Tag: Pre-Law Society

Reflections from the Capitol: A Day of Service, History, and Perspective in Austin

by Olivia Discon

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol and share a few reflections from my term as student regent. I was invited by the Governor’s Appointments Office to speak to the newly appointed student regents, which was a real honor—and a full-circle moment I didn’t take lightly. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and my time in Austin.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was being invited to the Governor’s Mansion. After a quick security check by DPS, I had the chance to tour one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Texas. The Greek Revival-style mansion was designed by Abner Cook—who, interestingly, also supervised the construction of the Walls Unit in Huntsville. That connection alone was enough to trigger my compulsive need to tie Sam Houston into everything.

Photo Courtesy of The Office of Governor Greg Abbott

I’ll admit I was a little photo-shy walking through the mansion, but that didn’t stop a few photos from happening. To my surprise, I got to greet Governor Abbott again and take a quick photo with him—inside his house, no less. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Being appointed as a student regent during my undergrad was an incredible opportunity, and I’ve felt supported at every level of my college experience. That support made moments like this possible.

As we made our way through the mansion, we passed through rooms filled with stunning 18th-century furniture—and, of course, nods to Sam Houston in almost every one. They even have a room named after him. Seeing this more glamorous side of Houston’s life, and then comparing it to his final years at the Steamboat House in Huntsville, was oddly moving. He was so committed to his principles that he gave up comfort for conviction. It’s just one of the reasons Huntsville has such a strange charm to me. Somehow, all roads in Texas lead back to it.

Even though the Governor’s Mansion is a historic landmark, it’s still a lived-in space. Just outside the window, we caught a glimpse of the Abbott family’s three golden retrievers playing in the yard. The timing of the visit couldn’t have been better—it was a great reminder of how historic homes can still be part of everyday life, thanks to organizations like the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion.

Photo Courtesy of SHSU LEAP Center, 2016

Later that afternoon, I joined Chris Covo, a former student regent for the Texas State University System, and Luke Shwartz, who was recently appointed student regent for the UT System (congrats again, Luke!). We sat down with Brent Connett for a moderated conversation about the role, what surprised us, and what advice we’d offer.

For me, the biggest takeaway was this: being a good representative can open more doors than you might expect. Investing in your professionalism, doing your research, and showing up prepared—not because you’ve “made it,” but because you’re serious about learning—goes a long way. When you present yourself as someone competent and curious, people take notice. You get to be in the room for real conversations and real opportunities.

After the panel, I stopped by to see my good friend Michelle Cardenas, who was deep in the legislative trenches as session wrapped up. She took a much-needed breather and walked me through the Governor’s Reception Hall. Watching her in action, compared to where we started—back when we walked into the Capitol for the first time with LEAP—was surreal. We’re in completely different places now, but there’s something meaningful about knowing LEAP brought us both here.

Electric Gravy
For dinner, I continued on my sappy tirade by joining Cinthia Villarreal and Michelle Cardenas at an Indian fusion restaurant—Electric Gravy.

It’s been getting a lot of local attention, including a recommendation from former LEAP Ambassador Saara Maknojia.

We started with the curry queso (which was excellent), and then I had the chicken tinga curry, Cinthia got the chicken masala, and Michelle went with the pork vindaloo. All of it was solid—definitely a fun place worth checking out.

Mount Bonnell
To wrap up the day, I visited Mount Bonnell for a great view of Lady Bird Lake. It ended up being the perfect spot to close out a long day—quiet, scenic, and full of the kind of quirky passersby you can only find in Austin.

The sun didn’t set until about 8:30 p.m., but once it started going down, it dropped fast.

I might be wrong, but I think this was the first time I ever intentionally watched a sunset. It was a nice experience!

Murder Most Foul: An April Adios

For all Pre-Law Society members, our April was the last get together of the academic year. But for one unlucky member, it was, at least in the world of fictional fun, the last meeting ever. That’s because our social involved a murder mystery, something of a theme for our sinister solicitors.

Our officers and activity committee put together treats to bribe encourage us to attend, and it worked!

