Online Hybrid J.D. Student and Alumni Spotlights

Education:
Bachelor in Business Administration, Emory University
Master of Business Administration, Georgia State University
Master of Health Administration, Georgia State University

Why did you choose to pursue your J.D. online?
I have 16-year-old twins, and most of their schooling has been through a virtual platform. As their learning coach, I had already become a convert to the delivery of education at home. I liked the efficiency of it, and how it is possible to learn when you’re at your best. So if you have an online learning module or recording, you can choose when and how you’re going to approach the work.

Do you see any advantages or benefits to the online format versus the more traditional in-person on-campus format?
They always say that law students should be constantly practicing for the bar. Asynchronous material tests our knowledge constantly, even though it’s not a big portion of our grade. Completing the asynchronous material online requires you to review the materials that you read each week as well as reinforces key principles. The professors ask you to answer bar-style multiple-choice questions, prepare bar-style essays, post an opinion on a discussion board and more. This allows the professors to see not only whether you’re grasping the concepts, but also if you’re able to actually present the information back. All of these tools that are built into the platform. Some people wait until the very last minute and cram for the big exam, but you really can’t do that here because you have to get into the material every week.

Can you talk about Get REAL weeks and how they enhance your learning?
My professors and student success advisor prepared me well. I knew what to wear, what to bring, what books I needed and more. The weekend was packed in a good way. We had a lot of panels of third-year law students or lawyers in the community. We watched a legal-based feature film. We had projects that involved doing law library work — actually going into the law library and understanding how you would access the books that we access digitally in a law library. We had several practice essay sessions that not only helped us prepare for our midterm and final, but also the bar. The University of Dayton takes a bar preparation approach, so that was our first taste of the exam. We definitely went back to our hotel rooms mentally and physically spent for the day but ready and excited for the next.

Would you recommend an online J.D. program like University of Dayton’s to others?
Absolutely. We always laugh about being the guinea pigs, but it’s cool that we’re out there where very few have gone before. The program is amazing. I mean, I am just so impressed. Top-notch faculty delivered in this premium technology platform, with the opportunity to customize your learning. I am constantly inspired by my fellow students who have small children and full-time challenging jobs. One student has a lot of travel in his job and he has even done the live class on the plane! My fellow students really show that this program provides very few excuses not to be able to learn and do the work to become a lawyer.

You worked with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for almost 14 years. What were your responsibilities in the role of Contracting Officer?
At the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), I was directly supporting the front line soldiers in the war on terror. My job was to negotiate contracts with government suppliers. I made sure we had contracts in place to expedite the process of getting materials to the military; specifically, to units that were deployed.

The Contracting Officer is the signature authority who can obligate the government to pay for supplies or services, so another major role was ensuring that the prices being paid were in the best interest of the American taxpayer.

What drew you to your current role at Duke University? What does your position entail?
It is funny how the world works sometimes. I’ve spent my entire life in the Philadelphia area, but a few years ago my wife and I started thinking about moving a little further south. We had good friends in the Raleigh area and had visited a few times. I found the job at Duke on a third-party website and applied.

Almost three years later, I am directly supporting frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 by focusing on the contractual aspect of COVID-19 research. My role is similar to the Contracting Officer position in the sense that I am negotiating government contracts; however, in this position, I am on the other side of the transaction.

I negotiate on behalf of the Duke University School of Medicine with the federal government. I have the pleasure of working with some of the brightest doctors on the planet. I work with the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and have directly negotiated numerous contracts for research related to COVID-19, HIV, and a universal flu vaccine. It’s rewarding to play even a relatively minor role in such important research at a critical time in our country.

What was happening in your life when you decided to earn your J.D.?
I had just moved to North Carolina ahead of my family to start in my role at Duke. For the first few weeks I was staying with friends, one of whom has a law firm here in the Raleigh area. After taking a practice LSAT in my spare time, I decided to take the actual test and, ultimately, enroll in the Online Hybrid J.D. program at the University of Dayton School of Law.

A J.D. is not necessarily the next step in my career, but it will indirectly create opportunities to advance my career. My experience, in combination with a J.D., could also prepare me for government contract consulting opportunities.

