Objection Overruled: My Path to Law School

When I first started working for The Legacy Legal Team in early 2023 as a legal assistant, I was often asked if I had any aspirations of eventually going to law school. At that time, the answer was a resounding “no.” My prior work experience in the field of law was almost exclusively in the practice area of foreclosure, and while I generally excelled in this work and met many phenomenal peers and friends, I did not leave that experience with a strong desire to build a permanent career in law.

That all changed in my time at The Legacy Legal Team, as I was able to immerse myself in a variety of practice areas, witnessing firsthand just how significant an impact attorneys can make in the lives of their clients. In my time at The Legacy Legal Team as a legal assistant, and eventually as a paralegal, I was able to work with my attorneys to assist clients with a wide range of legal matters, including eager soon-to-be homeowners overjoyed at the opportunity to own their first home, distressed couples navigating the divorce process, and families exploring estate planning in the wake of a diagnosis or other major life event. Each of these experiences had a profound impact on me and helped me develop a passion for the field of law.

Ultimately, after having so many of these experiences, and with some encouragement from Ms. Nagel and all of the attorneys on the team, I made the decision to pursue law school in the past year. With this decision, much of my time outside of work quickly became dedicated to studying for the LSAT, researching law schools, and preparing a personal statement for each of the schools I would eventually apply to. While each of these aspects of the law school application process are stressful, I found that many of the skills I honed through working in law, including critical thinking, communication, and time management, were crucial to my success and ultimately made the process feel more manageable. With this process now completed, I was accepted to several law schools, and am honored and excited to be starting law school in August at the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law with a substantial scholarship.

Looking back on the process, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to obtain work experience in the legal field between my undergraduate studies and attending law school. Initially, I found that there were many aspects of the application process that were made easier by having this experience, as I could easily weave my experiences into a compelling narrative for my personal statements. This experience has also allowed me to have a greater confidence in my decision to pursue a law degree, as I have now developed a passion for law, and a career in the field is part of my destiny. I am grateful to have had these experiences, and I could not imagine pursuing a law degree without it. In fact, my recommendation for peers even considering law school is to spend some time working or interning at a law firm first. Living the day-to-day reality firsthand and obtaining work experience will sharpen your goals, strengthen your application, and help you decide if this path is truly right for you.

By: Christopher Gutowski

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