First Year Law Student Megan E. Forst Wants to Practice Family Law or Work in a Public Service Sector

Personal Life

Megan E. Forst is a first year law student at Creighton University School of Law and anticipates a May 2015 graduation. She is currently enrolled in Creighton University College of Business Administration 3/3 pre-law program with an emphasis on Business Administration. The 3/3 program is a partner program between the law school and college of business where instead of selecting a major such as finance or accounting to work on during senior year, the student takes all of the first year law courses. In addition to receiving her bachelors and law degree in six years instead of seven, Megan will earn her Masters of Science in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University's Werner Institute in May 2015. She is in the top third of her class and she plans on practicing family law or working in a public service sector. Megan also has earned the Dean's Academic Scholarship.

Click Here to Find Law Student Jobs on LawCrossing

Megan was born in Norfolk, NE, and was raised in Omaha, NE by her mother and father. Megan explained, “I grew up in a medium sized house in a suburb as an only child. We originally lived in a small town of 25,000 people, Norfolk, Nebraska. Then we moved to Bellevue when I was 8. My parents and I moved into Bellevue and my parents continue to reside there. Bellevue is a suburb of Omaha. The Omaha metro area has nearly 900,000 people.”

While studying at Creighton University, Megan has been part of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) service fraternity (Fall 2009-Spring 2013) and was involved with Alpha Kappa Psi (Fall 2009-Spring 2011). Her undergraduate awards include the TJX Scholarship (Fall 2009), Creighton Academic Scholarship, Ignition Leadership/Service Scholarship, Deans Honor Roll for Social Responsibility (Fall 2009-Spring 2012), Dean's Honor Roll (Spring 2011), College Dems Rising Star Award (Fall 2010) and the Oak Tree Service Award in APO (Fall 2011). Megan also qualified for the Outstanding Pledge Award in APO (Fall 2009) and qualified for the Outstanding Active Award in APO (Fall 2010). She completed the Emerging Leaders Program (Fall 2010).

Megan's academic leadership positions include Alpha Phi Omega pledge class social organizer (Fall 2009), Alpha Phi Omega Family Head (Spring 2010), Alpha Phi Omega LEADS Launch Course (March 20, 2010), Creighton College Dems Secretary (one year), Alpha Phi Omega LEADS Serve Course (June 25-27 2010), Section Conference Organizer (July 2010-September 2010), Alpha Phi Omega Big Sib Coordinator (Spring 2011), Alpha Phi Omega LEADS Explore (January 14, 2012), Alpha Phi Omega LEADS Achieve (January 15, 2012), Alpha Phi Omega Bylaws Assistant (Spring 2012), Alpha Phi Omega Membership Academy (June 8-11 2012), Women Law Student Society 1L Class Representative (Fall 2012-present) and Alpha Phi Omega LEADS Discover (December 1, 2012).

The student's past activities include the Pre-Law Society (Fall 2009-May 2012), Alpha Kappa Psi Co-Ed Business Fraternity (Fall 2009-spring 2011), and the Creighton College Democrats (Fall 2009-May 2012). Megan is currently involved in the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Co-Ed Service Fraternity (Fall 2009-present).

Megan discussed her internships. She stated:

“During undergraduate I participated in three internships and many activities. I interned on the Mark Laker's For Governor Campaign from June to July 2010. As a campaign intern I did some phone banking, entered data into databases, [and] did a lot of research that I then turned around and prepared proposals based on. I was also an administrative intern at Koenig Dunne Law Firm from July 2010 to August 2010. As part of this internship I developed administrative manuals, created a new filing system, and aided our office manager in making the website visually appealing. Prior to and after being an intern at Koenig Dunne I was a court runner for the firm from June 2008 to August 2011. As a runner I took documents to the court house and executed office tasks.

I was an intern at Warren Distribution from May 2011 to May 2012. During this job I aided in recruiting for jobs and executed office tasks. I also researched how one can use social media in our office and developed the social media policy. I also verified employment and employment eligibility for applicants and performed job interview[s]. I also worked for the LiveWise Coalition as a Program Specialist from May 2012 to June 2012 when the grant ended. As part of this job I researched information for the focus groups regarding drugs and alcohol, got police officers and attorneys to attend the focus groups, and developed the plans for the focus groups with PowerPoint slides. I was also the one who developed the design for the resource cards that we then submitted to a professional design company as a template for the company to use as a basis for their design.”

