Women Judges, Lawyers Inspire Girls Interested in Law

TASTE OF JUSTICE: Women judges, lawyers inspire senior girls to go into law

Jessica Swanson had a strong interest in entering a legal profession before she stepped into Courtroom 303 at the Grand Forks County Courthouse on Tuesday morning.

By: Chris Bieri, Grand Forks Herald
Published December 09, 2011
Grand Forks Herald - Original article

Jessica Swanson had a strong interest in entering a legal profession before she stepped into Courtroom 303 at the Grand Forks County Courthouse on Tuesday morning.

By mid-afternoon, she not only had that notion reinforced, but also received guidance and advice from a dozen women she may someday count as peers.

Swanson, an 18-year-old Red River High School senior, was one of 18 students participating in the "Color of Justice" program sponsored by the National Association of Women Justices.

The program aims to encourage interested girls who are seniors to consider a legal career.

"I would like to become a lawyer," Swanson said. "I've known that for awhile. This is just a really unique opportunity to meet with lawyers who have been working for awhile, some who are newer and one of the girls is currently in law school."

Local mentors

The program was coordinated by Grand Forks County District Judges Karen Braaten (Class of 1979) and Debbie Kleven (Class of 1983) and Pembina County District Judge Laurie Fontaine (Class of 1983). It also featured a number of local female lawyers, both from private practice and the state's attorney's office.

It included a panel discussion, a presentation by local bar association President Stephanie Johnson (Class of 2008) and a mock trial.

"I think it is a really good program to just let kids know about what careers in law are available and what they might be interested in and get some more information about it," Fontaine said.

The students also got a taste of different options for those not interested in becoming an attorney.

"We mainly tried to talk about the different areas of law they could go into, not just being a judge or lawyer," said Grand Forks Attorney Rhiannon Gorham (Class of 2010). "It was nice to have a court reporter and a clerk, so they could find out what those positions are and how you can get into them."

Profession

During the panel discussion, Fontaine shared her early experiences of being a woman in a profession still dominated by men at that time.

"I practiced in Pembina County for years and never saw another woman in the courtroom," she said.

While the three judges provided the students with nearly 100 years of legal experience and anecdotes, many of the attorneys offered fresh, practical advice.

Gorham, who graduated from UND Law School in May 2010, said it helps provide the students with a sense of where they could be in the near future.

"Law school and the bar and getting licensed are still fresh in my mind," said Gorham, who graduated from UND Law School in May 2010. "I can relate what the legal environment is like right now, what the job situation is like, what my experiences are with the standards for getting into law school. We're not so far removed from the people we're working with that we can still relate to them."

The mock trial was geared toward the young crowd, revolving around a "sexting" case involving students at a high school.

The trial used mentors to act out all areas of the process. Court reporter Michelle Bredemeier and Clerk of Court Kelly Hutton advised students on those jobs while prosecuting and defense attorneys helped the seniors adjudicate the case.

'Not a 9 to 5 job'

With working hours that can go around the clock, balancing family and career can be especially tough for attorneys. Many of the panelists shared their experiences of being a mother and wife while still trying to thrive in a competitive workplace.

"I'm sure that the girls that were here will think about those issues as they go forward choosing a career," Fontaine said. "The reality is that it's not a 9 to 5 job. It's hard work to keep up on the law."

Family-related requests made by attorneys in the courtroom used to be frowned upon, but now are commonplace and are made by males almost as often as females.

"I think everyone is more sympathetic," Kleven said. "It really isn't unusual for an attorney to say, 'Can we be done at 4:30? I have to pick up my kids.' That never would've been done 10 years ago."

The program provided answers to practical questions, something that Gorham said all the girls will need if they pursue a legal education.

"I did have a lot of programs like this or mentors, where I could ask those practical questions," she said. "I know this is what the book says, but what am I going to see in practice? I think that's best to have an experience like this. It motivates you to get into a career like this."

The experience sealed Swanson's future plans.

"Participating in this event totally makes me excited for law school," she said. "I definitely want to be a lawyer. This has sparked a flame in me."

Bieri reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1118; (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or send email to cbieri@gfherald.com.