Anna M. Mester
DuPont, Washington
- Juris Doctor
- Dean’s Scholar
- 2024 Spring Ira S. Flory Mock Trial Competition winner
- Board of Advocates Board Member
- 2023-24 Society for Asian Lawyers President
- Undergraduate: Seattle University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
What are your immediate career plans?
Once I take the bar and (hopefully) pass, I will go on to training for the Army JAG Corps. I currently have a four-year service obligation where I look forward to gaining knowledge in various areas of the law.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
If I decide to stay in the Army, I aspire to outrank my mom (she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel). If I decide to get out of the Army after my service obligation, I would like to work in immigration law to help people navigate through the complex and confusing system.
Please tell us about the organizations and activities you participated in at LSU Law, including any awards or honors you received.
I was a member of the Society for Asian Lawyers my 1L year, later serving as vice president my 2L year and finally as president my 3L year. I was also a member of WLSA and PILS. After competing in the 2022 Fall Flory competition, I was selected for the National Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition. Later that spring I also competed in the 2023 Spring Flory competition and made it to semifinals. The fall of my 3L year I was selected for the Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition. Lastly, spring of 3L year I was a semifinalist in the ABA Client Counseling Competition, a finalist in the first Criminal Law Interviewing and Client Counseling competition, and winner of the 2024 Spring Flory competition. I was also on the Board of Advocates, which allowed me to help with the various internal competitions that we host as well as our external teams where I was fortunate enough to coach the Bayou Challenge Mock Trial Competition Team along with three other 3L students.
Please tell us about any LSU Law faculty, classes, or other experiences that were particularly impactful on your legal education.
I absolutely loved taking classes with Professors (Caprice) Roberts, (Darlene) Goring, (John) Devlin, and (Tom) Galligan. As someone who is taking the Universal Bar Exam, they have prepared me extremely well. I am so very grateful for the way they made class memorable and fun. I also really enjoyed the juvenile seminar I took with Professor (Jack) Harrison. It was a very eye opening experience to learn more about the juvenile justice system and how different the goals are from the adult system yet how similar the results are. There is much to be done in both areas.
What are your fondest memories from your time at LSU Law?
My fondest memories at LSU Law center around all my wonderful friends. Even through the long hours studying, they always brought laughter. Above that, my absolute favorite memories are those in advocacy. Their never-ending support and encouragement helped me come into myself and be confident that I am smart and skilled enough to make a great lawyer. Without them as teammates, witnesses, and sometimes just an open ear, I don’t know how I could have done any of it. Also, coming from a small undergraduate school in Seattle, football season in the SEC was a whirlwind. I loved dressing up and shouting “GEAUX TIGERS” until my voice gave out.
What advice would you give to students entering law school who aspire to become Order of the Barristers members when they graduate?
My advice would be to get involved as much as you can, in as many different areas as you can. Find what you are good at or what you enjoy and reach out to those who did it before you to figure out how to improve and be the best. Do the internal competitions, try out for the external teams, embrace everything law school has to offer, and be an active learner every step of the way. If not for the accolades do it because every experience will truly make you better and more confident in your skills.
