LSU Law 3L Jessica Brewer
As Jessica Brewer begins her final year of law school at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, she’s looking forward to a career in immigration law. She grew up on a cattle farm in Arlington, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis, and she became interested in pursuing a career in law after becoming passionate about immigrant rights as an undergraduate.
“I enrolled in classes directly related to immigration patterns in the U.S. and the U.S. South,” says Brewer. “I even traveled abroad to study the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. Those experiences motivated me to seek a career that would allow me to protect immigrant rights.”
Brewer is actively involved in internal and external trial advocacy and moot court competitions at LSU Law, and this fall she is a student attorney in the Immigration Clinic.
Learn more about the LSU Law Class of 1977 Scholarship recipient in the following Q&A:
Tell us about your background, interests, and/or special hobbies, talents, etc.
I usually tell people that I am a country girl with city-girl tastes. I grew up on a cattle farm in a small town just outside of Memphis, fishing whenever I had the opportunity. As an adult I have maintained my adventurous spirit, still fishing as often as possible but also enjoying other opportunities such as traveling and learning about different cultures.
Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what inspired you to come to LSU Law?
During my undergraduate studies, my passion for immigrant rights blossomed. I enrolled in classes directly related to immigration patterns in the U.S. and the U.S. South. I even traveled abroad to study the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. Those experiences motivated me to seek a career that would allow me to protect immigrant rights. As a student at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, I have been afforded the opportunity to take Immigration Law as well as participate in numerous trial advocacy competitions. Advancing to the final round of several internal advocacy competitions has provided me with valuable skills as an advocate. I am very dedicated to providing future clients with the best representation possible. In fact, I will be a student attorney in the Immigration Clinic during the fall of 2020.
Special interests/activities/awards/recognitions while at LSU Law?
As a 2L, I was a finalist in the Opening Statement competition. In the Tullis Moot Court Competition, I was a finalist and ranked in the top ten best oralists in the competition. My team was also runner-up in the Spring 2020 Flory Mock Trial competition; I was also ranked 2nd place best oralist in this competition. Additionally, I was selected to compete on an external mock trial and moot court team. In fact, I co-authored a brief that won an award for 2nd Place Best Brief in the Ulvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition.
What’s the best thing about law school or best aspect of “student life” at the Law Center?
I truly enjoy the opportunity to compete in multiple competitions both internally and externally. I think that has helped prepare me in a very important and practical way for my post-graduation career. I’ve had the opportunity to improve my skills as an oral advocate as well as on the page.
What classes have interested you most at the Law Center, or what class has most impacted your education?
I am, of course, very eager to have meaningful experiences in the Immigration Law Clinic this fall. However, I truly enjoyed Professor Elizabeth Carter’s family law class during my 2L year. It was very informative and highlighted socio-economic inequalities in existing case law and legislation which impact different families.
As the recipient of an LSU Law Class of 1977 Scholarship, what does the award mean to you? What message would you like to share with those alums who invested in you?
I am honored to accept this scholarship; I recognize it as a reflection of my hard work and dedication to becoming the best immigration attorney I can become. Thank you for your contribution!
What are your hopes, desires and plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to practice immigration law in Texas.
