3L Kiersten Vandervelde grew up in East Tennessee and became fascinated with the law after taking a business law class during her undergraduate studies. Her fate was sealed after speaking with a professor who had a JD degree, and she was thrilled to learn about the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
“I have always loved the mountains out west, and in conjunction with the U’s strong academic program, I knew I had to apply. The friendliness of the school and job market was unbeatable, so it was an easy choice to attend the U for law school,” Vandervelde says.
Since then, Vandervelde has enjoyed the camaraderie among her classmates.
“The students in classes above me were so willing to give me advice and share outlines, which eased the transition into law school. It has pushed me to reach out to other students and be willing to help in any way that I can,” Vandervelde says.
Vandervelde has also been impressed with the programs available at the College of Law.
“The law school offers a wide variety of pro bono clinics, which are extremely valuable in helping students get their feet wet in working with clients,” she says. “A wide range of legal services are offered at the clinics, and I found that they helped me improve my interpersonal skills and reminded me why I wanted to go into the legal field.”
In addition, Vandervelde has learned that attending law school is more than a three-year program for legal education.
“Coming into law school, I was so focused on doing everything right and studying the maximum number of hours, but my growth has come from far more than the work I have put in,” Vandervelde says. “I have made some of my closest friends in law school and have also had time to travel, see family, and pick up new hobbies. Law school does require a significant amount of time, but the rewards it brings are far beyond the classroom.”
And Vandervelde has found those rewards outside of the classroom by helping others understand their legal rights and to access justice.
“I am most proud of my ability to learn how to use the law to help others. The legal system is very convoluted and intimidating, even to law students, so it feels rewarding to help use my education to shoulder the burden of clients,” Vandervelde says.
This summer, Vandervelde has worked at G. Eric Nielson & Associates, a plaintiff-side medical malpractice firm. She’s enjoyed her time there so much that medical malpractice has become a passion.
“The intersection of medicine and law is a very complicated yet rewarding field of law. I enjoy being challenged and having to fix problems, especially when it is for the benefit of a client who feels they have nowhere to turn,” Vandervelde says.
With graduation not too far off, Vandervelde hopes to pursue a medical malpractice career.
“I have loved my experience in Salt Lake City and plan to stay. I hope to continue my career path in medical malpractice or explore the regulatory side of health law at some point in my career,” she says. “I am open to many options, and I am thankful that S.J. Quinney College of Law has prepared me to take on any career path that I choose.”