Meet TJ La, 2L, and learn more about his story at South Texas Law in this Student Spotlight by the Career Resource Center.
Why did you choose to attend South Texas College of Law Houston?
Primarily, I chose South Texas Law because of its powerful reputation in the Houston legal community. Also, I truly feel that alumni from our school want to help South Texas Law students to further their careers. I spoke with countless alumni who shared positive stories about their experiences at this school, and it felt like an easy choice to spend the next three years surrounded by the strong community this law school has built.
Where are you working next summer?
I’ll be a summer associate in the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins, an international law firm. I connected with this role through pre-recruiting in advance of on-campus interviewing. In addition to applying through pre-OCI, I prioritized networking and spending time with attorneys at V&E throughout the early summer.
How did the law school’s Career Resource Center (CRC) help you successfully navigate the recruitment process?
The CRC is an invaluable resource. I did not reach out to the CRC my first semester, but last summer, I coordinated with Marie Garcia. She provided guidance on my OCI materials and helped me navigate upcoming interviews. The team helped me edit my resume and provided me with resources for writing effective cover letters and properly contacting employers. I’m glad I made the choice to contact the CRC and would recommend meeting with a CRC advisor before you go through recruitment.
What are your career goals for the future?
I want to be a transactional attorney. Throughout my education, I’ve been fascinated with a career where I can work with others to facilitate deals while everyone does their small part to contribute to what is the end goal or big picture. When I started law school, I did not know Big Law was in the cards for me, but I am grateful I have been presented with this opportunity and am excited to learn from the best of the best at what they do next summer!
What advice would you share with the future law students going through recruitment?
Prioritize your first-year grades and network, network, and network!
Which professors have influenced you and or your career path the most?
Associate Dean Goodwin and Professors Ricks, Brown-Barbour, and Nelson have been influential on my life and career. They have their own teaching styles, but all of them allow students to synthesize information and apply it to their exams in an effective way.
Prof. Ricks is the best professor at teaching first semester 1Ls how to derive rules from cases. Prof. Brown-Barbour is amazing at teaching students to frame issues in a fact pattern. Prof. Nelson gives detailed feedback, gives good rule statements, and outlines what kind of information he is expecting on the exam, which makes a very difficult subject such as Civil Procedure quite digestible. And last but not least, Dean Goodman takes the time to empower aspiring attorneys to love legal writing.
What student organizations have you been involved with?
I am active in the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and Phi Delta Phi.
How has the South Texas Law community supported your growth?
I believe this community has made me a better student. The STCL Houston faculty truly care about their students. Every professor has taken time to help me learn in ways to prepare for the bar exam. Also, the student community allows for supportive learning that builds confidence. My experience here has been completely positive!
What is something interesting about you we can’t learn from your resume?
A big hobby of mine is finding new all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants! If you have any recommendations, please let me know so I can add it to my list.
