"I got involved because the stress of law school can build up if time is not taken away from studying and reading over cases," Escue said. "It was nice to have an evening off to relax with friends."
In addition to planning the weekly gatherings, Escue oversees the group's fundraising projects.
"This past fall, we held the first annual Caucus Classic, which was a golf tournament open to everyone, and we raised around $300 for charity," he said. "We also have used cover charges to donate money to the Katrina Hurricane Relief and to students who have faced financial crisis."
Escue first decided to go to law school after working for the State Legislature and Attorney General's Office for a semester in college. At the time, he thought he would like to go into politics and have a hand in creating laws that would benefit his community. However, armed with a political science degree from Marshall University, he decided that he would rather become an attorney because doing so would provide him with a more direct way to impact lives.
"Plus, I like a challenge," he said, "and every person I spoke to regarding law school described it as nearly impossible."
When asked what he enjoys most about the study of law, Escue said it is the "massive amounts of knowledge you obtain." He said that even though he hasn't graduated yet, he finds that his friends and family already come to him with questions regarding the law; and he looks forward to the day when he can really get involved and help them solve their problems.
"Even though I cannot help them yet, I enjoy studying law knowing I will be able to affect people's lives once I finish school," he said.
When he graduates, Escue plans to open his own firm in his hometown of St. Albans, WV. The areas in which he is interested in practicing include criminal law, bankruptcy, and wills and estates.
Q. What do you do for fun? 
A. Golf, spend time with friends and family, sports, movies, road trips. Q. What CD was most recently in your CD player?
A. The Forrest Gump soundtrack, disc two, "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." Q. What is the last magazine you read?
A. GQ. Q. What is your favorite TV show?
A. Prison Break. Q. Who is your role model?
A. My mother and father. |
"I am not going to rule out working with a firm, since it would be a little more secure than opening my own practice, but I have yet to find a firm that fits my personality," he said. "The firm I would mostly like to work for would be small because I believe the firm would be more personable and be a more enjoyable workplace; but if I cannot find one, I can always try to start one."
Escue said that one of his law professors helped give him the confidence to really consider starting his own practice. Vincent Cardi, who teaches contracts at WVU College of Law, captures his students' attention by putting the law into contexts they can relate to.
"He puts the role of a lawyer into context with everyday life," Escue said. "He would always remind his students that a lawyer is only as good as his word and that once you lose your integrity, it's gone."
