Whether through her work as a former therapist or as a lawyer-in-training, Kirsten Clark ’24 has learned a thing or two about building rapport.
As a University of Virginia School of Law student, Clark has been an editorial board member of the Virginia Law Review, a liaison to prospective students as a school ambassador, and co-chair of the Student Bar Association Diversity Advisory Committee.
Before law school, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Auburn University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia.
In our occasional series “Star Witness,” Clark discussed how therapy and lawyering skills intersect, and what she enjoys about being an ambassador for the school.
Tell us something about your life before law school.
Like many of my classmates, I spent several years working before law school. Immediately after graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I channeled my desire to help others into a career in mental health. After I received my master’s, I worked as a home-based therapist for individuals and their families but eventually left the field and worked as an academic adviser. Sometimes, people are surprised to hear that a former therapist is (almost) a lawyer, but I find there’s a lot of crossover between the skills required to be a good therapist and an effective lawyer. Attorney-client relationships and therapist-client relationships are both built on trust. As a therapist and an attorney, I build trust and establish rapport with clients through actively listening and empathizing with their problems, whether legal or interpersonal.
Why law school?
Feeling stagnant in my career as an academic adviser, I looked into higher education graduate programs, but I found myself disinterested. I took a step back to consider other career paths and was drawn to law school because of my experiences working as a therapist. With the pandemic affording me the time to study for the LSAT, I decided it was the right time to go to law school.
Describe your most interesting law school experience.
I have had many unique experiences at UVA Law inside and outside the classroom. Outside of the classroom, I was given the opportunity to attend a [Law School Admission Council] Law School Fair as a student ambassador. One of my favorite things about working in higher education was attending recruiting events, so I had an amazing time meeting prospective students — who could also be my future classmates — and hearing about their wide-ranging interests and career goals, all while getting the opportunity to travel and represent UVA Law. What I like about being an ambassador is the chance to speak candidly with students about what I love about the Law School while helping students learn how they can accomplish their career goals and personal interests. I really enjoy the process of connecting with people.
My most interesting experience inside the classroom was when Justice Stephen Breyer came and spoke to my Constitutional Law class during my 1L spring semester. Having read many of his opinions, getting the chance to hear about his career and life in his own words in a small, intimate setting was an unforgettable experience.
What’s something your classmates don’t know about you?
Another job I had before coming to law school was generating closed captions for live and pre-recorded television. I used to watch all kinds of random programming, from cricket to the U.S. presidential debates to Canadian news. It was a fast-paced and interesting experience!
What’s next for you?
After graduation, I will be moving to Houston to work at Norton Rose Fulbright, the same firm where I worked as a summer associate during my 1L and 2L summers. I’m not sure of the practice group I’ll be working in yet, but during my summers, I worked with various litigation practice groups, including commercial litigation, energy and infrastructure, and labor and employment.
Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.