What law school activities does Megan participate in? She replied:

“I am a member of the Creighton University Law Democrats, American Constitutional Law Society, Women Law Student Association, Phi Alpha Delta, Law School Ambassadors, Family Law Society, and the Public Interest Law Forum. In the Women's Law Student Association I am the representative for my particular section of the 1L class. In this capacity I organized our coat drive in the fall semester and in the spring semester I am organizing our professional clothing drive to coincide with our Domestic Violence Week.”

When asked about her hobbies and personal interests, Megan said, “One of my hobbies is going to concerts. I have seen Taylor Swift, AC/DC, Green Day, Hinder, Nickelback, and many more. I also love to watch TV. I'm currently watching [the following] on Netflix: Vampire Diaries, Law and Order, and West Wing. I'm waiting for the next season of Gossip Girl and Supernatural to be put on Netflix. I also like to play video games. I'm pretty good at Soul Caliber.” She also enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling.

Megan's Academic Law Career and Future Aspirations

Why did Megan go into the law? She asserted:

“Initially I decided I would go to law school when I was 10 years old. My 4th grade teacher was married to an attorney. She came into class and some days she would tell us stories of her husband. I vaguely remember her discussing how he was helping people solve their problems. At that time I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. So when I got to high school I joined the mock trial team. I loved getting up and arguing my client's side of the case. I was always questioning witnesses and either did the opening or closing argument. It was so much fun. This just furthered my want to go to law school. I knew I wanted to practice law in Omaha, Nebraska, so the decision came down to either going to Creighton University or University of Nebraska Lincoln. I chose Creighton because my scholarship at Creighton made my undergrad cost the same as UNL did when living in the dorms. Then I learned of the 3/3 program and I was set to go to Creighton Law.”

Megan shared her aims and aspirations. She claimed:

“Ideally I would like to help people through a tough situation, which leads to my enthusiasm of family law. In family law you are taking part in a tough transition in someone's life. These clients need someone who is compassionate about them and willing to help them throughout their case in whatever manner they need. Sometimes you have to recognize that they need to see a therapist to discuss their problems, [and] sometimes you have to talk to opposing counsel to work out a better parenting agreement. Whatever it is, you have to be willing to be there for your client.”

What are Megan's key accomplishments? The candid student admitted, “I think that my commitment to service and to others is my key accomplishment. I have been very involved in community service all throughout undergrad and law school.”

Megan talked about her key strengths and skills that she would like to use to advance her career goals. She said:

“My ability to communicate, argue and debate with people are things I bring to the table that I am good at. My ability to communicate with clients as well as other attorneys is an important attribute because if you can't communicate with clients you won't retain them, and if you can't communicate with attorneys you won't get anything done. You have to be able to relate to both groups of people. You also have to be unafraid to argue with and debate other attorneys to get the best settlement for your client, but you also have to be unafraid to compromise and find that middle ground. I also am someone who people can come to with any problems and I won't judge them. I've had my share of problems and everyone needs an open mind and an open heart toward other people's problems.”

As for her weakness, Megan noted, “Sometimes when working on a project I either look too much or too little into the details. I need to find the happy medium of [the] big and small picture.”

Since law school can be hectic at times, Megan pointed out how she relieves stress. “I remember that this isn't the end all be all. I try to take it in stride. When I get stressed about something I take a break and step away from the situation or the project and just take five minutes to either have a conversation or a breather. During competition I was fueled by the stress to do well. I used the stress in competitions to my advantage and channeled it into adrenaline, which resulted in my high performance.”

Click Here to Find Summer Associate Jobs on LawCrossing

Many readers are probably wondering how Megan handles new assignments. The first year law student shared her process: “When being handed a new assignment, the first question I ask is ‘when would you like this?' This helps me prioritize projects. If the new assignment is due the same day it will be moved towards the top of my to do list. I have a little legal pad that I write everything I need to do in a given day down on. If I don't write everything down, I'm scared that I will forget about something or that I won't be able to prioritize things properly.”

Where does Megan derive her confidence? “I know what I am capable of and know that I can accomplish anything if I set it as a goal for myself which is where I get my confidence.”

Three Wishes to Live By, Dealing with Fear, Major Obstacles and Great Achievements

If Megan had three wishes, they would be for Congress to communicate better and try to find a middle ground, that human trafficking could be eradicated from our world, and that people could be more understanding and compassionate.