My ultimate plan would be to create my own firm and eventually even teach in the Online Hybrid J.D. program!

How do you balance school, work, and your personal life?
Every single day is a new adventure. Because I work from home, it is probably a lot easier for me to manage than it is for those who commute or even travel for work. I don’t know how those folks do it!

A typical day starts with caffeine and the creation of a “to-do” list. I try to do my class assignments, readings and the asynchronous modules on a strict schedule. For example, every Friday I will complete the asynchronous for Monday’s class. If I get some time during my work day, I may do a little reading; if not, I will usually try to get it done before ending for the day.

This strict schedule helps me avoid having to spend the weekend catching up, which has an impact on my family life. Balancing my personal life would be impossible without a strong support system. I have my wife — who is amazing and manages essentially everything to do with our house and kids — and my kids, who are extremely supportive, understanding and engaged. They are the first ones to ask about my grades and are equally excited when “we” do well on an assignment or test.

Lastly, my friends in the cohort are incredible. We pick each other up and lend support when needed. If work takes over one week and I couldn’t get to a case that we needed to read, one of them will call me and give me the synopsis. I will do the same for them.

I love what I am doing and who I have in my corner. I am excited to see where this journey takes me!

Can you describe any standout moments from your time in the program?
Every class and professor has been extremely unique and rewarding in its own way. For instance, students from the previous cohort told me that the 4-credit classes require more time than the 3-credit classes — something that seems obvious until you meet Professor Watson! In addition to his textbook, you need to read more than 500 pages of supplementary material he has created throughout his years of teaching Property.

Don’t worry, though — he is amazing (even though he is a Duke Law graduate). He has a sense of humor that resonates with everyone, and he makes difficult topics relatable. Only in Professor Watson’s Property class will you find pop stars, politicians and cartoon characters all conveying their property rights in the same lesson!

Tell us about your classmates. Have you been able to learn from their experiences in other fields? Have you made any connections/relationships that now exist outside of the classroom?
I am sharing this experience with 29 amazing individuals. I have established relationships with many of them outside of the classroom. I have had at least five business meetings resulting from conversations with members of my cohort.

I have three specific friends that I heavily rely on almost every day. We really have formed an unexplainable connection, and I would expect the four of us to remain friends long after our time at the University of Dayton is over. It is an aspect of the program that I did not anticipate, but one for which I am extremely grateful!

Why did you select the online format vs. attending a program in person?
To be honest, the online format was not my first choice. There is a small school with a night program located five minutes from my office, and I really thought I wanted the in-person experience.

I attended an information session about the Online Hybrid J.D. program to keep my options open. The session was hosted by Dean VanZandt. My wife was within listening distance, and when the session ended, she was adamant that I attend. She was incredibly impressed with everything Dean VanZandt had to say. Don’t tell her I admitted this, but she was right!

What recommendations or advice do you have for prospective students?
Deciding between the online and in-person programs is a personal choice. I may not yet know what my classmates look like below the shoulders, but I would venture to say that I probably know many of my classmates better than I would had I attended an in-person program because of the online aspect.

Regardless of the program you choose, it is critical to build a support system within your cohort and beyond it. Most of the people who support you at home and at work will struggle to relate to exactly what you are going through, so you need the support of fellow students as well. It is a constant balance that is only achievable due to the environment created by the University of Dayton School of Law and the Online Hybrid J.D. program.

Education:
B.A. in Chemistry, Kenyon College
M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Why did you decide to pursue an online J.D. degree, and why Dayton specifically?
I am a working professional with a full-time job at a university in Farmville, Virginia — right in the middle of the state. My university doesn’t have a law school, and the closest one to me is an hour and a half away. An online degree appealed to me for the time-saving aspect of it.

I chose Dayton specifically for a couple of reasons. As I researched different programs, Dayton was by far the most personable and welcoming program of the bunch, at least in my experience. During every encounter that I had with the dean and faculty, everyone was so helpful and willing to answer my questions and just wanted to make sure that I was engaged and integrated into the community right from the get-go. Dayton was so welcoming. I was not just a number, and people called me regularly to see if I had questions or if I needed any information.

When it came down to it, I thought, “Of course. I’m going to Dayton, and this is where I want to be.”

