On October 21, 2026, the SHSU Pre-Law Society welcomed Walker County District Attorney Will Durham to campus for a discussion on law, public service, and the realities of a legal career. Students had the opportunity to hear directly from the county’s chief prosecutor about his experiences in the legal profession, the challenges of pursuing justice, and the lessons he has learned throughout his career. For anyone considering law school or a future in public service, it was an insightful and engaging evening.
One of the aspects of Durham’s presentation that resonated most with me was his career journey. He earned a business degree from the University of Texas before attending St. Mary’s University School of Law, then began his career as a prosecutor. After spending time practicing personal injury law, he eventually returned to public service and later became Walker County District Attorney. Hearing about the different paths his career took was reassuring. For me personally, I’ve often felt pressure to have the future mapped out straight, but Durham’s story showed me that meaningful careers can often be shaped by unexpected opportunities and experiences. When he was asked about his switches between the government and private sector, he noted that the government side “kept calling him back, and it was a call he couldn’t refuse”.
Durham also shared his perspectives on some of the most difficult areas of criminal law. He spoke about juvenile justice and the challenge of balancing accountability with the belief that young people can learn from their mistakes and change. He emphasized that sometimes children can show no signs of rehabilitation, and for the safety of the community, they must be put away, as demonstrated by multiple cases he personally worked on. At the same time, he emphasized his office’s commitment to aggressively prosecuting child sex offenders and protecting victims, at every step of the process. One case he shared highlighted that sometimes the pursuit of justice means saving victims from the stress and turmoil of trial procedure, and the lengths his team goes for the process to be as smooth and as pain-free as possible.
The most impactful moment of the evening came when Durham discussed prosecutorial ethics. He reminded students that “the duty of a prosecutor is not to convict, but to administer justice.” That statement has stayed with me since the meeting. In a profession often portrayed as being about winning cases, Durham emphasized that the true responsibility of a prosecutor is to seek justice fairly and ethically. His words offered a powerful reminder that law is ultimately a profession built on service, integrity, and accountability. When asked about community outreach, he also emphasized the importance of educating and assisting everyday citizens as well in matters of the law, so that way everyone gets the knowledge and know-how to better protect themselves and loved ones. He hosts weekly education sessions, as well as other events aimed at increasing neighbors’ knowledge of the law.
The meeting concluded with Pre-Law Society elections. While most of the positions were decided by acclamation (they were unopposed), we did have a race for President. Both Tania Ramirez and Allie Plunk selflessly stepped up to serve as President, and following brief speeches and a close contest, Tania Ramirez was named President. The officers for the next academic year are:
- President: Tania Ramirez
- Vice President Marketing: Olivia McCaughan
- Vice President Finance: Nataly Elizondo
- Vice President Membership: Ruthie Passmore
- Historian (Blogs): Gabe Kranz-Danet
- Historian (Photos): Isis Hollis
- Secretary: Isabella Hollis
Looking ahead, the Pre-Law Society has an exciting lineup of events, including:
- Nov 9: Mini Law School Fair (3:30-5:00pm): https://forms.gle/MxkYPYHWyfjBA8hR9
- Nov 10: Former FBI Agent Christopher Combs (first law-enforcement agent on the scene at the Pentagon on 9-11) (6:00-7:45pm): https://forms.gle/smJwwpqGz5hbCvtL6
- Nov 16: “PVIL…Separate but Equal?” (6:00-8:30pm): https://forms.gle/L7z748PiLTUV3eoi6
On November 18, we’ll have our final official PLS visit, featuring a visit from the Texas Special Prosecution Unit. As always, be on the lookout for more information @shsuleap and @prelawsocietyshsu on Instagram for the latest!
