Law schools to visit Bryant

At the 4th Annual Law Forum on Oct. 15, Bryant students can talk to representatives from eight law schools.

Michael Edwards ’07 has some advice for Bryant students aspiring to go on to law school: study early and often for the Law School Admissions Exam (LSAT), and make Ron Washburn, a lecturer in the history and social sciences department (and Bryant’s pre-law advisor), one of your most-trusted mentors.

Edwards should know what he’s talking about. In September, he started his second year at the Roger Williams School of Law, where he hopes to continue the momentum of his first year. He ranked at the top of his class and was a member of the honors program, the school’s law review, and a scholarship recipient.

Michael Edwards ’07 recently started his second year at the Roger Williams School of Law.

Students who are interested in learning more about law school can stop by Bryant’s 4th Annual Law Forum on Wednesday, October 15, between11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Koffler Rotunda. Eight schools including Boston College, Suffolk University, New England School of Law, Southern New England School of Law, Quinnipiac University, Western New England School of Law, Roger Williams University, and the University of Connecticut will have representatives on hand to talk to interested students.

About 40 Bryant students a year have taken the LSAT over the course of the last few years.

From Bryant to law school

Edwards enrolled at Bryant with the intention of going to law school after graduation. He thought the background he would gain in business would provide good experience for corporate/commercial transactional law.

Not long into his tenure as a Bryant student, Edwards’ interest in governmental affairs and fascination with the legal system led him to change his major to global studies.

“My profound interest in politics and a realization that globalization is the future, even to a large extent within the legal profession, is what led me to this great major,” he says.

John Dietrich, associate professor of history and social sciences, was one of most influential professors Michael Edwards '07 had at Bryant.

In addition to the guidance of Washburn, John Dietrich, associate professor of history and social sciences, was instrumental in Edwards’ success at Bryant.

“The four classes I took with him were some of the most intellectually stimulating of any I ever experienced,” he says. “Professor Dietrich’s ability to teach complex political issues in such an understandable way was unprecedented.”

Learning on the job

Edwards was able to take these classroom experiences to an internship in Attorney General Patrick Lynch’s office, which he secured through the Rhode Island State Government Internship Program. He then worked in the R.I. Public Defender’s Office.

“Both of these opportunities provided me with hands-on legal experience and have been great talking points during job interviews,” he says.

After completing his Bryant degree, which included minors in legal studies and political science as well as a strong background in business, Edwards was ready to tackle the challenge of law school.

“By the time graduation came around, I was extremely well rounded and ready to study law,” he says.

Opening doors, creating opportunities

Edwards was excited to learn about Bryant’s new Politics and Law major, which he says combines areas that are constantly intertwined.

“Success in law school is dependant on your understanding of our government and why it does what it does on a daily basis,” says Edwards, who will earn his law degree in 2010.

(Photo on the left) President Ron Machtley and (Photo on the right) Ron Washburn, a lecturer in the history and social sciences department and Bryant’s pre-law advisor, have helped Michael Edwards '07 identify career opportunities.

He is already planning for the future and points out that Washburn and President Ron Machtley have been instrumental in providing advice and helping him explore career opportunities. He has already landed interviews with international private law firms in Boston and Providence for summer associate positions.

“A law degree is one of the most versatile degrees one can attain,” says Edwards. “Armed with a Bryant bachelor’s degree and soon an RWU law degree, I look forward to launching a successful career.”