Could you talk about how your professors employ the Socratic method in teaching in an online environment?
We use the Zoom platform for live class meetings. Our professors ask questions, and they expect an answer. Our names are on the screen, and they call on us and say, “What are the facts in this case, Jen?” I don’t see really a huge difference between what a faculty member would do in-person as opposed to what they do in our online classes, because we’re still getting that face-to-face interaction.

It’s a different classroom environment — you don’t have to search the aisles and the seats to see who you want to talk to. There’s no hiding, and it’s very evident if you haven’t done the reading. We can’t not be prepared, so I think that our discussions are so much more enriched and we get to the heart of the issues so much faster because nobody can hide. We all have to do the reading, we all have to do the work, and we have to complete those assignments prior to class, so we are prepared.

What kind of support have you received while in the program?
The support has been great. We all participated in a one-credit student success course in the fall about legal education that taught us how to balance our time, study and do outlines — the kind of basic things. We were encouraged to reach out to our student success advisors to have those personal conversations, which I took advantage of. I thought they were very helpful in being able to kind of get my feet under me as an online student in the legal education world. I felt very supported in my interactions with my faculty and the other support services that are available.

Would you recommend an online J.D. or specifically the J.D. at Dayton to others, and if so, why?
I would absolutely recommend it. You need to make sure that you are disciplined, but if you are committed to getting a legal education, then Dayton offers a fantastic program. Law@Dayton gives you the skills and foundation for success. The curriculum is tailored specifically toward passing the bar and making sure we are successful as legal professionals. At the same time, they have done a really good job of making sure we’re also integrated and connected to the larger UD community.

Tell us a little bit about your background.
I studied anthropology in undergrad. I was very interested in food and culture, particularly how what we eat influences our identity. I moved to Boston and worked at a gourmet cheese shop in Cambridge while earning my master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University. I studied topics ranging from food policy to the politics of meat consumption.

It was an incredible education, but when I was finished, I desperately missed Colorado. I moved back to my home state without really considering my job options. At that point, all I wanted was to be close to family.

What inspired you to go to law school and earn your J.D.?
Once I was in Colorado, I proceeded to be a ski bum for several years before deciding that I needed to buckle down and get serious about a career. Growing up, I had been told by several people that I would make an excellent lawyer (not sure if that was supposed to be a compliment). Law school always seemed like a lofty, unreachable aspiration.

When I looked into it, I began to think, “Hey, this is actually something I could do.” I started buying up books about law school and studying for the LSAT. I am a first-generation college graduate, so I really had to navigate the entire process on my own, but I am lucky to have a very supportive family that is willing to help me in any way they can.

How did your current role help you decide to pursue a legal career?
My boss and mentor, Ted Hess, has had an incredible life and career. He was a brigadier general in the Marines and, at one point, was their top lawyer. After retiring, he moved to my hometown and started his own law firm, which specializes in immigration, criminal and employment law. I started assisting him with the employment and civil cases, which gave me insight into the legal field before starting law school. Ted and the other attorneys have been incredibly helpful and willing to provide assistance as I began navigating the world of law.

What would you like to do once you graduate from the program?
I plan to be a public defender. I like the idea of being an advocate for the underdog. A lot of people who need public defenders have been forgotten or abandoned by society in one way or another, and they need someone to be their voice and advocate.

My entire impetus for attending law school was to be able to provide some value to the world. I believe working as a public defender is a great way to give back to my community. I understand that it will be a Sisyphean battle, but one definitely worth fighting. I also would like to work for a human rights organization down the road.

What drew you to University of Dayton?
I don’t have any connections to the University of Dayton or Ohio. I’m a West Coast child all the way. (I was born in California and raised in Colorado.) I chose the University of Dayton because of the flexibility.

When I first began considering law school in 2017, I was somewhat upset and bewildered that I couldn’t find any ABA-accredited remote programs. I thought that if I wanted to go to law school, I was going to have to pack up my family and relocate to somewhere across the state or country. In 2019, one of my sister’s friends told me that there were some new hybrid programs that would qualify me to sit for the bar exam. I jumped at the opportunity.