A healthy 30 or so students attended, a reflection of our growing sociality as an organization.

Mikaela Baires was the unlucky victim. Indeed, she was doubly unlucky, inasmuch as the murder weapon was a laxative, giving new meaning to Shakespeare’s phrase “murder so foul” (thankfully, we did not meet at the beautiful Wynne Home this year…).

The suspects were Mikaela’s peers: Chrissy Biello…

Jose Carreno…

Katherine Burnett…

Madison Cawthon…

Neehal Ahmed…

and Niya Thompson.

Given the suspects–any one of whom is capable of such a dastardly act–it was going to be a tough evening for our social sleuths.

Thankfully, there were four clues uncovered, and throwing Miranda out the window, the suspects were questioned without their lawyers being present.

After much debate, hand-wringing, and interrogation, the law-enforcement, apparently imitating the Keystone Kops, accused the wrong person–Katherine Burnett–perhaps motivated by a strong desire to sequester her from society for eternity, or at least until they graduate.

In fairness, the actual murderer, Jose Carreno, broke the rules of the game and lied. Who knew a murderer would lie about his whereabouts? Following the game, Jose vowed that, “when things have settled a bit, I will pursue as my primary goal in life the killer or killers who slaughtered Nicole and Mr. Goldman…Mikaela Baires.”

On a happier note, Madison Cawthon led the speed debating contest.

Befitting our status as future lawyers in society–and, perhaps, lawmakers–we spent our time arguing over trivialities ending in ludicrous judgments.

Neehal Ahmed, for example, argued that it should be illegal to text a single “k” to indicate affirmation via messaging.

The debate over whether “ttyl” should be punishable by firing squad was tabled. And thank God we didn’t even get to people who use odd text colors or emojis.

It was a fitting and fun end to a record-breaking semester. With 116 members–well, now just 115 members (sorry Mikaela)–PLS garnered its largest membership ever, donated funds to a scholarship and enrichment fund, and offered pre-law students some amazing events and programs. We can’t wait to see what never year brings!

SHSU Pre-Law Among Top in Nation

Few schools offer as much as SHSU when it comes to preparing students for a career as an attorney. Sam Houston has a dedicated pre-law advising center (the LEAP Center), offers law-related internships, features a robust Pre-Law Society, boasts extensive programming, sports a Moot Court team, and ranks among the top four percent in North American Universities as a “law-school feeder,” according to the Law School Admissions Council.

One small part of this equation is students’ access to free practice LSATs under supervised conditions, professionally scored. Each long semester, the LEAP Center hosts a Mock LSAT, where students–freshmen to post-grad–can come in and take the LSAT under test-like conditions. In the past year, more than 100 students have availed themselves of this option.

This includes 45 students who showed up today, on a rainy Saturday morning for a three-hour test.

All of them are part of the Pre-Law Society at SHSU, one of the largest academic organizations on campus, and one of the largest pre-law organizations in Texas.

The simulated test provides many advantages: (1) it provides test-day conditions for the LSAT, giving students a better idea of what to expect on the day of their real test; (2) it gives students an idea of how close they are to achieving their desired score; and (3) it allows them to compete for the Pre-Law Society scholarship for LSAT test preparation.

These advantages are just some of the reasons that SHSU ranks among the top LSAT feeders in the country. Of course, that ranking also reflects the fact that SHSU students are sufficiently dedicated to their studies and their futures that will awake early on a Saturday and sit through a grueling test.

For the motivated students at SHSU or who might be considering SHSU for their pre-law studies, advising is available at the LEAP Center. Professor Mike Yawn (mike.yawn@shsu.edu) or Ms. Jean Loveall (jal072@shsu.edu) can assist students with a timeline, steps to take, and, of course, regular opportunities such as the Mock LSAT.

Simulated Law Class with Professor Val Ricks

by Chrissy Biello

Every spring, the Sam Houston Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics invites South Texas College of Law Professor Val Ricks to teach a Mock Law Class. Professor Ricks is a renowned legal mind and a national expert in contracts, among other areas of law.

