Lauren Laundis (JD 09)

What were you doing before law school?

I was teaching. I taught two years of middle school science and a year and a half of high school biology. I was going to law school and teaching at one point. I've gone back every summer to teach high school summer school, because I love the students.

Why did you decide on law school?

For years people have told me to become an attorney, but I never agreed. Once I came to terms with it, I really loved it. It was literally a whim to come to law school. I woke up one day and told my husband I would take the LSAT and apply to law school. I didn't know how much work it would be.

What is your favorite subject?

In terms of content, I have enjoyed two classes: Criminal Law because of crazy fact patterns and Patent Law because of the science.

Can you share any interesting stories about your law school experience?

I have a 3 year old daughter who sometimes asks me, "Are you going to school or work?" I'd love to tell her it's all work. First semester law school was really hard, for everyone. I didn't really know that getting to the right answer wasn't what they cared about, but with a science background that's what I was trained to do. Law school changes the way you think and who you are. When I allowed law school to make me think differently, it worked. From first semester to second semester, I changed some things. I studied, which I never had to do much of before law school. I learned how to do the analysis. I understood what conclusory meant. Now, working as a TA, I understand that what we think is simple; the analysis isn't as simple for incoming students.

What has been your biggest source of motivation?

My friends and I say this: the first year you stay because it's exciting and you get to say you're in law school. The second year you stay because you've invested so much money. The third year you stay because you're almost done and want to cross the finish line.

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not in law school?

I like to ride horses. I would like to someday own a horse.

If you weren't a lawyer, what would you be?

If I didn't have to worry about money and could afford to be a starving artist, I would act. I went on casting calls when I was little and had an agent, but I was too shy. I'm still fairly shy. If I'm in a room of people I don't know, I become pretty introverted. While I am teaching, I am okay in front of a large crowd of people that I don't know, but if it's a social event… that is a different story! If I weren't so shy, I would audition for American Idol. Can you sing? Well… I'm too shy to figure out if I really can, but some people have told me I can. It's sort of a "catch-22".

Do you watch Law and Order or other law shows and notice inaccuracies?

I can't bring myself to watch them since working at the DA's office. I notice too many inaccuracies.

Do you have any advice for other law students?

Remember that your grades are NOT who you are. You are no less intelligent when you see your grades than before you saw them. It's easy to feel that you're less than who you thought you were before you came to law school. It's important to know that there are hundreds of students who didn't get a seat in law school, but you did. Stay the course.

Jenny Homer would like to thank Lauren for being such a wonderful interviewee and member of the GGU community. Ms. Homer graduated from GGU in May 2008 with a JD and is currently a teaching fellow in the Academic Development Program.