Life at UST Law

Marie (Reigstad) Ellis ’10, Lobbyist and Advocate, Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice
Director, UST Law Alumni Board, 2012 & 2013
Member, UST Law Annual Giving Committee, 2011 to present

The University of St. Thomas School of Law, as a Catholic law school, is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice.

Marie Reigstad Ellis, ’10

I could take the easy way out and write a blog post about how I live the mission through my job. After all, I work as a lobbyist and advocate for Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice. This article could write itself.

But, the mission of the UST School of Law encompasses more than our occupations. Each of the graduates, faculty and staff of the School of Law interprets this mission differently. For me, it is a calling to integrating faith and reason.

During my 1L year, my cohort and I were the guinea pigs for a new class called “Foundations of Justice,” taught by Professor (now Dean) Vischer. We were assigned to read Somersett’s Case, an English case involving an American slave brought to England. I was called on to present the facts of the case.

After my perfect articulation of the facts, Professor Vischer asked a startling question: “Marie: Why is slavery wrong?”

I stammered, “Uh…because…it is. I mean, what? Everyone knows it’s wrong.”

He asked again.

I got pretty flustered. I assumed the assignment was to read and understand the facts of the case then regurgitate them in class. Instead, I was caught trying to explain the deeper, moral and seemingly self-evident questions of why slavery is wrong. I was utterly unprepared.

(more…)

Lt. Colonel (P) Johanna P. Clyborne, Esq.
Attorney, Brekke, Clyborne & Ribich, L.L.C.
United Stated Army War College Fellow

One’s actions show the world his or her commitment to the tenets of the UST Law School mission:  integrating faith and reason in a search for truth, social justice and morality.  Sometimes, I do not feel like the mission of UST Law resonates with me, but then I am reminded that nowhere in the mission does it say GOD or CATHOLIC.  Reflecting on my own actions and the lives of those surrounding me, I see the myopic lens enlarge and understand that I live the Mission in Action.

After law school, I chose a work setting that allowed me to help others achieve justice and legal process while remaining true to my vocations of wife, mother and a Soldier.  I will not become rich, but I practice law with my best friends, not mere colleagues, who share similar values. Through my law practice, I am committed to help people find resolutions to difficult life issues.  It is more than just practicing law.  It is about providing hope, comfort, guidance and every now and then a swift kick in the pants.  I am more than a legal technician; I follow my moral compass to counsel people on how to improve their situation and head in a more positive direction. Sometimes a client just needs a little encouragement to take “baby steps” or the simple affirmation of “you can do it.”

(more…)

Guest blogger Carrie Burton ’08
Associate Attorney, Midwest Disability, Chicago, IL

My goal is to have the School of Law’s mission as a mind frame for my work. Every day is a new opportunity to focus on social justice and to work for a more moral and equal society.

Carrie Burton ’08, Associate Attorney, Midwest Disability, Chicago, IL

At my job, I represent people who have applied for federal social security benefits. My clients suffer from physical and mental health impairments. Often they have both at the same time. I work with them before their hearings and represent them at administrative hearings before a judge.

My clients are usually people who I wouldn’t normally have a lot of contact with in my daily life. A good number of them are homeless. Many of them are in and out of mental hospitals and a few are in prison. They are in great need of most things that provide stability; things like health care, financial resources and good health.

Any court experience is traumatic for my client. They are in front of a several strangers, discussing their most personal issues. And there are moments, usually in the waiting rooms of courts where I get nervous. That is when the moment of clarity hits me, it is going to be me and my not-well client versus one of the biggest bureaucracies in the country and I start to doubt our chances. Through thousands of pages of medical records and expert testimony and legal standards—I search, with the court, for the truth. When we win, it is such a relief. When we win it means my clients are not completely destitute and will have some health care. But sometimes the truth gets lost and we are unsuccessful.  Sometimes the truth is that my client does not meet the legal standard. I don’t win every case. That is hardly the case. Sometimes at the end of the day all I can offer is a listening ear. My client knows that I have heard her story. I have told her that what she is going through is not right and not fair. So even on the days that I am not successful I am grateful that I am able to practice the law and ease the burdens of my clients, even if it is for just a minute.

Studying at St. Thomas confirmed the notions that being an attorney is an opportunity to serve my community. I love that being an attorney is interesting and engaging intellectually but more importantly it is an opportunity to stand with the disadvantaged, to be an advocate for the underserved.  I hope to ensure the people I work with are treated with integrity. Working to treat all people with integrity and trying to unlock the doors of access is how I interpret the mission. And every day I live the mission imperfectly, but it is a privilege to attempt it day after day.