OHIO Alumni and Friends Share Legal Insight at Pre-Law Days

Kate McGarvey delivers Pre-Law Day keynote.

Twenty-one alumni and friends returned to Ohio University on Nov. 2-3 to share their law-related experiences and knowledge with current students at Ohio University’s 2017 Pre-Law Days.

The event began in Baker Theater with keynote a address by Columbus Legal Aid Society Director and OHIO alum Kate McGarvey. McGarvey, who graduated from Athens High School, relayed her personal experiences growing up in Appalachia and how that lead her to pursue a legal career in social justice. McGarvey earned a bachelor’s in Political Science from the College of Arts & Sciences at OHIO.

She told students that there is no set path that will necessarily be right for any of them but encouraged them to pursue their passions. McGarvey also addressed the access to justice gap—the unmet civil legal needs of indigent Americans—and what can be done to help close it.

The event continued on Nov. 3 with alumni sharing personal and professional advice and experience with students through a series of panel discussion. Students attended panels with topics such as Law School Advice, Corporate Law Insight, Criminal Law, and Women in the Law. Additionally, panels such as Alternative Careers in Law and Law Outside the Courtroom were helpful for students who are interested in the law, but are still exploring.

Lawyers and judges speak with students during the Women in the Law panel as Dr. Kevin Uhalde moderates.

Following the panel discussions, several law-related student organizations gave presentations regarding their groups’ missions, memberships, and activities over the last year to interested students and alumni. Groups included Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity, the Ohio University Mock Trial Team, Students Defending Students, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio University, Undergraduate Black Law Students Association, and Students for Law, Justice & Culture.

Alumni had an opportunity to ask questions and make comments regarding the work of the student organizations.

Student leader Nick Concilla, president of the ACLU of OHIO, Jessica Roth, president of Students for Law, Justice & Culture, and Keeghan White, president of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, participate in Pre-Law Days 2017.

“I was also very impressed by the academic achievements, ambition, passion, and maturity of the various students and presented at [Pre-Law Days],” said Ohio University friend and panelist Magistrate Julie A. Geiser. “They give me hope for the future of our profession!”

Finally, a series of roundtable discussions were held in which students and alumni discussed contemporary legal issues such as This Year at the Supreme Court, Free Speech, and The Reliability of Eyewitness Identification.

The alumni panelists had a variety of careers and experiences that demonstrate how versatile a Juris Doctor degree is.

“One of the benefits [of Pre-Law Days] which I did not anticipate was meeting so many fine lawyers who were also Ohio University alums, ” said Attorney Jim Workman.

Participants who helped make 2017 Pre-Law Day a success were:

• Kate McGarvey (’00 Political Science): Director for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus
• Rob Dorans (’09 Political Science): Legal counsel for Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio
• Yousef Faroniya (’05 Journalism) : Attorney at the Law Offices of Yousef M. Faroniya
• Robert Foehl (Business): Professor in the Ohio University College of Business
• Joseph Gibson (’05 Political Science): Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Special Assistant United States Attorney in Columbus, Ohio
• Magistrate Julie Geiser: Magistrate in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
• Judge Terri Jamison: Judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division – Juvenile Branch
• Daniel Kemp (’67 Government): retired, Associate General Counsel for Duke Energy
• Jere Krakoff: ACLU National Prison Project, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Neighborhood Legal Services, author
• Doug Lowe: Attorney at the Law Office of W. Douglas Lowe
• Morgan Lyles (’10 Journalism): Senior Staff Counsel with the Ohio Department of Agriculture
• Patrick McGee: Athens City Council, Managing Attorney of the Center for Student Legal Services
• Tracy Meek (’03 Legal Communication): Athens Chief City Prosecutor
• David Meyer (’92 Business Administration): Founding principal of Meyer Wilson law firm
• Marc Myers (’73 Mathematics): President of Blaugrund Haynes Kessles Myers & Postalakis Inc. in Worthington Ohio
• Marisa Saber (’03 Political Science Pre-Law): Member at Cozen O’Connor in Chicago
• Damon Scott (’90 Communication): Administrator for the Office of Professional Standards within the Department of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland
• Micah Siegal (’05 Political Science): General Counsel to Fuyao Glass America Inc.
• John Stember (’72 Honors College, Cutler Fellow): Attorney at Stumber Cohn + Davidson-Welling, LLC
• Zachary Tidaback (’07 Philosophy): Attorney with Mollica Gall Sloan & Sillery
• James Workman Jr. (’70 Business): Retired from Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office
• Elizabeth Young (’13 Political Science Pre-Law): Attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City

“We had an incredible group of Ohio University alumni and friends in legal professions return for Pre-Law Days this year,” said Ohio University’s Pre-Law Specialist Larry Hayman. “They reflected the diversity of the legal profession in terms of their undergraduate backgrounds, law schools, practice areas, careers, and life experiences,” he said.

“I encourage any student who is interested in entering the legal profession to meet with current practicing lawyers and JDs in other careers to learn about their education, training, careers, and lifestyle choices. This gives students an opportunity to assess their own skills, talents, and interests to help them determine if a law degree is a good fit for them. Pre-Law Days provide students an excellent opportunity to do all of these things—as well as engage in networking and explore internships with other Bobcats.”

This year’s Pre-Law Day was sponsored by the Center for Law, Justice & Culture.