Mid-career students find home at UF Law

 

As a practicing environmental engineer in Atlanta, Dana Mehlman (JD 10) grew frustrated dealing with attorneys who lacked a fundamental understanding of the issues that arose in her work. After almost a decade of working as an engineer, she knew she could succeed in the technical world, but was it time to venture into a new field altogether and view her environment from a different angle?

Drawn by the strength of the Environmental and Land Use Law Certificate Program and its course variety, Mehlman left Atlanta for the orange and blue halls of UF Law.

“I was up to speed on environmental aspects of the field so I wasn’t intimidated by the material,” Mehlman said. “Even now when taking depositions of engineers, as a former engineer I can do that easier than if I didn’t have a technical background. Furthermore, the engineers I have hired, as well as those hired by opposing parties, show a unique respect for me because they know I am not only an attorney but a licensed engineer as well.

This interdisciplinary focus means Mehlman stands out in the legal field for her ability to interpret what experts say and to translate it into a legal argument the court can understand. Last year, the National Law Journal recognized her as one of its inaugural “Energy & Environmental Trailblazers.”

Mehlman is just one of a growing number of students who decided mid-career to pursue a degree at UF Law. In the fall 2015 entering class, 46.5 percent of incoming students had been out of school up to four years before enrolling, and 5.8 percent had been out of school for five or more years.

“It’s really an individual decision whether you want experience in the workforce before pursuing your law degree,” said Ian McInnis, UF Law’s associate director of admissions. “It gives you experiences someone else may not have, which adds to discussion in the classroom and bolsters the learning experience. We value that because diversity here is all encompassing. It’s not just race or gender, but any qualities or experiences that make you different from someone else in the classroom and add to the conversation and depth of education you receive.”

Including students who have previous work experience with those who are viewing subjects with fresh eyes creates a dynamic atmosphere in the classroom that incorporates different perspectives and contributes to the broader goals of the professors, said Associate Dean of Student Affairs Rachel Inman.

Different perspectives incorporate not only how students view cases or side in classroom discussions, but also how they approach law school in general. Goliath Davis IV (1L) worked as a career adviser before enrolling in UF Law, and now treats law school like a full-time job.

“I get to campus by 8 or 9 a.m., whether I have class or not, and stay until around 5 pm. When I’m here, I’m working, whether studying or reading or in class, so that when I’m home I can relax,” Davis said. “It’s exhausting, but I founded my own nonprofit, Citizens for a Sustainable Future, before coming to law school, and a law degree seemed like the most practical skill I could have to grow that nonprofit.

Even without previous work experience, students can immerse themselves in fields that interest them during law school through certificate programs, clinics and conferences. Experiential work coupled with the expertise of visiting practitioners and scholars from different disciplines broaden perspectives.

UF Law students also benefit from the law school’s location on the UF campus, a major research university with a multitude of resources and scholars, which allows law students to take joint-degree programs to earn a master’s degree in related fields while pursuing their J.D. degrees.

Environmental Law Professor Alyson Flournoy noted that these opportunities allow UF Law students to transition into employment with experience and knowledge of the legal impacts in the various areas that interest their clients.

“Whether they are mid-career professionals or students coming directly from their undergraduate studies, UF Law students have the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of topics that will help them to understand their future clients’ concerns,” Flournoy said.

-By Chantelle McHugh