On Thursday, August 22, Waggener High School's IT & Law Academy hosted an inspiring panel discussion titled "Introduction to Civil Law," where esteemed legal professionals shared advice and insights, motivating students to explore the diverse opportunities within the legal field. The event, organized by Caroline Pieroni, an attorney in Humana's Legal Department, and Beth Snowden, a pre-law teacher and mock trial team coach at Waggener, brought together a diverse group of panelists who shared their experiences and insights into the world of law.

Panelists

-Judge Shelley Santry: Jefferson County Family Court Judge; former high school teacher and prosecutor, focusing on domestic violence, child abuse, and custody cases.

-Angela Edwards: President and CEO of Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky; oversees malpractice insurance for lawyers and advocates for continuing education in the legal field.

-Ashlea Christiansen: Lobbyist for the American Heart Association; involved in significant legislative efforts, including the passage of Marsy's Law in Kentucky.

-Jameson Gay: Attorney at Dinsmore in the Corporate Practice Group; former Navy service member with experience in a large law firm.

-Chelsea Granville Reed: Partner at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP in the firm’s Litigation Department and member of the US Employment and Labor group; business litigator with a diverse practice across a variety of industries; trial lawyer and former public defender.

-John Friend: Owner of Friend Law, PSC, and Of Counsel to Alex R. White, PLLC; has argued before the Kentucky Supreme Court and focuses on civil rights issues.

-Katherine Flowers: Chief of Client Services at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, US Army Garrison Command, Fort Knox; oversees legal assistance for military members and their dependents and adjudicates Army claims in the region.

-Brenda Goodhue: Paralegal at Dinsmore; transitioned from a business career to law, providing essential support to attorneys.

Diverse Career Paths in Law

Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the discussion, highlighting the varied career paths within the legal profession. Judge Santry, for instance, shared her journey from being a high school teacher to a family court judge, emphasizing the versatility of a law degree: "You can do anything with a law degree.

Mrs. Edwards highlighted the importance of continuing education and maintaining ethical standards in the legal profession. Mrs. Christiansen discussed her work as a lobbyist, focusing on her role in passing significant legislation like Marsy's Law in Kentucky. Mr. Gay shared his transition from serving in the Navy to working in a corporate law setting, while Mrs. Granville Reed described the dynamic nature of her work at Dentons, noting, "Every day is different."

“It is not what you want to do when you grow up. It’s what you want your life to look like.”

— John Friend

Advice for Aspiring Legal Professionals

The panelists offered valuable advice for students considering a career in law. Key takeaways included:

-Ashlea Christiansen: Emphasized the importance of communication and organization, encouraging students to "keep an open mind" and find a niche that suits their personality.

-Angela Edwards: Stressed the significance of strong reading and writing skills.

-Chelsea Granville Reed: Advised students to "stay confident" in their abilities.

-John Friend: Reassured students that "nerves are normal" and encouraged them to "do hard things."

-Judge Santry: Highlighted the importance of ethics, reminding students that "your word is your word."

Handling Challenges in Legal Careers

The panelists also shared insights into the challenges they face in their careers. Judge Santry discussed the emotional toll of working with cases involving substance abuse and poverty, while Mr. Friend spoke about the difficult nature of juvenile justice cases. Mrs. Edwards addressed the high stress levels in the legal profession and the importance of focusing on lawyer health.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The panel concluded with reflections on the panelists' own career aspirations and the paths they took to reach their current positions. Each panelist had a different path into the legal profession and advised the students to understand the versatility of a law degree. Often career aspirations are different in the real world, with Mr. Friend advising, “It is not what you want to do when you grow up. It’s what you want your life to look like.”

Overall, the panel provided Waggener High School students with a comprehensive view of the legal profession, inspiring them to explore the diverse opportunities available in law. The event underscored the importance of staying curious, confident, and ethical as they pursue their future careers. Waggener will host a Criminal Law panel next month.