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Protecting intellectual property: Meet 1L James Finn
Mar 27, 2025Even as a high school student, 1L James Finn knew he wanted to earn his JD and practice patent law. He entered the University of Minnesota intending to earn a bachelor’s degree in science and then apply for law school, but he realized he needed more education first.
Video spotlights: Get to know seven Utah Law students
Mar 26, 2025Want to know more about life at Utah Law? We interviewed seven current Utah Law students—Jennifer Erickson, Dalton Yerke, Grace Greene, Andrew Fender, Anthony Coombs, Bre Hickerson, and Abigail Alexander—about their law school experiences in the latest Student Spotlight video series.
Expanding access to justice: Meet Jessica Guardiola
Mar 24, 20253L and Kansas native Jessica Guardiola worked at a nonprofit providing legal services to undocumented minors in government detention. The experience made Guardiola realize she wanted to attend law school to continue to help undocumented people.
Law of artificial intelligence: Professor Matthew Tokson prepares students for AI legal issues
Mar 12, 2025Fourth Amendment scholar Professor Matthew Tokson has taught at Utah Law since 2017, focusing on law and technology and originally teaching a cyberlaw seminar. In January, he began teaching a new seminar about what has become a new research interest: artificial intelligence (AI).
Bench to Bedside: Students get practical IP law experience through medical device competition
Mar 06, 2025What do OrthoBolt, Noriscope, CathSecure, AdhesioNix, and T-Scope have in common? They’re all award-winning medical innovations designed by Utah teams in the annual Bench to Bedside (B2B) program—.and Utah Law students have a unique role in helping these teams protect their inventions.
Par for the course: Former college golfer and Senate intern Makena Rauch returns to Washington, D.C. for spring program
Feb 26, 2025Idaho native Makena Rauch originally lived in Washington, D.C., when she interned for Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo in summer 2022. Now, nearly three years later, Rauch is once again living in the nation’s capital as part of the S.J. Quinney College of Law and Hinckley Institute’s Spring to D.C. program.
Common cents: Utah Law makes law school more affordable through scholarships and fellowships
Feb 20, 2025Nearly 95% of Utah Law students received scholarships or fellowship awards in 2023-2024, part of the School of Law’s commitment to providing generous financial assistance. See a few of the scholarship and fellowship opportunities available for S.J. Quinney College of Law students.
Jennifer Erickson finds connection in the online Master of Legal Studies program
Feb 13, 2025Jennifer Erickson, director of operational risk management for Zions Bancorporation, is enrolled in the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, gaining a better understanding of the law and how it applies to her work without having to become a practicing attorney. She is excited to earn a master’s degree in only one year.
Connecting through checkers: Abigail Alexander leads Utah Law game group
Feb 06, 2025When 2L Abigail Alexander joined the Board Game Club as a first-year law student, she enjoyed the camaraderie but readily admits that she prefers card games like Uno or classics like checkers and Mancala over board games. When the group’s leader was graduating and asked if she would take over the club, however, Alexander knew she could widen its reach.
Practical knowledge: James Duffin shares value in MLS degree
Feb 04, 2025James Duffin earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Utah State University, initially intending to become a religious educator. However, his interests shifted toward a career in law.
Stretching yourself: Bre Hickerson leads Yoga for Stressed Out Law Students group
Jan 29, 2025When 2L Bre Hickerson attended a student event at Utah Law before committing to a law school, a tour guide showed her the building’s yoga and meditation study room, a gym with an assortment of yoga mats, and a food pantry. Reflecting on that time two years later, Hickerson recalls that the wellness centers helped to make her law school decision clear.
Gain confidence through practical experiences: 2L Constance Holder’s antidote to imposter syndrome
Jan 23, 2025Constance Holder knew at a young age that she wanted to pursue a legal career. Her desire to attend law school solidified each year in school as she cultivated her interests in persuasive writing, debate, and history. Then, as an undergraduate at Drexel University, she became even more inspired to attend law school.
Utah Law student organizations: Learn more about the J. Reuben Clark Society
Jan 14, 2025One of the easiest ways for students to make friends and network at Utah Law is by joining a student organization—and there are nearly 600 to choose from. Lauren Finch, who serves as president of Utah Law’s J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS), became involved in the chapter during her first year of law school after learning about it at the student organization fair.
“Being kind is a choice”: Andrew Fender shares lessons learned in law school
Jan 06, 20253L Andrew Fender earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting and had begun his career in the controllers division of Goldman Sachs. Though he enjoyed the work, a life-changing event helped Fender decide to pursue a long-time dream to become an attorney.
Culture of camaraderie: Find out why 3L Hailey Winn has enjoyed Utah Law
Dec 10, 20243L Hailey Winn was a competitive swimmer as a young teen and had her heart set on becoming a marine biologist one day. That dream changed in eighth grade.
Staying true to myself: 3L Grace Greene navigates law school
Nov 26, 2024Prior to law school, 3L Grace Greene actively participated in several projects with a common theme. She researched intervention practices for sexual assault survivors, worked for Court-Appointed Special Advocates as a legislative intern, addressed alcohol abuse and college drinking culture issues, and even worked on a few local political campaigns.
Students helping students become lawyers: 3L Parker Airmet forms Utah Law’s student wellness community
Nov 19, 20243L Parker Airmet admits that he didn’t know much about what being a lawyer meant while growing up, but he did know the value of hard work from his parents, who both showed him how to provide for a family. With this example in tow, along with interests in U.S. government and the Constitution, Airmet decided to apply to law school.
Making positive changes: Meet 3L Hayley Robertson
Nov 18, 20243L Hayley Robertson’s father is a police officer, and she recalls constantly asking him questions about every detail and taking an extra interest in his job as a child.
Supporting veterans: Meet 2L Alessandra Coote and learn more about Utah Law’s Veteran Support Center
Nov 11, 20242L Alessandra Coote attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, earning her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. She spent five years as an engineer officer in the U.S. Army and also graduated from the Sapper Leader Course as a combat engineer.
Video spotlights: Meet six Utah Law students
Nov 08, 2024Six current Utah Law students—Valeria Jimenez, Brock Smith, Rachel Prickett Passey, Nate Bramhall, Kiersten Vandervelde, and Seth LaPray—talk about their law school experiences in the latest Student Spotlight video series.
Protecting creativity: 3L Matt Petersen pursues career in IP law
Nov 05, 2024Though 3L Matt Petersen comes from a family of multiple lawyers and worked as a runner for a law firm in high school, he wasn’t set on a career in law and had planned to apply to medical school instead. While earning his bachelor’s degree in English and biology at Utah Valley University, Petersen held two different jobs that steered him toward law school.