Meredith Lyn Parker
Crowville, Louisiana
- Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law
- magna cum laude graduate
- Paul M. Hebert Scholar
- Dean’s Scholar
- Director of Judicial Relations-Trial, Board of Advocates
- Undergraduate: LSU, Bachelor of Science, Management
What are your immediate career plans?
Starting this fall, I will be clerking for the Honorable Judge John W. deGravelles (’74) at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
I would like to become a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office.
Please tell us about the organizations and activities you participated in at LSU Law, including any awards or honors you received.
I was involved in the Advocacy Program, participating in Flory my 2L year and two external trial competitions. My 3L year I was elected to the Board of Advocates Executive Committee as Director of Judicial Relations for Trial Advocacy. I also received CALI awards in Evidence, Insurance Law, and Administration of Criminal Justice II.
Please tell us about any LSU Law faculty, classes, or other experiences that were particularly impactful on your legal education.
Evidence with Professor (John) Devlin during the summer after my 1L year was the first time where I could see how the lessons we learn in law school could be used in our careers. I loved learning how to use the Rules of Evidence to craft an argument, and it certainly helped me when competing in trial competitions. The fast pace of the summer course with Professor Devlin showed me that I was capable of learning a lot of information in a very short amount of time (which is good to know while studying for the Bar).
What are your fondest memories from your time at LSU Law?
Some of my fondest memories of LSU Law come from my first semester. On the first day of class, I was the very first person in our section to be cold called. Professor (Bill) Corbett called on me to discuss the first case we read, and I remained on call the entire week. This might have been a sign of things to come, because I was cold called several times in nearly every class, including Professor (Ray) Diamond’s Criminal Law class, where I was his designated “victim”. It became a running joke in Section 2 that “Ms. Parker” would always be called on. Also in my first semester, I found a study group that I worked well with, and we became the best group of friends I could ask for. Through long hours of studying together, making up ridiculous hypos, and saving each other from cold calls, we’ve formed friendships that will last well beyond law school.
What advice would you give to students entering law school who aspire to become Order of the Coif members when they graduate?
When you are studying, find what works for you. You may have to make adjustments from how you studied in college, but over time you will hit your stride. Work hard, and do not count yourself out if you walk into your first day and it seems like everyone has law school figured out because they probably do not. Law school is different than anything you have done before, and everyone is in the same boat just learning how to succeed.