In regards to handling fear, Megan stated, “It depends on what I'm scared of. If it's a spider I usually walk the other way or grab something else to put on the spider before I step on it. I'm not scared of talking in front of other people. I am scared of failing though and I use that fear to drive myself to try and be more successful in everything.”

Has Megan faced any obstacles in her life? She acknowledged:

“I have had many obstacles in my life, like anyone else. I think the best way to handle obstacles is to assess the situation and make a determination of what is going on. From there you have to decide what is the best way to handle the obstacle. And always remember that things could get worse. An example of an obstacle I am currently facing is that I am very young for a law student, I'm only 22. Some attorneys have expressed concern with my young age. Others have asked me questions such as when did I get my high school diploma and when was my first W-2 job. I just smile and answer these questions for them. I recognize that if I am nice to them and answer their questions directly I am likely to get where I need to be.”

Is there any particular achievement or activity in which she would like to share with our readers? Megan emphasized, “Alpha Phi Omega literally has been my life for the last four years. Also in high school I competed in the National Forensics League in Student Congress Debate. As a junior I qualified for and attended the National Forensics League National Tournament in Las Vegas Nevada in June 2008.”

Legal Role Models, Personal Philosophy, People You Want to Surround Yourself With, Most Influential Traveling Experience and Favorite Quote

When asked if she has any legal role models, Megan disclosed:

My role models are a few attorneys I have met through my connections. The first one is John Hascall who was my high school mock trial coach. Hascall works as a public defender and is very successful at what he does. He always reminded me that when talking to a jury you need to tell a story.

Next is Susan Koenig who is the founding partner at Koenig Dunne Law Firm where I was a runner. Koenig is very well respected and successful in our community. She told me that high school doesn't prepare you for college, college doesn't prepare you for law school and law school doesn't prepare you for being a lawyer. She then went on to explain that the best experiences for attorneys to be are being clerks in law firms.

Next is Angela Dunne, another partner at Koenig Dunne. Dunne is a loving mother who balances community involvement, her kids, and being a successful partner at a law firm. Her best piece of advice was to not let anyone see you cry and then she proceeded to explain how she keeps her skin thick and what she did before having thick skin.

Marcy Rabe is next. She used to work at Koenig Dunne. Rabe is a loving mother and a successful attorney. Rabe's best piece of advice was to follow your dreams and to not get sucked into everything that is going on with the school. She got sucked into it, looked at her debt and went into an area of law that wasn't the one she originally wanted.

Next is Philip Katz who is a loving father and very well respected successful attorney at Koenig Dunne. Katz's best piece of advice and best thing he showed me is his commitment to the clients he has by staying at work very late with regularity to get the best results and have the best relationship with his clients.”

What is Megan's personal philosophy? “Every day is a new day. You have to live your life to the fullest and you can't be wondering what if for the rest of your life. Just do it. Speak your mind, speak up for others, and most of all speak up for yourself. If you don't speak up for yourself there is no guarantee that anyone else will speak up for you; you are your own best advocate.”

The future attorney talked about what she believes holds more truth in light of her personal philosophy. Was it fate or choice? “Life is all about the choices we make that lead us to our goals. We choose who we talk to and what we make of those relationships and situations.”

What kind of situations and people is Megan attracted to? What kind of situations and people does the law student avoid? She stated, “The people who are my closest friends and are in my group are the most successful people in our class. I prefer to be around people who are similar to me in thoughts and goals.” As for situations and people to avoid, Megan revealed, “I try to avoid people who are negative thinkers and who make poor choices with their life such as people who abuse substances.”

Megan talked about her most influential traveling experience. “My high school does a trip every other year for three weeks during the summer and we go to Europe. On that trip I went to England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Vatican City. This trip was an eye opener for how the rest of the world is and how they see us.”

Megan's favorite quote is "I was born to be stubborn, a little bit bossy, to push people, [and] to push myself. I was taught to never take life for granted, to live a little, [and] to love with everything I have. I learned to never give up, to believe in myself and most of all, to fight for myself.” She explained, “I have lived by this quote for as long as I can remember.” Megan pointed out that the quote reminds her to stop and smell the roses; otherwise life will pass you by.

Completed family law practice and looking for job in your location then click here.