Your Gifts at Work
To attract and retain a talented student body at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, LSU Law must offer meaningful and nationally competitive scholarships. Every major law school in the country attracts top students through scholarships, and the LSU Law Center is a part of this very competitive environment.
Resident tuition has increased to over $23,000 for first-year students. With fees, room and board, personal costs, and transportation, the cost of a legal education may exceed $35,000 per year. LSU Law is proud to offer our outstanding students financial assistance through private scholarship funds, which are critical to their ability to pay for law school.
Our students are incredibly grateful for the generosity of donors who make their scholarships possible. We recently spoke with five talented LSU Law students about their dreams for the future and what their scholarships mean to them. Learn more about how you can support scholarships at LSU Law.
NATHANIEL GORDON III, 1L / SPARTANBURG, SC / LSU LAW CLASS OF 1990 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“I am blessed and grateful that you all have decided I am fit to attend LSU Law.
To receive a scholarship in addition to this is a dream come true. Thank you so much for blessing me.”
Nathaniel Gordon III
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS.
I have a background in sports and helping others. I’ve been running track since I was 6 years old and competed at both Georgetown University and Clemson University as a scholarship athlete. At Georgetown, I was the men’s track and field team captain. At Georgetown, I volunteered as a tutor and mentor in the After School Kids Program (ASK). As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, I enjoyed helping at-risk youth complete their homework and apply to college. It helped give me a sense of purpose during my time there. I enjoy listening to music and dancing. I’m very interested in sports contract law and entertainment law, as the majority of my life has revolved around sports and entertainment.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A LAWYER, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO LSU LAW?
I worked as a Diversion Specialist and Program Director at the Circuit Attorney’s Office for two years. The majority of people I served were low-income people that came from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds as myself. I worked for Kim Gardner, the first black Circuit Attorney in St. Louis history, and the majority of my coworkers were also prosecuting attorneys. I felt like becoming a lawyer will increase my influence and ability to help people. I’m interested in learning about University General Counsel, as my master’s is in Athletic Leadership and I’ve learned about the business of intercollegiate athletics and the NCAA.
WHAT CLASSES HAVE INTERESTED YOU MOST AT THE LAW CENTER, OR WHAT CLASS HAS MOST IMPACTED YOUR EDUCATION?
So far I am really interested in Civil Procedure and Contracts.
BEST THING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL, OR BEST ASPECT OF “STUDENT LIFE” AT THE LAW CENTER?
I enjoy the camaraderie component of LSU Law. It seems as though everyone is in it together.
WHAT DOES THE CLASS OF 1990 SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
The Class of 1990 Scholarship means everything to me. I am blessed and grateful that you all have decided I am fit to attend LSU Law. To receive a scholarship in addition to this is a dream come true. Thank you so much for blessing me.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?
I hope to get a nice job in the Louisiana area and give back to my family that has struggled so much to put me in this position. Eventually, I would like to give back to my community and pave the way forward for other people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds such as myself.
NATE MULVIHILL, 3L / BATON ROUGE, LA / LSU LAW CLASS OF 1973 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“I would like to express my complete gratitude to those who were generous enough to help people like me.
It means a lot to see my hard work go recognized and it means a lot that they would use the fruits of their hard work to give back to the community.”
Nate Mulvihill
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS.
I am a Baton Rouge native and have lived here my whole life. I went to Tara High School and then LSU for undergrad. I worked as a Painter’s Apprentice for 5-plus years. I enjoy sports such as football, soccer, and volleyball. I play video games in my free time. I like to read Fantasy/Scifi fiction books and my favorite author is Rick Riordan who writes the Percy Jackson series featuring Greek gods.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A LAWYER, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO LSU LAW?
I wanted to become a lawyer to make a difference. I originally hoped to become involved with legislation to help change some of our laws for the better. I also wanted to get in a position that I could help the people around me such as my family, friends, and community. I am the first in my family to go to college. My high school was ranked near the bottom overall and many of the students there lived impoverished. I want to use my position to help students at my high school who are determined and hard-working but cannot afford college.
WHAT CLASSES HAVE INTERESTED YOU MOST AT THE LAW CENTER, OR WHAT CLASS HAS MOST IMPACTED YOUR EDUCATION?
