Featured Alumna

Each month, CPD features a law student or alum who has shown ownership of his or her career development.  This is an excellent way for you to learn from and get to know your peers! 

Name	Rachel Myers
Class	2006
Current Job	Associate Attorney at Dady & Garner
Hometown	Highmore, SD
College	Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD)

Reasons for attending UST School of Law:

I knew that I wanted to attend law school in the Twin Cities.  After considering all four law schools, I ultimately chose St. Thomas, mainly because I was excited at the thought of being part of something new.  I was eager to play a role in shaping UST Law’s future, and hopeful that I could somehow make a difference.  Additionally, I was extremely impressed with the professors and the staff, and their focus on and accessibility to the students. Overall, St. Thomas just felt like a good fit for me.

One way I connected with the Mission of UST Law:

UST Law’s Mission was definitely emphasized throughout my legal education, which was somewhat refreshing.  While in law school, my professors taught us the law, but also encouraged us to take into account our own moral compasses when advocating for clients.  It was nice to be in an environment that supported the idea that the law was not completely separate from my personal life and beliefs.  As a practicing attorney, I try to question the law and think about what is fair and what is right, rather than simply making legal arguments for the sake of argument.

My career planning advice: 

Think about why you went to law school and what you really want to do with your law degree before you commit to any particular job or career path.  Set up informational interviews, learn as much as you can about the career opportunities available to you and make your decisions from there.  

What I like best about my current position:

Dady & Garner specializes in franchise litigation and, additionally, only represents franchisees, dealers, and distributors in their disputes with their franchisors, manufacturers, and suppliers.  By working for such a specialized firm, in such a niche area of the law, I feel that I have begun to develop somewhat of an expertise in franchise litigation. Dady & Garner has a nationwide practice, which has given me the opportunity to practice in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. Because I work for a smaller firm, I get a greater level of responsibility than I would otherwise – within nine months I had worked on three federal appeals.

How I got my job:

Dady & Garner participated in OCI during my second year of law school. I interviewed with the firm, and received an offer for a clerkship.  I worked for the firm part-time during the spring semester of my 2L year and full-time during the following summer. In the fall of my 3L year, Dady & Garner made me an offer for full-time employment upon graduation from law school and passage of the bar exam.  I accepted the offer, and am now beginning my second year with the firm as an associate attorney.

A little known fact about me:

I was the 1999 South Dakota Snow Queen.

 

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 The view expressed in this profile are solely those of the student, and may not reflect the view of the Office of Career & Professional Development, or the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

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