, criminal defense attorneys, Travis Noble, from Sindel, Sindel & Noble, which is where I work now.
Spotlight on St. Louis
What is your favorite part of St. Louis?
It’s hard to pick one because I’ve grown up here and I’ve seen it all. Each area of St. Louis has something different to offer.
What would you tell a prospective student about living in St. Louis?
Don’t be confined by what is immediately around the University. Go out to Clayton, The Hill, Downtown, South City, Chesterfield, etc. The restaurant scene in St. Louis (city and county) is amazing. Once or twice a week, try to grab some friends, pick a place, go grab some food and drinks, relax, and get away from school.