Both Common Law Property and Civil Law Property with Professor Smith were my favorite classes to take. I enjoyed the subject matter as well as the professor. Administration of Criminal Justice was the most impactful class simply because it informed me of my rights.
BEST THING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL, OR BEST ASPECT OF “STUDENT LIFE” AT THE LAW CENTER?
The best thing about law school is the network of friends you build while there. It’s a rigorous lifestyle so we all bond over it and look for ways to destress together. There are also numerous activities and opportunities at the law center such as competitions, organizations, intramurals, journals, and so on.
WHAT DOES THE CLASS OF 1973 SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
I would like to express my complete gratitude to those who were generous enough to help people like me. It means a lot to see my hard work go recognized and it means a lot that they would use the fruits of their hard work to give back to the community.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?
First, I would like to go into the transactional side of law. I really enjoy negotiating. I would also like to become more involved with real estate and rental properties which will allow me to combine my legal experience with my construction experience to provide well-maintained rental properties. I hope to someday get in a position where I can help my community and children with a similar upbringing by providing scholarships and after-school programs.
DAMIAN OLVERA, 1L / CORPUS CHRISTI, TX / LSU LAW CLASS OF 1985 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“Awarding me this gift will have a compound effect on every community that I am a part of. I will never forget those that paved a way for me, and I will forever pay it forward.”
Damian Olvera
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS.
I am a Mexican American first-generation law student from Corpus Christi, Texas. Outside of academia, I enjoy practicing martial arts, playing sports with friends, and watching the Houston Astros.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A LAWYER, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO LSU LAW?
After taking a hiatus from school to pursue a career in real estate, I learned that I can do far more than what I was limiting myself to do. I wanted to open more doors for my family and the community I live in, so I decided that I would focus on a career in law. After interning at the Port of Corpus Christi, I saw an opportunity in Maritime Law that would bring me back to the city I am from and help expand the industry in the area. I look forward to what I can learn here and take with me wherever I go.
WHAT CLASSES HAVE INTERESTED YOU MOST AT THE LAW CENTER, OR WHAT CLASS HAS MOST IMPACTED YOUR EDUCATION?
The Legal Methods course with Professor John Church was an insightful introductory course into the wild ride of my first year in law school. His teaching style is easily adaptable and his genuine concern for his students lowered my anxiety about law school professors.
BEST THING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL, OR BEST ASPECT OF “STUDENT LIFE” AT THE LAW CENTER?
The oak trees around campus remind me of my childhood home. It reminds me of where I come from and how much work it took to get here.
WHAT DOES THE CLASS OF 1985 SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous gift to my academic journey. Your gift means so much to me and to my family back home. Awarding me this gift will have a compound effect on every community that I am a part of. I will never forget those that paved a way for me, and I will forever pay it forward.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?
I hope that after graduation I will be able to land a stable position at a local firm and climb my way up the business chain.
MIKHA ROMERO, 1L / SULPHUR, LA / LSU LAW CLASS OF 1978 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“This scholarship came at a time full of uncertainty. This generous award enabled me to purchase my textbooks without having to burden my family further. The initiative you all have taken to give back to current LSU Law students does not go unnoticed.”
Mikha Romero
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS.
I am from Sulphur, Louisiana, and attended Sulphur High School. A few of my employment experiences include interning for the U.S. House of Representatives and the National Beta Club in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I absolutely love watching LSU football–I met Joe Burrow’s family at the National Championship game! In my spare time, I enjoy running around the LSU Lakes and finding new coffee shops around Baton Rouge. Over the course of my time as an LSU undergraduate student, I volunteered weekly at Highland Elementary School.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A LAWYER, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO LSU LAW?
When I was eight years old, a young female attorney helped my family through a legal dispute that lasted for most of my childhood. This experience, paired with my passion for verbal and written communication, ultimately solidified my desire to become an attorney who could one day help families similar to mine. I specifically chose LSU Law for a multitude of reasons. I fell in love with the LSU campus after spending four years as a student in the Manship School of Mass Communication. The people at this university indeed are uniquely compassionate, driven, and hardworking. I worked as a file clerk at a local law firm, which sparked my interest in learning more about Louisiana’s unique legal practice.
