Law students share their experiences, challenges, journeys and aspirations in pursuing legal career
Six BYU–Hawaii alumni have earned admission to prestigious law schools across the United States. The students and their respective law schools are:
- Gavin Cranney: Emory Law School
- Gracie Messier: BYU Law School
- John Zenger: BYU Law School
- Neva Short: BYU Law School
- Andrew Jonutz: University of Oklahoma School of Law
- Fahina Lauti: University of Hawaii Law School
Bringing change to communities
Fahina Lauti, a graduate from Oakland, California, with a bachelor's degree in political science with minors in entrepreneurship and Pacific Island Studies, said her BYUH journey started in classrooms where her professors infused aspects of law into political science lessons, fostering her growing interest in the subject.
“I was involved in political science activities where the professors made sure to incorporate elements of law into our lessons,” Lauti said. "This really helped me see how closely law and politics are intertwined."
Her passion for law was further ignited during an internship in Washington, D.C., where she worked with the Congresswoman of American Samoa. Lauti served alongside the congresswoman’s main legislative analyst, a lawyer who inspired her to pursue a legal career. “Everything is politically related,” Lauti said, reflecting on her time in Washington. “I saw firsthand how the law influences political decisions, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that process,” she added.
Lauti is currently working in the District Attorney’s office, where she developed a strong interest in criminal law, particularly in prosecuting crimes. “I want to go back to my community and help it become better, provide solutions and hasten rehabilitation,” she said. “Serving my community as a lawyer is my ultimate goal,” she added.
“The law school application process was difficult,” Lauti said. “There were a lot of tears and grinding, but the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) was one of the most important parts of law application. It shows your commitment and desire to go to law school,” she said.
Lauti advises prospective law students to prepare thoroughly, take breaks and choose their community of friends wisely. “It’s important to have a support system,” she said. “Your friends and community can help you stay consistent and build connections that are crucial for your journey,” she continued.
Lauti’s ultimate aspiration is to serve her community as a lawyer, providing solutions and supporting rehabilitation efforts. “I just want to be where the people are,” she said.
Bridging religious freedom and law
John Zenger, intercultural peacebuilding and music graduate with a minor in political science, said he will join the law school at BYU in Provo, Utah. Zenger’s interest in law was sparked by his involvement in the Religious Freedom Initiative at BYUH, where he served as a fellow and lead, he said.
“This initiative introduced me to religious law and gave me the opportunity to research religious freedom in the U.S. and internationally,” Zenger said. “It really opened my eyes to the complexities of religious law and how it intersects with individual rights,” he added.
His admiration for lawyers and their understanding of the world further motivated him to pursue a legal career, said Zenger. “The more lawyers I met, the more I realized how smart and wise they are,” he said. "I wanted to think the same way they do and understand the world through their eyes.” he added.
According to Zenger, his LSAT preparation began in July, with him dedicating six hours a day during the summer to study for the exam. “I took the September exam, but my score wasn’t as good as my pre-tests,” he said. "So, I took it again in January and got a better score."
Zenger applied to seven law schools, slowly hearing back from them one by one before deciding to attend BYU in Provo. "Start studying early," Zenger advised. “The LSAT isn’t a test of knowledge. It’s a test of how you think.” he added.
“The best preparation you can do is start reading and budgeting your time,” he said. "I’m at my best when I use my time productively," he added.
Zenger, who plans to work in the Department of Justice, or a non-profit organization focused on individual rights, emphasized the importance of balancing work and breaks. “Use your breaks to write essays for your application,” he advised. “And focus on doing small and simple things, like setting a timer for work and breaks, doing some exercise and studying the scriptures.” he added.
A vision for systemic change
Gracie Messier, who majored in intercultural peacebuilding and political science, will also be attending BYU in Provo’s law school. Messier said her journey into law was driven by a desire to understand the system and effect change within it.
“I want to go to law school to understand the system and make a change,” she said. “That’s what motivated me to join the Prelaw Society. I knew some friends there, and the department taught us about the multiple challenges of attending law school. We also had the opportunity to meet with many professionals,” she added.
