Asides

Alumni Insights: Jessica Rodriguez-Wahlquist Returns to LEAP

By Makenna McDaniel

The LEAP Center is committed to introducing students to leaders who show professional excellence, resilience, and service. This week, LEAP students had the privilege to meet Jessica Rodriguez-Wahlquist, a successful attorney and SHSU alumna who has made a powerful impact on communities across Texas.

Rodriguez-Wahlquist graduated from Sam Houston in 2015 with a double major in Economics and International Business and a minor in Political Science. During her visit to SHSU, the students were able to sit down with Rodriguez-Wahlquist for a quick Q&A session.

Rodriguez-Wahlquist was warm and energetic, offering the students many pieces of thoughtful advice. The conversation began by reflecting on her time at Sam Houston and how the LEAP center helped her on her journey to law school.

Rodriguez-Wahlquist encouraged each of the students to get involved on campus and in the community during their undergraduate years. She reflected that many of the things she did on campus and with the LEAP center helped her to gain admission into law school. She also discussed key decisions and challenges that shaped her journey from Bearkat to partner at a major Houston law firm.

Ronald Reagan and Jessica Rodriguez

The conversation was lively and engaging, providing the students with excellent advice. The students asked many questions ranging from her involvement in internships during her undergraduate to her recent achievements. Rodriguez-Wahlquist wrapped up the conversation with the advice to always be true to yourself. She said “You don’t want to build a busy resume and have an empty life. Make sure you do what you love!”

The Q&A session provided excellent insights for students preparing for careers in law, and we are very grateful to Rodriguez-Wahlquist for her time, advice, and kindness!

Pre-Law Society Hosts Attorney Michael Foreman for an Engaging and Insightful Meeting

This Wednesday’s last Pre-Law Society meeting of the semester ended up being one of our most helpful and interesting ones yet. We started with our usual updates: finances, social media, minutes, and spring-semester dues, before going over upcoming events and ideas for the rest of the year.

Once we wrapped up business, Olivia Discon introduced Attorney Michael Foreman, a Baylor Law graduate and trial lawyer at Haney Paschal & Romoser right here in Huntsville, Texas. Foreman works in family, personal injury, contract and property disputes, and trusts and estates law. From the moment he started speaking, it was clear he had a lot of real-world experience to share.

He began with a question many of us think about: “Does mock trial really prepare you for the courtroom?” Foreman didn’t hesitate. “It’s as close as you can get to actually being in a courtroom,” he said, and encouraged anyone considering law school to get involved. That immediately set the tone for how honest and practical he would be throughout the night.

He also walked us through how he made it onto law review at Baylor. Students can qualify by being in the top 5% of their class or by submitting a strong writing sample. He explained how law review improves your writing, your ability to read cases deeply, and your confidence going into legal practice.

When he talked about law school itself, Foreman didn’t sugarcoat anything. Most classes come down to one final exam, but everything you do during the semester prepares you for it. He stressed how important class rank is your first year, saying, “Your first year is very important. It dictates your speed to success.” Hearing that from someone who has lived it made everyone sit up a little straighter.

Foreman also shared stories from his internships and clerkships, and gave advice that many of us needed to hear: if you get accepted into multiple law schools, choose the best one you can, even if another feels more comfortable. “The first ten years of your career are shaped by the path you choose,” he said. Everyone took a second to process their reality, and most even would say that motivated them even further.

He then talked about the difference between big and small firms. While large firms may seem impressive, he reminded us that new lawyers often don’t get meaningful hands-on work there. Smaller firms, like Haney Paschal & Romoser, give young attorneys real opportunities to learn the entire process, from meeting clients to preparing for trial. It made the legal world feel a little less intimidating. It gave us insight that we would not be able to find on our own as undergraduates.

One of the most interesting parts of his talk was when he described a Texas Renaissance Festival contract case involving $72 million. He used that case to explain what depositions are and why they matter. “Depositions are your first chance to question witnesses under oath,” he said, adding that you often learn the most when you take action early in a case. He also shared the heartbreaking detail that the festival’s owner later committed suicide, which reminded everyone just how much stress clients can be under. “Everyone you work with is under stress,” Foreman told us. “Your job is to give peace of mind and manage expectations.”

From there, he covered probate, personal-injury billing, and the emotional nature of family law. He explained that while the legal part of family law may be straightforward, the challenge comes from guiding clients through tough, emotional situations. “Emotions do not determine decisions,” he said, “but they determine how you communicate.”

He ended the night with a line that stuck with almost everyone: “Law school is ultimately betting on yourself.” For many of us, that was the reminder we needed, that pursuing law is a commitment, but also an investment in who we want to become.

Overall, the meeting was encouraging, honest, and incredibly helpful. We left with a clearer picture of law school, the profession, and the responsibility lawyers carry. It was exactly the kind of meeting that motivates future law students to keep pushing forward.

To finish off the night, the Pre-Law Society and Micheal Foreman had the honor of giving our graduating seniors their cords and PLS certificates.

We are sad to see them go, but grateful to have seen these individuals grow. We wish the best of luck to them and their journeys as aspiring attorneys!