March 10, 2014

Snapshot of an Almost JD: Bridgett Shephard

Get to know current Lewis & Clark Law Students through JD Candidate Halah Ilias’s blog posts on her classmates.

“I met Bridgett last semester when we sat next to each other in Negotiations class.  She is brilliant.  She also is incredibly organized, respectful, kind, and hardworking.  Any employer would be lucky to have her.”

   -Halah

Halah asked Bridgett the following questions.  Here are her answers:

What’s your educational background?

I spent my freshman year at Boston College before transferring to Colorado College in Colorado Springs. I graduated from Colorado College in 2011 with a bachelors degree in International Political Economy and a minor in Education. 

What about your family background?

I grew up in Evergreen, Colorado. I come from a family of four kids. My older sister is also a 3L at CU-Boulder. My younger brother recently graduated college and he is a wildland firefighter. My youngest sister is a senior in high school. My parents run Shephard Realty, our family real estate/property management business, in my hometown. 

Why did you decide to go to law school?

As crazy as it sounds, I knew I wanted to go to law school, particularly to become a criminal prosecutor, ever since I was in seventh grade. I did a “Day on the Job” shadowing with my local District Attorney’s office and I loved everything about the work. I competed in high school mock trial and during college I spent one summer interning at the Pima County Attorney’s Office in Tucson, AZ. Spending time in the [mock] courtroom and working for practicing prosecutors confirmed my desire to go to law school. 

What is your favorite part about Lewis & Clark?

I chose Lewis & Clark because I wanted a small, supportive, and engaging law school experience. I knew that I wouldn’t learn well and thrive at a cut-throat, extremely competitive school. Lewis & Clark has exceeded my expectations. My classmates are friendly and helpful and my professors are approachable, interesting people. Additionally, I am thrilled with the practical experience that I have gotten at Lewis & Clark. There is so much to learn beyond classroom lectures, and between the 1L Appellate Briefs, the Lewis & Clark Legal Clinic, the Moot Court: Client Counseling competition, and an externship at a local District Attorney’s office, I know I am graduating with tangible skills that will be immediately useful in practice.

What is your least favorite part about Lewis & Clark?

I truly have no complaints. Parking can be frustrating, but having to walk to and from your car is not bad thing when 1) you sit at a desk most of the day and 2) we go to school on a campus that is this beautiful. 

What are your future job and career goals?

After passing the bar, I am hoping to work as a criminal prosecutor. I am still deciding whether or not to stay in Oregon or move back home to Colorado. Choosing which bar exam to take and evaluating job prospects is not an easy task, but I think Lewis & Clark has prepared me well and I am very appreciative of all the guidance and assistance that I have received from the Career & Professional Development team!

What do you think prospective students should know about law school?

There is no “right” way to approach classes, studying, outlining, etc. As a 1L I was really overwhelmed with trying to find the best way to organize the massive amount of information that I received every day in each of my classes. In the end, I found it really helpful to talk to other students (especially upper division students), about their organization methods. Once I had seen a few people’s methods, I developed my own strategy and I am still preparing for class and outlining using the same method that I developed 1L year.

What is an interesting part about your background?  Or in other words, how do you contribute to the diversity of Lewis & Clark?

A lot of students come to Lewis & Clark for the fantastic environmental law experience. I think that my interests and experiences in criminal law and crime victim rights allow me to contribute to the diversity of Lewis & Clark. Additionally, I came straight to law school after graduating college, making me one of the younger students in our class.

 

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