Why did you select the online format rather than an in-person program?
The University of Dayton was a perfect fit for me. It allowed me to keep my job (at least part time), and I didn’t have to worry about relocating my family while pursuing my aspirations of becoming a lawyer. The class size is small enough that I feel involved and able to effectively communicate with my professors. I have also bonded with my classmates, which is so invaluable to my success as a student. We are accomplishing something very difficult and novel together.

What is a day in your life like?
I wake up at 5:30 a.m. I do a short yoga and meditation routine, and then I prepare for the day. I drop my daughter off at preschool and then get to work right away.

I have two large whiteboards in my office: one with my weekly to-do list and one with my daily to-do list. I chunk out my schedule and treat my study days like a full workday. I start by 8 a.m., work until 5 p.m. and attend class from 5 to 7 p.m. After class I spend about 10 minutes reviewing my notes and reflecting on the discussion. I also work two days per week at the law firm.

By sticking to my schedule consistently, I ensure that I don’t have to stay up late on the weeknights or spend my weekends studying. Around midterms and finals, I dedicate more time to studying, but I really value having time to spend with my family during the semester. I also make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout. When I feel I’ve reread a paragraph several times, I step away and go on a short walk or play with my dogs for a bit. 

Have there been any standout moments during your time in the program?
I absolutely loved Property I with Professor Watson. I thought Property was rather difficult and overwhelming at times, but Professor Watson has an incredible sense of humor, which made the content engaging and fun. I always looked forward to the synchronous class time.

Tell us about your classmates.
It’s slightly strange attending school from a distance. Even though I haven’t met any of my classmates in person, I already consider many of them friends. We spend a lot of time together each week and converse regularly regarding course content.

We also use each other as support systems as we struggle through each semester. In a way, we are the only ones who can sympathize about what we are going through.

I feel fortunate to have a good connection to many of them because I was concerned that distance learning would be a barrier to that necessary solidarity that is so essential to academic success, especially in law school.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Design your schedule and stick to it! I felt that the first few weeks of the program were the most difficult because I was in new territory and still figuring out when and how to study. Once I fell into my routine, it got better. I now have a very consistent schedule that only varies slightly each semester.

This program never gets boring because there is so much stimulating content to digest each day! It keeps me healthy and well because I know what to expect each day. You really can conquer incredible things when you have a good plan — and a good plan B!

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I take a short break and remind myself, “You can eat an elephant … one bite at a time.”

Tell us a little bit about your background.
During my undergraduate career, I switched majors three times and transferred schools once. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in three years, went to graduate school and earned my master’s degree, but I never fully realized what I wanted to do.

All I knew was that I loved language. After teaching English at Ball State, I realized I wanted to teach abroad and joined the Peace Corps. I had an eye-opening experience in Moldova but ultimately determined that teaching wasn’t for me. When I came home from Moldova, I wanted to begin work in my comfort zone, which is why I started to work at a local university.

I loved my experiences in the education world, but I decided to earn a J.D. because I wanted to effect meaningful change. Law school was always in the back of my mind, and I just knew that this was the time to start.

You are now a law clerk with the Maguire Legal Group. What drew you to this role?
I wanted to gain some basic legal experience. After a few months in the position, I knew I had found my strength in a legal career. Maguire Legal Group works in probate and trust administration, probate litigation, estate planning and real estate.

Since it is a small firm, I support the attorneys directly. I have the opportunity to prepare legal documents, including wills, powers of attorney, contracts and affidavits. I investigate case law and search pertinent sources to determine causes of action. I also prepare documents for litigation, including complaints, motions and proposed orders, and discovery requests. I have learned a great amount in this role, and I’m excited to continue growing.

What inspired you to earn your J.D.?
Going to law school was always something I considered, but I wasn’t sure how to go to school and continue to work full time. When I came home from the Peace Corps, my motivation to study law grew. I became increasingly interested in immigration and solving individual and societal problems through law. I knew I needed to start working, though. Luckily, I found the University of Dayton Online Hybrid J.D. program, which offered me the opportunity to work full time and begin my legal studies.

Why is earning a J.D. the next step in your career?
The study of law aligns perfectly with my passions. My experiences teaching and living abroad gave me deeper insight into myself and what I have to offer the world.

