Since his father is a pharmacist, his mother is a nurse, and his brother is a radiologist, you might say that healthcare is in 3L Sam Hunter’s blood. While finishing his bachelor’s degree in business at Brigham Young University–Idaho, Hunter became licensed as a pharmacy technician and earned his national certification as well.
“I worked in the Costco pharmacy department for six years and really liked it. It was a great company to work for. However, I wanted to earn a higher salary to support my family and do something else, and law had always been in the back of my mind,” he says.
An interest in law was also spurred by his experience sponsoring his wife, Raquel, who immigrated from Peru.
“After completing her residency and U.S. citizenship paperwork, I started considering law seriously. I recognized that people have issues they need help with, not just in immigration but in all areas of life,” he says. “I became interested in a career where I helped people with their problems.”
Initially, Utah Law made sense for Hunter to attend because he and his wife were established in Utah and had a young son—and then they welcomed twin boys just five months before law school started.
“Geographically, it was nice to not have to move somewhere else, but I was also excited about other factors. Utah Law is highly ranked and well-respected and offers promising job prospects. I also love the building, and it’s amazing to work and study in,” he says. “When I came to visit, it felt like home.”
Hunter also appreciates the friendly culture at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
“Everyone here wants to grow and develop with each other rather than trying to tear each other apart. It’s been an amazing atmosphere. I’ve made great friendships I hope I can continue to have far beyond law school,” he says.
He values the mentors he’s met during the past three years, including Judge Daphne Oberg, with whom he worked during an experiential education field placement at the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.
“Judge Oberg and her clerks, Mary and Graham, were awesome and happy to work with me. They gave me assignments that stretched me and forced me to go beyond my comfort zone—but they were also substantive projects that were important to complete, so I felt I was accomplishing something,” he says. “They gave me constructive criticism in areas where I was lacking and encouraged me in areas they felt I was doing well in. Anyone would be really lucky to have the same opportunity to spend a semester in their chambers.”
Another valuable experience for Hunter was participating in the Pro Bono Initiative‘s refugee law clinic.
“Students get to represent actual clients from different places around the world on refugee and asylum claims. I served a church mission in France and haven’t had the opportunity to speak French regularly since then, so it was exciting to represent a client who speaks French,” he recalls. “These people were hoping to find stability and escape persecution in the countries they came from, and it was rewarding to help them establish themselves here in the United States.”
Though he doesn’t plan to pursue immigration law as a career, Hunter’s many classes about immigration and law throughout the world will pay off: He will earn an international law certificate when he graduates next month.
“I learned all the different pathways to residency and citizenship and the different obstacles people face. I also better understand countries with different policies and ways of thinking and working and know now why international policy can be so slow-moving,” he says. “I hope I can use the knowledge I’ve gained in pro bono opportunities in the future.”
He is also proud to be finishing law school while still maintaining strong relationships with family and friends.
“I’ve also built friendships with those I work with, and the law firm is a place where I hope to develop a successful career,” he says. “I’m happy that I didn’t sacrifice what’s important to me while trying to grow professionally.”
Hunter realized his biggest interest in law also meant a return to his roots. He will soon be joining Nelson Naegle, a firm that specializes in healthcare law.
“Their main area is medical malpractice defense, representing doctors and hospitals and claims against them in medical care. Since the rest of my family is in healthcare, I felt a healthcare-adjacent area of law would be fun,” he says. “I hope to establish a career in this field and am excited to get started.”
Since he built a career as a pharmacy technician first, he encourages others to remember that law is broad and has many different applications.
“If you have experience in a certain area of practice prior to coming to law school, that experience and education is going to be applicable in and through law school. You can take it and make it into a career,” he says. “Lawyers are needed in every area, and law isn’t limited to criminal law or civil litigation. There are so many things you can do in areas that interest you.”