Ohio University’s first virtual Pre-Law Day brought attorneys, judges, and students from all over the country together to explore the legal profession. On Nov. 12, over 60 students and 21 alumni gathered over Microsoft Teams to share experiences and ask question about what it means to pursue law. The event takes place every fall and is hosted by the Center for Law, Justice & Culture.
The event began with two sets of four concurrent panels, the most popular being “Law School Advice” and “Women in Law.” Each of these panels presented lively discussion in which invaluable advice and many dynamic stories were shared.
Olivia Gerammo was particularly grateful for the “Law School Advice” panel as she is currently in the law school application process. She is a senior studying English Creative Writing and Sociology-Criminology with a minor in Political Science and a Certificate in Law, Justice & Culture. This is her third year attending Pre-Law Day and she continues to benefit. ““I met impressive attorneys who were more than willing to answer my questions and offer me advice, which is very helpful to me as I navigate the [law school] application process. I’m so glad that I have OU alumni in the legal field who, as Bobcats, are eager to lend a helping hand to pre-law students such as myself. As always, Pre-Law Day is an invaluable networking experience that every student interested in practicing law can benefit from.”
Among other Pre-Law Day panels were “Criminal Law,” “Corporate Law,” and “Pursuing Your Dream Job or Internship.” Each panel discussion was led by a moderator and five to six alumni guests. After introductions, students were given the opportunity to ask questions pertinent to their interests and hear from attorneys in various stages of their professional careers.
This event is helpful for students from different backgrounds and years in school. First generation and first-year student Makayla Walter is studying English Pre-Law with a Certificate in Law, Justice & Culture. “The opportunity to learn from attorneys that also had access to Ohio University’s ever-expanding pre-law community was invaluable. They were able to share what organizations, majors, and certificates they used to prepare them for law school and their future careers. As a first-generation college student, I am so appreciative of the opportunity to hear from such encouraging and passionate legal professionals.”
OHIO’s pre-law community was able to engage with alumni through panels and roundtables, as well as the keynote speaker by Olayemi Olurin, Esq. Olurin graduated from Ohio University in 2015 after majoring in Political Science Pre-Law and African American Studies with a Certificate in Law, Justice & Culture. She received her Juris Doctor in 2018 from St. John’s University School of Law.
Olurin writes, “I’m truly grateful and honored to have been invited to do the keynote speech. OU, CLJC and all of my former professors and mentors were pivotal in my life and journey and I was thrilled to be able to relive that experience a little bit and share that love with the future lawyers OU is producing.”
Pre-Law Day is monumental in connecting Ohio University pre-law students with potential future mentors, internship directors, coworkers, and bosses.
Meet the Pre-Law Day Panelists
Fred Bryant, Esq. – Former U.S. Army Colonel and Senior Legal Advisor, Former President and Owner of Federal Land Reuse Solutions, LLC.
Laura Budd, Esq. – Partner of Weaver and Budd Law, PLLC., Member of the Board of Directors for the Mecklenburg County Bar Association
Hannah Caldwell, Esq. – Associate Attorney at Thompson Hine LLP.
David Crane, Esq. – Founding Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Former Director of the Office of Intelligence Review in the Department of Defense, Founder of Impunity Watch, Adjunct Professor at the Washington College of Law of American University
Lindsey Donehue-Angler, Esq. – Incoming County Prosecutor of Guernsey County, Former Chief Assistant Criminal Prosecutor
Amy Flowers, Esq. – Attorney at Ice Miller’s Litigation Practice, Former Bailiff to Judge Kimberly Cocroft of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Robert Foehl, Esq. – Professor in Ohio University’s College of Business, Former President and Chief Legal Officer for ACA International, Former Director of Corporate Compliance and Ethics for Target
Joseph Gibson, Esq. – Chief City Prosecutor for the City of Columbus, Former Special Assistant United States Attorney in National Security Cases, Former Appointee of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
Brian Grube, Esq. – Of Counsel at Jones Day, Former Staff Attorney in the Bureau of Competition at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Anika Holland, Esq. – Bredhoff Law Fellow at Bredhoff and Kaiser, Future Clerk for the Honorable James Donato of the United States District Court
Megan Kelley, Esq. – Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations for National Church Residences, Vice Chair of the Ohio Ethics Commission
Doug Lowe, Esq. – Owner and Partner of his own Private Practice, Board Member of the Buckeye Valley BIA, and Founder of the Healthy Kids Network
Jennifer Mulrooney, Esq. – Lead In-House Counsel for FedEx Ground, Former Associate Attorney for the Cohen and Grigsby, P.C. Firm
Olayemi Olurin, Esq. – Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice in Queens, New York
Callista Puchmeyer, Esq. – Chief Counsel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John H. Glenn Research Center
Micah Siegal, Esq. – Legal Office for PG Group, LLC., Former General Counsel to Fuyao Glass America Inc.
Sarah Tobin, Esq. – Managing Counsel for Corporate and Shared Services at Direct Energy
Sarah Welch, Esq. – Law Clerk for Chief Judge William H. Pryor on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Leah Wolfe, Esq. – Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Coordinator for the Southern District of Ohio’s Litigation Support Unit
Rebecca Wyss, Esq. – Staff Attorney at the American Friends Service Committee’s Immigrant Rights Program
Meet the Moderators
Dr. Amanda Cox – Cox is an Assistant Professor of Instructor in Sociology. She is a Center of Law, Justice & Culture affiliate faculty members.
Dr. Haley Duschinski – Duschinski is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and the Graduate Director of the M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture.
Dr. Smoki Musaraj – Musaraj is the Director of the Center of Law, Justice & Culture. Additionally, she is an Associate Professor of Anthropology.
Dr. Holly Ningard – Ningard is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sociology. She is a Center of Law, Justice & Culture affiliate faculty member.
Dr. Kevin Uhalde – Uhalde is an Associate Professor of History, as well as the History Pre-Law Advisor. He is a Center of Law, Justice & Culture affiliate faculty member.
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