Susannah Finch Theus
Alexandria, Louisiana

• Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law
• Louisiana Law Review Vol. 85 Executive Senior Editor
• Academic Tutor (Legal Research and Writing)
• Two-time CALI Award recipient
• Undergraduate: Tulane University; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Tell us about the student organizations you were involved in at LSU Law, as well as any special events at LSU Law that you may have worked on.

I served as the Executive Senior Editor for Vol. 85 of Louisiana Law Review and a Junior Associate for Vol. 84. 

Tell us about the awards and/or academic honors you’ve received during your time at LSU Law that you’re most proud of.   

The awards and honors I am most proud of center around writing. Serving as a tutor for Legal Research and Writing under Professor (Tracy) Norton solidified my passion for legal writing and gave me the opportunity to support fellow students as they developed their skills. That experience came full circle when I was selected to serve as Executive Senior Editor for Vol. 85 of Louisiana Law Review. Mentoring Junior Associates and helping guide their writing process was one of the most meaningful experiences of my law school career.  

I was also fortunate to have my article, “U.S. Copyright Law Is Fashionably Late to Regulating IP Compliance,” published in Issue 2, Volume 85 of Louisiana Law Review. Additionally, I was recognized as a Paul M. Hebert Scholar and Dean’s Scholar, received CALI Awards in Legal Research and Writing and in Professions, and earned a 4.0 in Climate Change Law. 

These honors reflect the areas of law school I invested in most deeply—writing, mentorship, and growth—and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities LSU Law gave me to pursue them. 

What are your fondest memories of your LSU Law experience?  

My fondest memories at LSU Law are rooted in the friendships I was fortunate enough to build. From attending football games, to dressing up for Barrister’s Ball, to studying in the trenches for final exams, I was always surrounded by my dearest friends. They made every challenge feel lighter and every milestone more meaningful—and for that, I will always be grateful to LSU Law for bringing them into my life. 

What are your immediate career plans after taking the bar exam?  

I am excited to begin my legal career as an associate attorney at Phelps in the firm’s New Orleans office, where I will be joining the Insurance Group. 

What are your long-term career ambitions?  

My long-term career goal is to become a partner at Phelps. Beyond my immediate practice, I hope to continue using my degree as I originally intended: to support those around me and give back to my community. 

What advice do you have for current law students who aspire to graduate as a member of the Order of the Coif?  

My advice to those aspiring to graduate as a member of the Order of the Coif is to learn how to be proud of doing your best. Law school is competitive, challenging, and often defeating. It is easy to lose sight of how far you have come when you are always holding yourself to high standards.  

But something I told Junior Associates on Louisiana Law Review—and often reminded myself—is that doing your best is all anyone can ask of you and all that you can ask of yourself. And if you do not end up exactly where you hoped, you can still be proud—because giving your best is always something to celebrate.