New year for Lawyer in the Library kicks off with continued funding

The speaker series was established five years ago by the law library staff.

“Each semester, a variety of speakers are invited to talk about their career paths, the importance of legal research and writing, and classes to take should a student be interested in a specific type of legal career,” said Macey Edmonson, law librarian and director of stewardship for the law school.

Sherman (BBA 54, JD 60) and Celia (BM 59) Muths recently created an endowment to support the series.

“They recognize the importance of lectureships to the law school; particularly, the exposure of law students to various types of law practice,” Edmonson said. “The endowment has allowed the law school to expand the series and invite speakers from all over the nation.”

This semester, Stacey Stracener (JD 96) started off the series by stressing the importance of taking civil procedure and family law classes. Stracener, an associate with the law firm of Carroll Warren & Parker in Jackson, also said it is useful for lawyers to know other languages.

Stracener, a member of the American Bar Association and the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, also advised students to take more than one bar in order to look more competitive to employers.

Other speakers this semester included U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson of the Eastern District of Arkansas; Reuben Anderson, an attorney with Phelps Dunbar in Jackson; and Glen C. Warren Jr., president and CEO of Antero Resources in Denver, Colo.

Edmonson said typically the series introduces students to attorneys on the plaintiff and defendant sides, government attorneys, judges, attorneys working for nonprofit organizations, and corporate attorneys and executives.

“By exposing students early on to the various careers available, first years are able to explore different classes and internships during their three years in law school,” she said.

—Rebecca Streetman