3L Taylor Pike comes from a family of swimmers and began the sport as a child. She swam on the team at Texas A&M University, becoming a four-time All-American honoree when she graduated.
“My main goal in college was to succeed athletically, but about halfway through, I discovered that my true passion was writing,” Pike recalls. “I decided to pursue an English major and then received a master’s degree in English and literature from the University of Arkansas.”
While she originally intended to pursue a career in academia, Pike discovered while finishing her master’s program that academia was not the right path. Instead, she began considering law school.
“I felt that practicing law had more purpose behind it,” Pike recalls. “I could make more of a difference and help people with that skillset.”
Pike says Utah Law was her top choice because of the change of scenery.
“I’m from the south and grew up in Arkansas, went to school in Texas, and then back in Arkansas. My partner and I knew that we needed to get out into the mountains, and this was our chance,” she explains. “The professors are great, my cohort is also great, and I feel very lucky to be in such a gorgeous building and a gorgeous location.”
Utah Law’s Pretrial Practice and Trial Advocacy classes were practical and helped Pike in her experiential education opportunities, including working as a law clerk at Burbidge | Mitchell and then the Utah Attorney General’s Office.
“I enjoyed both my private firm and government work in different ways, and I have a lot of great mentors in the litigation division of the Attorney General’s Office,” she says. “I’ve gotten a lot of great practical experience, and I’m also lucky enough to work with a really great cohort of other law clerks that are pursuing the same passions and career paths.”
The Utah Law Review has also helped Pike to hone her writing skills while in law school.
“I joined the law review the summer before my 2L year after completing the write-on competition, and now I’m part of the senior staff,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with other students who have similar interests.”
Her love for writing has paid off: During her 2L year, Pike received a contract for her first novel, “Some Call Me Eve.”
“I was able to edit it and put it into the world this summer—something I was really glad I could do while still pursuing my legal degree,” Pike says. “I’ve been doing a lot of marketing for my book and doing signings in the area while still working for the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and the people there have been so supportive.”
In fact, Pike says, many colleagues have bought their own copies of the book.
“We’ve been able to discuss it, and a lot of my coworkers are reading it right now,” she says. “Some of them have attended my signings. It’s been amazing to get great career experience while still being able to prioritize my writing and having the time to do marketing.”
When she graduates from Utah Law next spring, Pike would like to practice within medical malpractice defense and hopes to one day work in-house for a hospital’s risk management division.
“I started law school not quite knowing what I wanted to do, but I enjoyed torts during my first semester and found that I was most interested in the combination of torts and health law,” she says. “I’m passionate about women’s rights and rights for female athletes, too. While it’s not something I’ve been able to find a niche in for a career, it’s definitely something I’d like to pursue on the side, if possible.”