Student Profiles

Kristin is presently a Trial Attorney with the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where she practices in the Land Acquisition Section and deals with issues related to eminent domain and land condemnation. Kristin received a B.S. in Sport Communication & Information, with minors in Legal Studies and English, magna cum laude, from Ithaca College in 2000.

While at Ithaca, she participated in the Pre-Law Society and was a Teacher's Assistant for Professor Marlene Barken. Additionally, Kristin was a four-year member of the women's soccer and softball teams and a columnist for The Ithacan, the student newspaper. Kristin graduated from Marquette University Law School, cum laude, in 2003, where she was the editor-in-chief of the Marquette Sports Law Review. Her comment "Weakening Its Own Defense? The NCAA's Version of Amateurism" was published in the spring 2003 volume of the Review.

Kristin clerked for the Hon. Christine O.C. Miller of the United States Court of Federal Claims from 2004 to 2005; prior to that, she practiced for one year at a general practice firm in Ithaca. Kristin is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, New York, and before the United States Court of Federal Claims.

"The Legal Studies program at Ithaca College has afforded me the opportunity to glimpse both the general nature of the American legal system and also the practical application of concepts and research techniques vital to anyone considering a career in law. The program is sufficiently broad so as to provide opportunities for those students who wish to know more about how this country?s legal system works and how it relates to other fields of study. The Legal Studies program also provides an excellent opportunity for those who wish to attend law school and pursue a career in the field by preparing students for the challenges of the profession.

While I am neither a minor nor major in legal studies, I have taken a number of courses within the program. The most rewarding of these has been a seminar in legal research. In this class, Prof. Gwen Seaquist directed students through the various processes that any practicing attorneys must employ to prepare briefs and memorandums. This class allowed me to experience the practical application of legal research techniques. This is a unique characteristic for any undergraduate program and one of Ithaca's Legal Studies program's most rewarding qualities. I will attend law school next fall. My experience with Ithaca's Legal Studies program has both prepared and kindled my excitement me for a career in law."

My concentration in Legal Studies at Ithaca College was extremely beneficial. It provided me with a unique exposure to the law at the undergraduate level, which later proved to be highly advantageous for me in law school. Ithaca's excellent resources and experienced professors of legal studies provided an ideal environment in which to study the key concepts and theories that form the basis of the law. Learning and understanding these principles as an undergraduate made it much easier to do so again in law school. I absolutely attribute much of my success in law school to the strong foundation in the law that I developed with my Legal Studies concentration at Ithaca College.

My dual interests of law and business prompted me to pursue a joint J.D./M.B.A. at Villanova University. In pursuing both degrees, the background I developed in both areas while at Ithaca also gave me a significant leg up. Now that I have graduated, and once I am admitted to practice law, I plan to begin work as a corporate attorney, where I will continue to use many of the core business and legal concepts I developed at Ithaca. I would highly recommend the Legal Studies program to anyone interested in a career in law.

Christopher Johnson (Telecommunications Management '03) also minored in Organizational Communication, Learning & Design as well as Legal Studies. Chris assisted with research and editing a paper by Professor Barken and Professor Seaquist, which was subsequently published, on FDA regulations of sulfites in a variety of food products. Chris is currently working as a paralegal at White & Case LLP in Manhattan, serving as team lead for a group of paralegals involved in a large Enron-related securities litigation. He is currently evaluating his choices for a possible career in law.

"The legal studies minor allowed me to attain a greater understanding of the legal and ethical issues which shape our global society, specifically the business world. The courses are diverse and allow students to focus on areas of legal interest, whether they are business oriented, research oriented or environmentally oriented. The small class sizes and strong faculty-student interaction foster a positive learning environment. I plan to continue my education in New York City working for a REIT. Ultimately, I will move into real estate development."