Approximately thirty students attended this year’s session; any student at Sam Houston State University was able to register for the event. Before the class, participants were expected to prepare with case materials that Professor Ricks provided.

The mock case, Joseph Vian v. Mariah Carey (1993), focused on the legal concept of consideration and whether a valid contract existed between Mr. Vian and Ms. Carey. Professor Ricks opened the session by providing a working definition of law, saying that it revolves around the precise words used in legal documents.

He then employed an analogy comparing law to chess. Finding a self-identified chess player in the audience, Professor Ricks guided students to understand the parallel between chess rules and legal principles. Both systems operate within defined parameters; they require much thinking and a thorough understanding of established rules.

When moving on to the case discussion, Professor Ricks first told the class the facts of the case, then activated his random number generator to begin his use of the Socratic Method. From this, selected students were asked numerous questions about the case; Professor Ricks insisted they cite directly from the text, reinforcing his earlier point that the law is “all about the words.”

Once the class reached a general consensus on the case interpretation, Professor Ricks opened the floor for questions. Pre-Law Society President, Olivia Discon, asked what undergraduate students could do to prepare for law school. After thoughtful consideration, Professor Ricks began to speak on his own experience. He explained that studying scholastic philosophy during his undergraduate years was truly helpful; the language structure closely resembled legal texts, easing his transition into law school. 

By the end of the session, students had not only sharpened their legal reasoning skills but also gained a clearer picture of what to expect in law school. Professor Ricks once again allowed students to sit in the shoes of a law student for an hour.  By challenging students to truly understand the case and come out of their shells, he provided a better understanding of the power of precise language in the study of law.

The Pre-Law Society is Back–Beyond A Reasonable Doubt!

by Olivia Discon

After a quick recess for Winter Break, the Pre-Law Society (PLS) reconvened for our very first (official) meeting of the semester! With many important items to cover, including some general business, exciting upcoming events, and the election of our Secretary and Vice President of Marketing positions for this semester, our members were prepared to deliberate. And in great numbers, as well! Once more, the Pre-Law Society has broken its membership record with an astounding 116 members.

Dr. Chris Thompson, a Business Law Professor at Sam Houston State University and local attorney, joined us as our guest speaker for the evening.

Before jumping into the engaging discussion with Dr. Thompson, there were a few matters to cover. The group, very graciously, allowed me to go over these items and participated in a meeting in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Dr. Thompson would later note that parliamentary procedure is a key element of the legal field, and through such participation, we are gaining valuable experience in our young professional careers.

We had quite a few members who ran for office in PLS. Niya Thompson…

Michelle Moya…

Ashlee Orizaba…

and Jacqueline Santos Romano ran for Vice President of Marketing.

On the other hand, Olivia McCaughan…

and Laila Alimi ran for the Secretary position.

Each of these students did an excellent job articulating their vision for the organization, and we would be proud to have any of them serve as leaders within PLS.

The votes were cast, but while we counted, Dr. Chris Thompson took the podium to have a Q&A session with the students about the legal field. Receiving his undergraduate degree at Stephen F Austin University and his J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law, he comes from a wealth of experience and expertise.

He shared that his story isn’t particularly “special”, not to diminish himself or his accomplishments, but rather to emphasize that it was possible for everyone in the room to attend law school. He went over the LSAT and the importance of discipline in studying, the rigor of law school classes, and how he entered the workforce as a young attorney.

What I particularly enjoyed was his reasoning for working in Walker County, both at the DA’s Office for 9 years, and currently, at a local law firm. Having lived in Huntsville and having family in the area, serving in a local capacity seemed natural. However, it was the idea of working to do “what is right” and doing so for the people in his community, that made that decision all the more admirable.

The Q&A concluded with one final question: “If you could go back and start your law school journey all over again, what would you change?” He replied: “To learn how to use commas and semicolons”–a lesson that the members would do well to take to heart.

At last, the verdict is in! Laila Alimi secured the position of Secretary! But our VP of Marketing position required a runoff between Niya Thompson and Michelle Moya. Niya ultimately won the vote to serve as our VP of Marketing for the semester.

