David Ash and Jada Brisentine: Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS

Brisentine was double majoring in English and political science at the University of Memphis. Participation in university student government and mock legislature in Nashville sparked her interest in the language of law and how it functions.
 

Although Mississippi College School of Law was not her first choice, Brisentine said that now, after seeing how friendly the student body is and how helpful everyone is in general, there really is no other school she would rather attend. "So many other schools stress competition, and the students are so driven by that that I think they miss out on the social activities. Our school stresses cooperation, and there is a general kindness and respect for our peers that is everywhere you look. These are the people that I am likely to work with in the future, but I think it's wonderful that we are all able to work together now while we are in school."

Brisentine said that her greatest influence during law school thus far has been Professor Jeffrey Jackson. "Most students are nervous walking into his class on the first day because he utilizes the Socratic method heavily in his classes," said Brisentine. "One learns very quickly that 'I'm sorry, I'm not prepared' is not an acceptable answer."

According to Brisentine, Professor Jackson always expects his students to be prepared and brings an air of professionalism to the classroom. But he is also very willing to help prepare the students for the practice of law by hosting outside workshops on ethics and professionalism and the hiring process.

Brisentine said she enjoys studying law because the applicability of the knowledge gained is almost endless. "It is an exciting discovery process that challenges one to not only consider what one thinks, but to understand why one thinks that way. I cannot think of a more universal subject that I can share in an environment of my intellectual peers," said Brisentine.

Currently her two favorite classes are administrative law and election law. "I enjoy administrative law because it has really opened my eyes to how the government functions from day to day and how regulations really affect our day to day living," said Brisentine. "I enjoy election law because I have always had an interest in the political process, and it is interesting to see both the history and procedure of elections. I work on a campaign, so the material is also very applicable for me right now. This is the first time that election law has been offered at my school, and I am very excited."

During her undergraduate studies, Brisentine interned in the Tennessee House of Representatives in Nashville. Presently she works for Hinds County circuit judicial candidate James Ashley Ogden. She found out about this position after being contacted by Debbie Foley in the law school's career services office. Foley told her that she thought Brisentine would be a good match for this position because of her political background.

"I am Public Relations Manager on [Ogden's] campaign, as well as a clerk for his law office. He has been a wonderful mentor and allows me to sit in on depositions, mediations, and trials. I could not be more pleased with my current job. Career services did an excellent job matching me for this position. I enjoy the work, and the personality of my employer works well with my need to stay busy and motivated."

Brisentine said she also really enjoys scheduling events, designing campaign materials, writing press releases, and calling and networking with important people. "The whole atmosphere is exciting, and I have met so many people that I'm sure I will be working with throughout my legal career," she said. "Ashley Ogden is also very good about allowing me to go to court with him and explaining the finer details of trial preparation that you might not pick up in a law course. Again, I don't think I could have asked for a better match."

What did Brisentine learn during her internship that she wasn't taught in law school? "Law school classes tend to focus more on the theory of the law. I have actually seen a number of legal forms and letters that I would not have seen in a class. I also had the opportunity to view negotiations and trials first hand. I think that there's really no substitute for actual experience within the legal area."

Brisentine continued, "I don't think students realize how important involvement in student organizations is in law school. Many firms have attorneys that were members of several organizations while in school, and I think it's always good to have that common thread when considering whether you might be a good match for a firm." Brisentine added that organizations like the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association and Mississippi Defense Lawyers help students really figure out which areas they may be interested in. These organizations host distinguished speakers and hold networking mixers so law students can mingle with practicing attorneys and ask questions.

Brisentine said that she has had so many new experiences that it is difficult to choose a single greatest memory. "I have to say that the Libel Show, an annual comedy show for charity, was the most fun. We had a Batman skit to make fun of Professor Jackson," said Brisentine.

After graduation, Brisentine said that in addition to eventually opening a private practice, she is very interested in public policy and lobbying. "I've been fascinated with the legislative process ever since my internship in Tennessee. I feel that lobbyists are in a unique position to help advocate the causes of the public and make a difference," she explained.

For David Ash, the decision to become a lawyer was one of the hardest decisions he has made in his life up to this point. Said Ash, "I was born during exam week of my father's fourth of five years of law school [...] he worked during the day and went to school at night. As a little boy that idolized his father, all I wanted to do in life was to be like him, so law was always an interest or at least a possibility for me."

However, once he got to college, Ash said he began to see himself walking a different road and entered the business field: "I accepted an internship with Parkway Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust company, and fell in love with the real estate world and the company. Shortly after graduation with my undergraduate degree in business administration in May 2003, I was made a job offer to stay on board full-time. I began to weigh my choices and knew that if I was ever going to go to law school, this was the time. After much debate, I followed my true heart's desire to enter into the legal world."

Two individuals from Ash's 1L year dramatically impacted his law school career. The first one was Professor Sid Moller, Ash's first-year contracts professor. "Professor Moller is one of the smartest and most laid-back professors that I have ever had," said Ash. "I was naturally drawn to him, as we shared many of the same interests and passions, including our love for the outdoors, our faith in Jesus Christ, and our love for people. In times where I was not sure I was going to make it through my first year of law school, I would simply stop by his office to get some refreshing perspective on life and conquering law school."

The second person was a young man named David Dykes. Dykes was a 3L when Ash was going through his first year. "David was a good friend and roommate in college. He and I also shared a common passion to live out our faith in Jesus Christ. David took the time to check in on me, encourage me, and help me keep perspective. We are still very close friends," said Ash.

Ash said that his favorite aspect of the law is having the ability and opportunity to help people in ways that most cannot. "I love to serve, and I love to bring joy to individual lives. The practice of law gives me an opportunity to serve and help many individuals that are in dire need of help and advice. As a lawyer, I will have the skills and ability to do just that," said Ash. "My favorite courses are business associations, contracts, and real estate. Having majored in business administration and worked at a commercial real estate company, I have incurred a natural interest in business and real estate law. My interest in these subject matters is coupled with a deep appreciation for my professors in these areas."

Ash said that by participating in on-campus interviews organized by Debbie Foley in the placement office, he found two internships, one at Watkins Ludlum Winter & Stennis and another at Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, both law firms in Jackson. "My internship provided me with a much more practical understanding of the practice of law that I feel is not taught in law school. Although this aspect of law practice is not taught very well in law school, I'm not sure that law school is the place to learn [about it]. Much of the practical application of the knowledge that is learned in law school can only be obtained through actual experience like an internship," said Ash.

According to Ash, there are many benefits to being involved in student associations. "First and foremost, this gives you an opportunity to work with people. No matter what area of law you go into, lawyers constantly have to deal with clients and fellow attorneys," said Ash. "Learning how to work with others is an essential part of not only the practice of law, but life as a whole, as well. Student associations also provide an opportunity to contribute back to the law school and those who have given so much to your education. I have loved being a part of student associations like Law Review and the Christian Legal Society."

After two years of law school and two summers of internships, Ash said he believes that his interest lies in business law or, more specifically, commercial real estate. But participation in the Poverty Law Project is his favorite law school memory so far. Through this program, students have opportunities to research specific areas of law and provide legal forms and memoranda for pro bono attorneys to use when doing legal work for those who can't afford attorneys. "I also had an opportunity to help organize and participate in the Hurricane Katrina Legal Symposium, where legal issues revolving around the impact of Hurricane Katrina were discussed by experts in the fields of property, federalism, and insurance. This was a great opportunity to contribute to the legal community in the State of Mississippi," said Ash.