Sydney Jones: 1L Q&A

At the start of the fall semester, Washburn Law 1L student Sydney Jones shared her expectations for law school and her goals as a student. She is from Ottawa, Kansas, and came to Washburn with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in entrepreneurship from Kansas State University. The series will continue throughout her time at Washburn Law.

Q: What motivated you to go to law school?
A: Both of my parents are attorneys. But they never put that idea in my head. I just never saw myself doing anything else, mostly because of them and then through my own experiences.

Q: Why Washburn Law?
A: I always knew I was going to one of the big three: Washburn, UMKC, or University of Kansas. But Washburn was always my number one because of the Third Year Anywhere program and the clinicals it offers. It’s a very different feel from the others – very down-to-earth and welcoming. This reminded me of my undergrad experience at K-State. Plus, the scholarships Washburn offered me were the best.

Q: What is your legal concentration? Why did you choose these?
A: Family law and immigration. As a child whose family went through a divorce, I want to be able to support families going through similarly difficult situations. Immigration is something I’m passionate about because I want to give a voice to those who don’t have a voice or whose voices have been historically suppressed. Also, I’m fluent in Spanish, so working with Spanish speakers would be a main focus.

Q: What part of the law school experience are you most excited about?
A: Short term, it would have to be learning in a way that’s productive to me. Long term, it’s the practical experience. Of course you need to learn, but you also need the practice outside of the classroom. And to make new acquaintances – which I’ve already made many. 

Q: What advice would you like to share as other students prepare for law school?
A: You have to do what works for you. How you study, how you write your notes – you can take advice from other attorneys but at the end of the day it comes down to how you do the work – whatever that may be.