{"id":42233,"date":"2026-05-04T09:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/?p=42233"},"modified":"2026-05-04T13:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T17:57:24","slug":"law-day-celebrates-furman-students-and-alumni-heading-to-law-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/law-day-celebrates-furman-students-and-alumni-heading-to-law-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Law Day celebrates Furman students and alumni heading to law school"},"content":{"rendered":"

Furman University students and alumni made their deliberations and the jury is in: They\u2019re heading to law school.<\/p>\n

The Furman University Pre-Law<\/a> Society hosted its Law Day Celebration on April 29, recognizing the Paladins who are rising first-year law school students. The event honored 26 graduating seniors and recent alumni, many of whom announced their decisions on what law school they will attend.<\/p>\n

This law school cycle, Furman had more than 40 prospective law students who sent out more than 400 applications combined, said Maya Russell, the pre-law advisor in the Office of Pre-Professional Advising (OPPA<\/a>). The university\u2019s faculty and staff supported them with more than 100 letters of recommendation, and many of these mentors attended the Law Day festivities.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople ask me all the time, \u2018Why should I go to Furman?\u2019 It\u2019s the people in this room \u2013 their support, their advocacy,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n

\"A

Emerson Gray \u201925 gives thanks to Dana Professor and Chair of Politics and International Affairs Glen Halva-Neubauer for his mentorship and guidance through Furman\u2019s mock trial team. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University.<\/p><\/div>\n

Support beyond the classroom<\/h2>\n

As the rising \u201c1L\u2019s\u201d took the stage in the Trone Student Center Watkins Room, they gave thanks to the many inspiring mentors and peers who helped guide them along their journey to law school.<\/p>\n

For some, Study Away<\/a> experiences gave them perspective that opened their eyes to new possibilities. Summer internships<\/a> offered practical examples of their future career prospects and prepared them for the professional world.<\/p>\n

For philosophy and politics and international affairs double major Emerson Gray \u201925, Furman\u2019s mock trial team<\/a> helped him see himself in the courtroom. He connected with multiple internship opportunities by networking with professionals through the mock trial team\u2019s founder, Dana Professor and Chair of Politics and International Affairs Glen Halva-Neubauer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our coaches are attorneys, and they meet with us three to five times a week, investing their time and energy into our success,\u201d Gray said. \u201cThese kinds of relationships give students a leg up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paladins are heading to law schools throughout the country, including Northwestern Prtizker School of Law, George Washington University Law School, Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, among others. The following students and alumni were honored at the Law Day Celebration:<\/p>\n