Congratulations were in order, along with a photo of our new team. I look forward to working with them and seeing what all we will accomplish together this semester!

Stay tuned for our next meeting, which will be held on March 19, and it will include a series of hands-on workshops over various topics– all designed to help students grow professionally and progress toward their law-school dreams.

Pre-Law Society: Spring 2025 Ice Cream Social and Informational!

by Katherine Burnett

Every semester, the Pre-Law Society hosts an Ice Cream Social and Informational to reconnect with returning members, welcome prospective students, and provide an opportunity to learn more about the organization before paying dues and attending the first official meeting on February 19, 2025. This event was open to all Sam Houston students and provided a great chance to relax before the start of exams while discovering the unique opportunities within the organization, including exclusive events, career insights, and support for law school preparation.

As members and potential members walked into the Holcombe Room, they were greeted with sweet treats, a prize wheel, and the chance to connect with like-minded students.

The prizes ranged from bronze to silver to gold. Before the meeting, Ms. Loveall and Olivia searched for prizes that they believed the members would enjoy. And….

They did not disappoint! Prizes spanned from colorful pencil pouches, small books with sticky notes (which is good for book lovers), and SHSU merch!

Once it hit 6 o’clock, the group moved the party down to CHSS 140 for the informational meeting. President Olivia Discon spoke to the students about the benefits of joining Pre-Law Society. She highlighted exclusive opportunities for members, such as networking with professionals who have extensive knowledge in the legal field. Additionally, members can take a free Mock LSAT, and by doing so, they will have the chance to be chosen for a scholarship to cover the cost of an LSAT prep course.

Before wrapping up, we also discussed dues for the Spring 2025 semester. New member dues are $55, which includes a Pre-Law Society t-shirt, and returning member dues are $25. Payments can be taken by cash, check, or money order. Dues can be paid anytime before our first official meeting on February 19, 2025, at 6 P.M. For those that wish to pay prior to the meeting, our Vice President of Treasury, Chrissy Biello, will be available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in CHSS 480 until February 19!

After the meeting, students interested in joining had the chance to chat with the Pre-Law Society Officers and members about their experiences in the organization. The semester is off to a great start, and we can’t wait to see you all at our first official meeting on February 19 at 6pm (or one hour before in CHSS 140 to pay dues)!

To stay updated, you can follow our Instagram @prelawsocietyshsu

For further information and questions, please contact the President of the Pre-Law Society, Ms. Olivia Discon, at oliviadiscon@shsu.edu

How to Get Into Law School — Featuring Texas Tech Law School

On November 7th, Assistant Dean of Admissions at Texas Tech Law School, Danielle Saavedra…

…and Prosecutor for Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Texas Tech Law School Alum Katey McCall…

…visited students at Sam Houston State University to discuss Texas Tech Law School and how students can prepare to apply to law school.

As the meeting began, Professor Yawn asked what the admissions board looks at when evaluating a students application.

Dean Saavedra stated that they look at a students Cumulative GPA, LSAT score, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and various other factors. She continued by giving advice on recommendation letters, telling us to ensure to ask a trusted professor. Further, that personal statements are very important and to keep them as detailed as possible. All of these elements will set one student a part from another.

Dean Saavedra and Ms. McCall then mentioned how essential it is to get applications submitted as early as possible to have the best chance at getting accepted. This is because, as time passes, schools will start tightening their standards; they want to ensure their ranking will remain high so they are less likely to take a chance on a student below the medians.

Dean Saavedra then transitioned to discussing Texas Tech Law School, noting how it is affordable and there are many unique opportunities to find what you love. This includes clinics, externships, and a mock trial program! Ms. McCall was involved in many, so she was able to give some personal insight.

Ms. McCall said that outside of these programs, there are many student organizations that students at TTU Law can join to connect with classmates. Moreover, that they allow one to grow in both knowledge and skills!

We would like to give a very special thank you to Dean Saavedra and Ms. McCall for sharing valuable information about TTU Law and the process of applying to law school. All who attended are extremely grateful and excited to apply to Texas Tech Law School!