WHAT CLASSES HAVE INTERESTED YOU MOST AT THE LAW CENTER, OR WHAT CLASS HAS MOST IMPACTED YOUR EDUCATION?
I am thoroughly enjoying legal research and writing. As a mass communication graduate, I wrote extensively. However, I enjoy learning a new and more concise style of writing that maintains a balanced structure.
BEST THING ABOUT LAW SCHOOL, OR BEST ASPECT OF “STUDENT LIFE” AT THE LAW CENTER?
I love the community aspect of the LSU Law Center. While I have maintained friends from my undergraduate time at LSU, I have already met many new and friendly faces. Everyone genuinely seems like they desire to be here, and that is refreshing.
WHAT DOES THE CLASS OF 1978 SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
Receiving this scholarship truly is an honor. I am beyond thankful for the generosity of the class of 1978. This scholarship came at a time full of uncertainty. Initially, the pandemic was challenging to cope with financially. I am also from Southwest Louisiana and have recently witnessed my family struggle to patch our community back together. This generous award enabled me to purchase my textbooks without having to burden my family further. The initiative you all have taken to give back to current LSU Law students does not go unnoticed. I am incredibly blessed to have been thought worthy of this honor. I hope to meet you all once there is no extreme health threat looming around the state.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?
After graduation, though awhile away, I would love to work at a firm in Baton Rouge or New Orleans. Through this, I hope to get involved in philanthropic efforts throughout Louisiana and the surrounding communities.
VIRGINIA STEWART, 3L / COVINGTON, LA / LSU LAW CLASS OF 1984 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“With this scholarship, I am able to focus on my studies without some of the financial concerns associated with the costs of higher education.
I would like to thank every alum who made this possible.”
Virginia Stewart
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS.
I grew up in Covington, Louisiana, where I lived in the same house my whole life with my parents and three older sisters. I have wonderful memories and experiences to date that have shaped me into the person I am today. Early on in my academic career, I had an interest in student government. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in leadership roles throughout high school, college, and law school. On a personal note, I have a general interest in health and exercise. I love running and have enjoyed training for various races. To date, I have participated in several 10K races, where I have been able to train with friends while also running for a philanthropic cause. I also appreciate going on walks around the lakes of Baton Rouge with friends.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A LAWYER, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO LSU LAW?
My interest in law was peaked when I spent a summer in Washington, D.C. working for the Majority Whip. During that summer, I learned more in-depth the importance and influence of legislative action. This started my path to better understand the law and what better way to become involved than to participate as a lawyer! I attended LSU for my undergraduate degree, so I was thrilled to accept a position in the LSU Law class of 2021. I was, of course, very familiar with LSU from my time as an undergraduate and knew LSU Law had more to offer because of its stature and foundation in civil law. Additionally, LSU Law strives to help each individual student. LSU Law was the stepping-stone I needed to advance my goal of becoming a successful attorney in Louisiana.
WHAT CLASSES HAVE INTERESTED YOU MOST AT THE LAW CENTER, OR WHAT CLASS HAS MOST IMPACTED YOUR EDUCATION?
I have gained invaluable experience through my externship class. Through this class credit externship, I was able to go to the United States District Court for the Middle District and gain real-life experience inside of a courtroom. I was able to sit in on court proceedings, as well as work on research projects. This class is remarkable because students are given an experience that is unlike any other. I would strongly recommend all students take advantage of this opportunity.
WHAT DOES THE CLASS OF 1984 SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
I am extremely honored to have received the LSU Law Class of 1984 Scholarship. This award helps alleviate a lot of my personal financial burdens. With this scholarship, I am able to focus on my studies without some of the financial concerns associated with the costs of higher education. I would like to thank every alum who made this possible. And, I appreciate the sacrifice each alum made with their contribution to this scholarship. I am humbled to be the recipient of this award, and I will continue to work hard my 3L year.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?
I intend to sit for the Louisiana Bar exam and apply the knowledge LSU Law has imparted to me. I want to justly defend clients by working diligently and effectively, while also providing them with the most successful route to a favorable outcome. I hope to ease the burden and stress of legal difficulties to my clients where possible. My ultimate and long-term goal is to use the knowledge I have gained by attending LSU Law to make a positive difference and perform my duties with the highest degree of integrity and morality.
