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MLS student Jason Jarvie looks forward to new career in law
May 11, 2026Since 2003, Jason Jarvie has spent his career in law enforcement, working in a variety of roles but always enjoying the training and leadership aspects of the job. Currently, he works for the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety.
MLS student Lucy Christensen shares passion for human rights advocacy
Apr 29, 2026Lucy Christensen has visited 37 different countries and is passionate about international affairs, human rights, and getting hands-on experience, including researching eye care as a global health researcher in the Indian Himalayas.
Growing as a leader: Dr. Irma Fleming pursues MLS degree with health law concentration
Apr 22, 2026Dr. Irma Fleming grew up in Gary, Indiana, and recalls thriving in science and math despite the turbulent social environment around her. She was bolstered by her grandmother, who taught math, and had many friends who were also interested in STEM careers.
Understanding healthcare law as a physician: Meet Dr. Ronak Iqbal
Mar 12, 2026Wanting a deeper understanding of how healthcare law influences policy, oversight, and accountability, especially around fraud and abuse, Dr. Ronak Iqbal enrolled in the Master of Legal Studies program in fall 2025 as one of the first students in its new healthcare law concentration.
A new chapter: Meet MLS student Paulee Shakespear
Feb 11, 2026Paulee Shakespear is making her storied name proud. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history (minoring in English) from Brigham Young University and currently works as an archives specialist at BYU Special Collections, caring for folklore collections from the 1960s to the present. She’s also halfway through her Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree at Utah Law.
Video spotlights: Learn more about Utah Law through five students’ perspectives
Nov 05, 2025Our videographer sat down with four current Utah Law students—Isaac Santos, Taylor Pike, Bron Lore, and Grant Boyden—and 2025 alumna Norma Erekson to talk about their law school experiences in the latest Student Spotlight video series.
MLS student Mahea Aki defines advocacy as the heart of her work
Oct 27, 2025Mahea Aki is a proud native Hawaiian and first-generation college graduate who grew up on the island of Kauai. After graduating from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, she began working for the University of Utah’s Office of the Dean of Students and recently applied to Utah Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.
A path to legal impact: Meet Mikey Reynolds, MLS scholarship recipient
Oct 20, 2025As director of compliance at Zions Bancorporation, Mikey Reynolds, who focuses on regulatory compliance and risk management, wanted a structured legal foundation. He chose Utah Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program and began classes in August 2025.
MLS alum Norma Erekson begins her third act
Sep 21, 2025Norma Erekson, a 2025 graduate of the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, has raised her family, nurtured a love for lifelong learning and education, pursued a jack-of-all-trades career, and aided in various humanitarian projects. Now at retirement age, Erekson shows no signs of slowing down.
Michael Pressman joins Utah Law to teach in MLS program
Jul 14, 2025Associate Professor Michael Pressman joins Utah Law as a new faculty member this upcoming academic year. He comes as a recent postdoctoral fellow and lecturer on law at Harvard Law School’s Project on the Foundations of Private of Law.
“All the difference”: Mark Ward on the Master of Legal Studies program
Jun 11, 2025Ward didn’t initially plan to take a road leading to a graduate program in law. He spent eight years as the Missouri state budget director before moving to Utah in 2001 and later transitioning to University of Utah Health. Because he wanted more knowledge of the law and how it pertains to his work, Ward applied to the in-person MLS program.
Single mom and working professional: Abby Hirshberg tackles the online MLS program
May 27, 2025Master of Legal Studies (MLS) student Abby Hirshberg has worked in retail in one way or another since her first part-time job in high school.
Taking the non-linear path: Christina Rodriguez’s journey through the Master of Legal Studies program
Apr 24, 2025A few setbacks prevented Christina Rodriguez from enrolling in a JD program after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from the University of Utah. Instead, she made a pivot turn and applied to Utah Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.
Legal Masters Conference: Find out how our Master of Legal Studies program is growing and changing
Apr 07, 2025Master of Legal Studies program leaders recently presented at the Legal Masters Conference at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, speaking about a pragmatic approach to marketing Utah Law’s MLS program.
Jennifer Erickson finds connection in the online Master of Legal Studies program
Feb 13, 2025Jennifer Erickson, director of operational risk management for Zions Bancorporation, is enrolled in the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, gaining a better understanding of the law and how it applies to her work without having to become a practicing attorney. She is excited to earn a master’s degree in only one year.
‘It brings the good within you out’: Travis Goff discusses his MLS education
Feb 08, 2025As a senior in high school, Travis Goff attended a University of Utah football game and dreamed of attending the university. Now, more than 30 years later, that wish has finally come true: Goff recently graduated from the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s Master of Legal Studies program.
Practical knowledge: James Duffin shares value in MLS degree
Feb 04, 2025James Duffin earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Utah State University, initially intending to become a religious educator. However, his interests shifted toward a career in law.
MLS career coaching: Meet Dominic Militello
Dec 16, 2024Dominic Militello began working in career coaching more than 25 years ago. When he started working at the University of Utah in 2022, he was excited to be part of a larger university initiative to coach students.
More than just a degree: McKell OldBull talks about motivations for MLS program
Oct 22, 2024McKell OldBull knew she wanted to pursue a career in the justice system while attending high school. Originally from Peach City, Arizona, OldBull grew up on the Hualapai Indian reservation and recalls that there were limited resources when she was growing up.
MLS program: See what’s new and how alums have achieved success
Oct 03, 2024MLS alum Leigh Ann Bauman initially wanted to be an attorney but decided it wasn’t for her after working as a legal assistant. In fact, she left the law altogether. Bauman is now one of the program’s most recent graduates, joining 29 other students—10 fellow classmates in the in-person program and 19 in the online program—who completed their MLS degree.
John Seegrist finds new opportunities with MLS degree
Jul 24, 2024Seegrist began the Master of Legal Studies program (MLS) in fall 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he was the operations director for Willis Towers Watson and thought the knowledge would be beneficial to his career, but he never had any intention of changing directions once he graduated.