Once I graduate, my ultimate goal is to work at a nonprofit supporting immigrants. With my experiences at Maguire Legal Group, I have expanded my interests beyond immigration law into family law as well. I hope to continue learning and growing to determine my next steps in my legal career. 

What drew you to University of Dayton for your law degree?
When I applied to law school, I had no idea where I wanted to live or what my schedule would look like for the next few years. What drew me to University of Dayton School of Law — and, specifically, the Online Hybrid J.D. program — was the flexibility it afforded me. I knew I could expect a quality education and the ability to take classes from wherever I was living at the time.

What does a day in your life look like?
My day-to-day life can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, I have supportive family, friends and work colleagues who have made it possible for me to balance working, school and my personal life. When I come home from my usual 9-to-5 job, I write case briefs, read or complete asynchronous work. Then I attend classes in the evening.

I try to wake up early to get a run in before work so I can wind down after classes. I would rather get up early than stay up late to work on things, but it took a little while to figure that out. Working in a law firm has been really helpful for my time management because the attorneys understand how stressful and time-consuming law school can be. They have been extremely flexible with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

Have there been any standout moments from your time in the program?
There are a ton of specific moments in which I felt supported and encouraged by my classmates and professors. I think what makes this program different is the support you receive during your first-semester classes.

We had the opportunity to take a learning skills lab that really stood out to me because it eased us into law school. It gave us time to reflect on our first semester and understand our goals. This course and the professor that led it helped me ensure that pursuing a J.D. would align with my personal and professional goals.

Tell us about your classmates.
My cohort is really unlike any other group of students I have worked with. We all come from different backgrounds and have decided to pursue our J.D. for a wide array of reasons.

I feel endlessly supported by this group of students. We are all rooting for each other to succeed, and it shows in our interactions — inside and outside the classroom.

Why did you select the online format rather than an in-person program?  

Flexibility was important to me when I was choosing a law school. I have taken classes online before, and I am extremely self-motivated, so I knew online classes wouldn’t be a problem for me. I decided on the online format because I really appreciated the freedom of being able to take classes wherever I am.

What recommendations or advice do you have for prospective students?
Before I began earning my J.D., I was told that law school is very different from any other degree program. That is true: Law school has required a completely different skill set than any other program I have attended. Law school has been extremely challenging and rewarding in ways I never imagined.

My advice for prospective students would be to truly understand your goals and motivations before you begin your J.D. program. Having a clear understanding of your “why” will give you the drive and motivation to be successful in whatever program you choose. Then, throughout law school, don’t forget to focus your efforts on the passions and goals that matter most to you.

Education:
B.S. in Business Management, University of South Carolina
Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina

Why did you decide to pursue an online J.D. degree?
I have been looking for a feasible way to get my Juris Doctor for the past 10 years. I moved all over the country with my job, and it was impossible to find a law school that was available nights and/or weekends to accommodate someone with a full-time job. Then, in 2016, I was in a tragic car accident that left me paralyzed from the rib cage down and without the ability to use my hands. Over the next two years, I had five surgeries, excruciating physical therapy and ongoing issues fighting insurance companies, government agencies and the management of the skilled nursing facility I was forced to live in. I saw some of the appalling treatment aimed at those who wouldn’t or couldn’t speak up for themselves. At that point, I knew what I had to do. I had to be their voice.

There are no residential law school programs in Charlotte, North Carolina, anymore. Based on my physical needs at that point, I knew relocating to attend school was not going to be an option. I was very leery of the entire concept of an online law degree because I felt that it would not be able to provide the core components of human interaction and debate.

The biggest reason I picked University of Dayton’s online J.D. was because it was a brand-new program, and we have had the unique opportunity to help mold this program into something truly extraordinary. Personally, I have accomplished a lot through trial and error. I am new to having a severe physical disability and was not sure what accommodations I would need or even what was available, but my professors have been right there with me, helping me figure it out along the way.

