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“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.
Speaking out loud: 3L Sophia Gulgulian advocates for real, lasting change
Jun 05, 2025“Growing up, I was inspired by women who took charge of their lives—those who stepped into leadership, broke barriers, and changed narratives. I knew I wanted to be one of them,” rising 3L Sophia Gulgulian says.
Focusing on individuals: Meet rising 3L Matt McGrath
Jun 03, 2025Rising 3L Matt McGrath earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry before completing a PhD in theoretical chemistry. With a STEM background, McGrath had many career options available—but law school was also in the back of his mind.
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.
Kyle Lowe on finding law and fighting for the Great Salt Lake
May 19, 2025For as long as he can remember, Kyle Lowe (JD class of 2026) has understood the power of being a lawyer. When he was young he read the book “To Kill A Mockingbird,” and he credits its legendary character Atticus Finch, in part, for laying out a moral vision of the profession that resonated with him.
Convocation 2025: Honoring our JD and MLS students
May 09, 2025Congratulations to the S.J. Quinney College of Law class of 2025, who graduated Friday, May 9, at Kingsbury Hall. The class includes 95 students earning a Juris Doctorate (JD) and 42 students earning a master of legal studies (MLS) degree.
From engineering to essential patents: Braden Brown leads IP law student organization
May 05, 2025Since he was a child, 2L Braden Brown planned to become an engineer. During the third year of his program in electrical engineering, his advisors told him to specialize in a particular field. Even after taking a broad range of classes, nothing seemed to stand out.
Professor Brigham Daniels and Kyle Lowe publish opinion pieces for Great Salt Lake Project
Apr 25, 2025Professor Brigham Daniels recently co-wrote opinion pieces with 2L Kyle Lowe for the Deseret News and the Daily Herald about the future of the Great Salt Lake and changing water rates in Provo.
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.
Moot court results 2024-2025: See how Utah Law teams performed
Apr 21, 2025Congratulations to all the moot court team members and coaches who participated during the 2024-2025 school year! See a roundup of the various teams who competed.
Returning to his roots: 3L Sam Hunter pursues healthcare law career
Apr 17, 2025Since 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.
2Ls Thomas Newman and Calvin Strandt score field placement with Utah Hockey Club
Apr 15, 20252L and Utah native Thomas Newman recalls being a “huge sports fan” while growing up, and 2L Calvin Strandt played Division 1 baseball at Abilene Christian University in Texas. When Utah’s new National Hockey League team, Utah Hockey Club, posted a spring field placement opportunity, both Newman and Strandt were excited to apply.
Utah Law holds annual counter-terrorism simulation
Apr 11, 2025Students engaged in three-hour backroom crisis simulations at the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s two-day counterterrorism simulation last Thursday and Friday as part of the law school’s Global Perspectives on Counterterrorism course. After each simulation, students were questioned by an expert panel of political and legal scholars.
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.
Protecting intellectual property: Meet 1L James Finn
Mar 27, 2025Even as a high school student, 1L James Finn knew he wanted to earn his JD and practice patent law. He entered the University of Minnesota intending to earn a bachelor’s degree in science and then apply for law school, but he realized he needed more education first.
Video spotlights: Get to know seven Utah Law students
Mar 26, 2025Want to know more about life at Utah Law? We interviewed seven current Utah Law students—Jennifer Erickson, Dalton Yerke, Grace Greene, Andrew Fender, Anthony Coombs, Bre Hickerson, and Abigail Alexander—about their law school experiences in the latest Student Spotlight video series.
Expanding access to justice: Meet Jessica Guardiola
Mar 24, 20253L and Kansas native Jessica Guardiola worked at a nonprofit providing legal services to undocumented minors in government detention. The experience made Guardiola realize she wanted to attend law school to continue to help undocumented people.
Law of artificial intelligence: Professor Matthew Tokson prepares students for AI legal issues
Mar 12, 2025Fourth Amendment scholar Professor Matthew Tokson has taught at Utah Law since 2017, focusing on law and technology and originally teaching a cyberlaw seminar. In January, he began teaching a new seminar about what has become a new research interest: artificial intelligence (AI).
Bench to Bedside: Students get practical IP law experience through medical device competition
Mar 06, 2025What do OrthoBolt, Noriscope, CathSecure, AdhesioNix, and T-Scope have in common? They’re all award-winning medical innovations designed by Utah teams in the annual Bench to Bedside (B2B) program—.and Utah Law students have a unique role in helping these teams protect their inventions.
Par for the course: Former college golfer and Senate intern Makena Rauch returns to Washington, D.C. for spring program
Feb 26, 2025Idaho native Makena Rauch originally lived in Washington, D.C., when she interned for Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo in summer 2022. Now, nearly three years later, Rauch is once again living in the nation’s capital as part of the S.J. Quinney College of Law and Hinckley Institute’s Spring to D.C. program.
Common cents: Utah Law makes law school more affordable through scholarships and fellowships
Feb 20, 2025Nearly 95% of Utah Law students received scholarships or fellowship awards in 2023-2024, part of the School of Law’s commitment to providing generous financial assistance. See a few of the scholarship and fellowship opportunities available for S.J. Quinney College of Law students.