MLS alum Leigh Ann Bauman initially wanted to be an attorney but decided it wasn’t for her after working as a legal assistant. In fact, she left the law altogether.
“A couple years went by, and a recruiter kept calling me asking if I wanted to help open the Salt Lake office of a firm. Eventually, I jumped at the opportunity,” Bauman recalls. “After getting back into the legal field and having always wanted to pursue higher education, I thought I’d finally apply to the MLS program after looking at it for seven years.”
Bauman is now one of the program’s most recent graduates, joining 29 other students—10 fellow classmates in the in-person program and 19 in the online program—who completed their MLS degree. The graduates participated in a capstone retreat on Aug. 10, 2024, where they enjoyed lunch with MLS administration before presenting on their capstone projects. The day concluded with alumni and faculty joining them for a patio reception.
“We had a great turnout! It was a wonderful celebration with food, drinks, and an amazing community to celebrate the class of 2024. The students were ecstatic to have finished their MLS degree and enjoyed spending time with each other, their fellow alumni, and our MLS faculty,” Emily Gonzalez, MLS administration manager, says.
Benefits of the MLS program
Now in its seventh year, the MLS program is a one-year executive program educating students in the U.S. legal system. With this degree, students gain an understanding of the law and regulation without having to invest the cost or the time it takes to earn to a J.D. degree—which turned out to be a good fit for Mike Hanson (MLS ’24).
Hanson served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 30 years as an active duty and reserve officer, including combat during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and retired in 2011. Simultaneously, he worked as a firefighter with the Boise, Idaho, fire department for 24 years, retiring in 2018.
“I developed an interest in the law due to my responsibilities as a command inspector general with the Marine Corps,” Hanson says. “I frequently interacted with judge advocate generals as part of my duties, and I was impressed by their critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities. I wanted to learn how to think like a lawyer. After researching the MLS program, I believed it would answer my questions about the law without the commitment of time and money required for a J.D.”
Many students enrolled in this program—like Bauman and Hanson—already have established careers and want or need a better understanding of how the law works to be more efficient professionals in their fields. Students in the MLS class of 2024 hold a wide range of professions, including research compliance associate, library technology teacher, business system analyst, paralegal, real estate professional, and recruitment director.
Bauman, who was enrolled in the in-person program, liked the one-year time commitment and the every-other weekend format and also appreciated the professors.
“I thought that because I was just an MLS student, there would be a stigma attached to me, but all of the professors were so helpful. You could tell that each of them really cared about you as a student,” Bauman says.
Hanson, who found time management to be a particular challenge, liked the comprehensive nature of program.
“We were exposed to a broad spectrum of the law. I investigated other MLS programs, and they were more specialized in specific areas,” he says. “I thought the faculty and staff were very responsive and supportive, and I didn’t feel like we were second-class students because we enrolled in an online program.”
New additions to the MLS program
The MLS program continues to grow in size and class offerings. Beginning fall 2025, students can choose a healthcare law emphasis. And that’s not all. MLS alum Stephanie Peterson (MLS ’22) recently stepped into the role as director of Non-JD programs at the College of Law.
“I am beyond excited to oversee this program, which is deeply meaningful to me as an alum. My goal is to uphold its values while enhancing and expanding it, with the aim of establishing it as one of the top MLS programs in the country,” Peterson says. “I am extremely grateful to work with some of the best team members, and together, we are committed to ensuring this program upholds the esteemed reputation of the S.J. Quinney College of Law.”
Sharing MLS alumni successes
Many MLS alums return to their professional fields, but some have used the degree to help garner career changes, such as John Seegrist (MLS ’21), who now works as a licensed paralegal practitioner and is passionate about promoting access to justice.
Bethany Hardwig (MLS ’22) previously worked at the University of Utah’s Advancement office and then accepted a position as vice president of alumni and donor connection at the North Dakota State University Foundation in Fargo, North Dakota.
Another alum, Leah Bench (MLS ’20), enjoyed the program so much that it propelled her into pursuing a J.D. degree. She is now in her third year of law school at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
The MLS class of 2024 graduates already have ideas in mind for incorporating their newly acquired degree in their professions. Bauman, who began the program with an 11-month-old baby, ended the program with a two-year-old and pregnant with her second child. She will continue working for the administrative side of a law firm.
Hanson may be retired professionally, but he’s ready to put his new skills to work by supporting veterans.
“I am interested in helping members of the veteran community to have improved access to legal services, and I am looking into my options in that area,” he says.
Overall, students and alums alike have found ways to foster their career ambitions with the MLS degree. Check out other MLS alumni success stories.
“The MLS team continues to be impressed with the diligence, character, and integrity of our students,” Gonzalez says. “It is so gratifying for us to support such incredible individuals on their legal education journey. The class of 2024 set the stage for future cohorts to thrive in our community.”
Interested in pursuing an MLS degree? Attend the MLS program introduction webinar on Oct. 16.