UM Pre-Law Program Boasts 91% Placement Rate
By Phil Stempin, UM News Service
MISSOULA – The road to law school is more often a winding road than superhighway – with the occasional pot hole thrown in along the way.
For Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ law student Alyssa Campbell, the path to becoming a lawyer started with an overheated car on a backroad near Canyon Ferry. The mechanic she called for help drove the car in this broken state and blew the engine. This led to another bumpy road: small claims court.
Despite her lack of legal training, Campbell meticulously researched case law and presented a compelling argument. Impressed, the judge assumed she was a law student.
“I said no, and he said, ‘Well, you should be,’ and that moment changed everything,” said Campbell, who bounced from wildlife biology to pre-pharmacy as an undergrad. “I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
Campbell was a junior when she was inspired by this courtroom encounter, putting her on the road to UM’s Pre-Law Program. The hands-on attention given to Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ in the program has led to an impressive placement rate, with 91% of its Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ successfully entering law schools, surpassing the national average of 69%. Many enroll in UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law, while some enroll in other prestigious law schools around the country.
She was hooked after attending a meet-and-greet put on by Dr. Soazig Le Bihan, director of UM’s Pre-Law Program.
“Soazig and I talked about needing to raise my GPA to get into Montana’s law school. After that, it was straight As for me,” Campbell said. “At that point I became focused and started applying myself.”
UM's pre-law program offers advice on the classes and experiential learning opportunities Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ should pursue to cultivate the skills necessary for legal thinking and the Law School Admission Test. The pre-law program is open to all majors.
“While we have our fair share of political science majors enrolling in pre-law,” Le Bihan said, “we’ve also had some come from forestry, health, math and music.
“Many times, these Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ plan to combine their original majors with law to eventually practice in the fields they care about, she added. “For example, an environmental studies major may work toward a career in environmental law.”
Campbell now works as an attorney focusing on civil litigation at Milodragovich, Dale & Steinbrenner PC in Missoula and has recently accepted a shareholder offer.
“Pre-law made going to law school seem more realistic,” said Campbell. “It’s not just a pipe dream, you can do it.”
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Contact: Phil Stempin, director of events, marketing and communications, UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law, 406-243-6509, phil.stempin@umontana.edu.