Archive Posts
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Tommies at Heart
Having a clear and concise mission statement is integral to any business organization and is a powerful way to convey the direction of the organization. We are taught that a mission statement should answer questions such as What is our purpose? And Why do we exist? I have no doubt that when the founders of…
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Self-reflection, 6 years post-law school
There’s nothing better to bring you back into self-reflective mode than going back to the University of St. Thomas School of Law and catching up with favorite professors. A few months back, I was at a St. Thomas function where I ran into one of the most truly influential teachers in my life, Professor Neil… -
How to Think Like a Lawyer
I never wanted to be a lawyer, I just wanted to help people. Before I went to law school I had spent a career working in faith-based nonprofits, initially working with children suffering from mental illness and addiction, and later working on behalf of new immigrants trying to adjust to life in the United States.… -
Living the Mission as a Business Attorney
The University of St. Thomas School of Law, as a Catholic law school, is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. These are probably not the first words that come to mind when you think about utility rate cases and commercial lending transactions.… -
A volunteer’s reflection on a journey toward pro bono publico
On Thursday, March 20, 2014, I had the honor and pleasure of presenting at a CLE sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton’s St. Thomas More Society of the Legal Profession. The one-hour ethics CLE manifested my ability to engage in self-deprecating humor regarding my Wheel of Fortune bomb out and was an opportunity to share… -
Unexpected landings
I never saw myself working for the federal government, particularly in the field of immigration. I started my career as an immigration lawyer, zealously advocating for the downtrodden and weary, while representing a few businesses to pay the bills. I was an idealist and I loved my job. I could see on a daily basis… -
10 years as a public defender
2014 marks significant milestones for me. May brings the 10-year anniversary of my graduation from law school. By September, I will have been a public defender for 10 years. This decade following law school has been the most challenging of my life. I have grown from an unattached, carefree 24-year-old into a 34-year-old who is… -
Putting the "coach" in lawyer
Student: Okay, so I want to impeach the witness. Me: Right, that sounds like a good idea here. What he just said doesn’t match what’s in his affidavit. Student: Yeah, okay. So what do I do? Me: You know this! We talked about this! Student: So, I ask to approach? (I nod, and he begins… -
Moot court team advances to national competition
University of St. Thomas School of Law moot court team members Rachelle Velgersdyk, Parker Olson, and James Todd emerged from a 33-team regional tournament in Las Vegas on March 1 to advance to the National Appellate Advocacy Competition Finals held April 10-12 in Chicago. The UST Law team bested teams from the University of Minnesota,…