Taylor Wemmer, Class of 2013
Legal interests: Civil litigation
Bachelor's degree: BA in History and Classical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, 2008
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Dream job: Judge
Quote: Law school is a challenge, but the skills you acquire at USD are extremely valuable no matter what direction your career takes you. If you are open to new experiences and get involved with organizations you are interested in early on, you will be amazed by how many opportunities are available to you.
1) What made you decide to come to USD School of Law?
I always knew that I wanted to live and practice law in my hometown of San Diego. The University of San Diego was a great fit for me because of its great faculty, welcoming student body, and its strong connections to the San Diego legal community.
2) During your first week here, what was one of the first things that impressed you?
I was impressed by how many opportunities USD provides for its students to get involved. During orientation week, I really enjoyed walking around the club fair and learning about the different student-run organizations. USD supports several ways for students to volunteer in the community, participate in student government, and start networking with attorneys. Every club and activity sounded so interesting that it was difficult not to sign up for everything.
3) What activities have you been involved in at USD School of Law?
During my first year, I volunteered with the Pro Bono Legal Advocates (PBLA) group at the HIV/AIDS clinic, was a staff writer for USD's law school newspaper, Motions, and participated in intramural softball, a USD law school tradition. As a 2L, I was a part of the San Diego Law Review and an associate member of USD Appellate Moot Court Board. I also enjoyed getting to know the incoming 1L class as a teaching assistant for two sections of Legal Research and Writing I.
4) How hard is law school? Is it more or less work than you thought?
Law school is definitely challenging. You learn a completely new way to read and analyze information and, just like any new skill, it takes time and practice to get comfortable with the process. I found that, even though I went in with the mindset that law school was going to be difficult, you do not really understand how much work it actually is until you are right in the middle of it. What helped me navigate through the first year was to treat law school like a job; if you manage your time well and put in consistent effort all the way through the semester, it definitely pays off when finals come around.
5) What is the best thing that has happened to you here at law school?
The best thing that has happened to me thus far is that my passion for the law has grown and it has confirmed that law was the best choice for me. I have also really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and professors. The USD community is very supportive, which certainly makes law school a much more enjoyable experience.
6) What is some of your previous professional experience? How did that experience help you decide to go to law school?
I am very glad that I took two years off after graduating from undergrad to work and gain some real-world experience before going back to school. I spent time working for both a small internet start-up company and a large corporation and, although I enjoyed the work that I did, I was ready for more of a challenge. Law school was a clear choice for me because I knew that a law degree was extremely versatile and would allow me to explore different fields and industries.
7) What advice would you give to a prospective student? What things might you have done differently?
Choose the school that is the best fit for you. Think about what your priorities are and where you might want to practice law. Networking all year round in the area you eventually want to work in is a huge advantage that you will have over students who are studying out-of-state. Once in school, I would recommend continuing a hobby you enjoyed before coming to law school. Whether you are a runner, a musician, or a salsa dancer, it is definitely helpful to have an activity that will take you out of the law school bubble for a few hours each week to help you maintain some perspective.
