{"id":25528,"date":"2025-09-26T12:00:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T16:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/?p=25528"},"modified":"2025-10-02T15:25:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T19:25:29","slug":"aspiring-law-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/aspiring-law-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Group Seeks Alumni Who Work in Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Aspiring Law Student Organization (ALSO) at Kalamazoo College is seeking alumni to return to campus to talk with students about their journeys in the legal profession. Group leaders say those conversations are among the most valuable ways to show students what\u2019s possible with a law degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHearing from someone who sat in the same classrooms and then went on to pass the bar is incredibly valuable,\u201d said Libby McFarlen \u201926, ALSO\u2019s president. \u201cAlums can talk about how K prepared them in a way that other schools can\u2019t.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McFarlen is leading the effort to reinvigorate ALSO after the group had been relatively quiet in recent years. She stepped into the presidency at the encouragement of last year\u2019s leader, who believed her passion for the field and professional connections could help strengthen the organization. She now works alongside Vice President Laura Goia \u201927, an exchange student from Romania; Secretary Ella Miller \u201926; and Treasurer Isabelle Mason \u201927 to establish ALSO as a go-to resource for students considering careers in law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major focus this year is to help students see law as a less-intimidating, more accessible field. McFarlen wants ALSO to balance serious programming\u2014such as alumni panels and attorney visits\u2014with lighter events designed to spark interest. For example, students can enjoy an upcoming movie night featuring the comedy film Legally Blonde<\/em>, and also attend one of the standout events of this fall:\u00a0an October 22 campus visit from the assistant director of admissions at Harvard Law School<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through these events, McFarlen hopes to showcase the variety of paths available in law. \u201cA lot of people think being a lawyer is only about arguing in a courtroom, but there are so many areas\u2014sports law, election law, patent law,\u201d she said. \u201cStudents deserve to see that breadth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McFarlen\u2019s own experiences highlight the importance of real-world connections. Over the summer, she completed a legal internship with the City of Grand Rapids, working alongside prosecuting and litigation attorneys. As the only undergraduate among law school interns, she conducted legal research, prepared cases, and assisted attorneys in court. The experience confirmed her interest in criminal prosecution and underscored how rare it can be for undergraduates to access hands-on legal opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was the youngest in the office, but it didn\u2019t matter,\u201d she said. \u201cI learned so much, and I want other students to have those opportunities, too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, ALSO is considering initiatives such as a mock trial team, law-themed trivia nights and panel discussions with government attorneys. McFarlen emphasized that inclusivity will remain central to the group\u2019s mission along with it providing a support system and a launching pad for students whether they\u2019re preparing for law school or simply curious about the profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLaw can seem like a predominantly white, elite field,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want students of color and students from all identities to see attorneys who look like them and know this path is open to them. Anyone is welcome to join whether they\u2019re studying for the LSAT or just wondering what lawyers actually do.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Aspiring Law Student Organization President Libby McFarlen ’26 wants Kalamazoo College students to see a breadth of opportunities available to them when they pursue the legal field.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Calling K Alumni in Law<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Aspiring Law Student Organization (ALSO) wants to hear from you. If you\u2019re a Kalamazoo College graduate working in the legal field, students would love to learn from your journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to get involved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n