The University has invested a lot of time and money into this hybrid J.D. program, and it shows. Of the few universities in the country that are American Bar Association–approved for a hybrid-style learning platform, University of Dayton School of Law has the most sophisticated, professional asynchronous material. All the lectures are professionally produced. The hybrid approach to law school was the only one that offered the flexibility to get a legal education, while also not sacrificing quality. One of my biggest concerns was missing the opportunity to bond with my classmates that an in-person residential structure can provide. But I am truly blessed to have the classmates that I do, and I feel that I know them all on a personal and a professional level. I cannot wait to see the difference that the University of Dayton inaugural hybrid class of 2023 will make in this world!

Where do you think the cohesiveness of your cohort comes from?
It started a week after classes began, when somebody created a WhatsApp chat room so we could all kind of figure this out. From then on, we all talked every single day. It’s kind of forced us to communicate in a different way, that includes the personal side of life along with the school stuff. It’s a very different culture but a very cool one, because the world is drifting toward a more digital culture anyway. We still get this fusion of ideas and personalities, all of that coming out of a computer.

Can you talk a little bit about how the Socratic method is employed in the online format?
It is the Socratic method, elevated, because of the way the faculty are using it. When we review the asynchronous assignments, they ask you questions about every single case, which in a residential class you’re never going to get. They’re going to pick one person and they’re going to drill that one person, but now it’s like they’re drilling all of us.

That’s the neatest thing to me: After we submit the asynchronous work, the professor can see where the gaps are in what we understand and what we don’t, and they tailor their class towards those gaps. So not only is the Socratic method there, it’s the Socratic method where you need it.

Can you tell us about your professors and what they bring to the classroom?
My torts professor, Professor Shaw, is extremely good. We were studying for our final, and we were in a study group with three or four of us on Zoom — it was 11:30 p.m., and we were just stuck debating what the elements of the specific claim were. So we just forwarded her an email and said hey, can we discuss this tomorrow, and she just pops in the Zoom conference room from her house right then. I mean, who does that? I tell that story to everybody because it’s unreal: 11:30 p.m. and my law professor is in my study group teaching us because she cares.

Would you recommend the University of Dayton’s Online Hybrid J.D. program to others and why?
One hundred percent yes, for a few reasons. One is the attitude of the teachers and the staff. There is not a person at that university who will not bend over backwards to make sure you succeed if you’re willing to put in the work. The other biggest piece is they test you, and I don’t mean like with an actual test. They try you hard, it’s not easy, but I like that. The material is as tangible as it would be if we were in the residential class. We’re not missing anything. To me, we’re gaining that much more because of the access to the professors, because of the access to each other.

Why did you decide to get a J.D. degree and do it through an online program?
I had a full-time job and a home here in Huntington, West Virginia. Most of my friends and family are in this area, and the closest law school to me was at least a couple hours away. Being able to stay employed full-time so I could take care of my financial responsibilities, as well as maintaining close relationships with my friends and family were major pros to my decision to get my J.D. through an online program. The key for me choosing the University of Dayton was the unique hybrid experience itself. I have taken many online classes where you never even have synchronous class time with your professors and classmates. I liked the flexibility you get with online classes, but I've always felt that no real-time interactions with professors and classmates is a detriment to what you learn from the class. Having class time -- although virtual -- was very compelling for me. 

What was your experience like in the University of Dayton School of Law's Online J.D. Program?
My experience with the Hybrid J.D. program was very good. I think all our professors were very knowledgeable, able to help us understand complicated legal concepts, and invested in making sure we learned what we needed to pass the bar exam and start our legal careers. Even though I was not on campus, I found that most of our professors were very responsive to any questions or concerns that I had (via email or by setting up a virtual office hour meeting with them). I was also very excited that I was able to participate in the University's Moot Court team even though I was a hybrid student. Moot Court was a great experience that improved my research, writing and speaking skills. I would also be remiss not to mention how my cohort supported each other. Even though we only met in person every so often through the "Get Real" on campus sessions, we all got along and had great friendship dynamics. Overall, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to pursue my J.D. while being able to maintain my life as it was before I started law school.

How has your J.D. helped you in your career -- and what are you doing now?
After passing the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), I have been working as an associate attorney at a firm here in Huntington, West Virginia. As of right now, my practice areas have been predominantly in medical malpractice, products liability, employment, and administrative agency law. I am also doing a little appellate work as well. I feel the quality of legal education I received from Dayton not only prepared me for the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) but readied me to start my career.