Messier began her LSAT preparation in July and took the exam in September. “I feel like I could have done better, but it was okay,” Messier said. “It was a lot of money wasted but it’s fine. I applied to multiple schools and eventually heard back from BYU in Provo."
Reflecting on her journey, Messier emphasized the importance of setting up a study schedule and investing in preparation materials. “While it can be hard to figure out the financial means to afford preparation, it’s always worth it to purchase prep courses and materials,” she said. “I struggled a lot with balance, but I tried to prioritize what was important to me and seek help when needed.”
Messier’s interests lie in gender-based violence, public interest and criminal justice, particularly in departments working with women or Title IX cases. Her advice to future law students is: “Do not doubt yourself. Be confident and do whatever you want to do. And don’t compartmentalize your life—there’s always room for other things.”
Balancing faith, family and studies
Andrew Jonutz, a graduate who majored in political science with minors in film and organizational leadership, is preparing to attend the University of Oklahoma School of Law. Jonutz shared he faced a challenging decision with his wife about where to attend law school. After considering their families on the East and West Coasts, they chose Oklahoma, a midpoint between their families.
“I studied for 8-to-10 months in preparation for the LSAT,” Jonutz said. “It was a long process, but it paid off in the end.” Jonutz said his LSAT preparation required significant sacrifices, including time away from his family. “I really had to sacrifice my time with my family, like hanging out,” he said. “But over time, I saw my score increase, and when I got a higher score, it opened up opportunities to the law schools I wanted to enter.”
One of the most challenging aspects of the application process for Jonutz was writing a personal statement that set him apart from other applicants, he said. “It took me a while to pick a story I could tell that I was confident about,” he said. “But when I finally did, it made a big difference,” he added.
Jonutz said he wrote about his time as a missionary in Fiji on his personal statement. “When I was there, a cyclone came through and left a lot of the people I was teaching without homes,” Jonutz said. Helping them rebuild their homes and lending an empathetic ear when listening to their stories opened his eyes to wanting to work closely with individuals who have gone through hardships, he added.
Jonutz, who aspires to run his own law firm, emphasized the importance of balancing work and rest. “Take the preparation seriously, but also make sure to have fun,” he advised. “When you take breaks and have some fun, it helps your mind think more clearly. I think that’s something that will help me in law school too, striving to strike a balance between working hard and enjoying breaks.”
Jonutz said his faith played a significant role in his journey. “When you put Heavenly Father first and prioritize your family, I was blessed with extra help to do a lot of things,” he said. “When I devote my time to Him, I felt like I was given more time to do other stuff.”
He also shared the importance of self-reflection and continuous improvement. “Always revisit and evaluate yourself and see what more you can improve,” he said. "Building your relationship with Heavenly Father and our Savior should be a priority."
Jonutz said one of his happiest moments at BYUH was when he decided to work as a temple worker on top of managing his classes. “It was an extra responsibility, but I realized that if I prioritized Heavenly Father, I had more time,” he said. “It was a blessing,” said Jonutz.
Making an impact
Gavin Cranney, a graduate from California who majored in anthropology and intercultural peacebuilding with minors in political science, psychology and international relations, is headed to Emory Law School in Atlanta. Cranney shared that his journey to law school was sparked by his brother’s involvement in the Prelaw Society, which led him to explore the field himself.
“I joined a Prelaw Society Zoom meeting once, and that increased my interest in law,” Cranney said. “I was never really sure about it, but I started to take the steps as if I was serious about it.”
Cranney’s involvement in the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative further deepened his interest in law, he explained. “It gave me the opportunity to understand and be curious about what’s going on in the world and how I can contribute to it," he said.
LSAT preparation was challenging, with the high costs and constant need for motivation being significant obstacles, he said. “It’s a long process,” he added. “You need to ask yourself if you’re sure about your path, but I think that’s part of the experience,” he said.
Cranney’s advice to future law students is to connect with professors and get involved in extracurricular activities. “There are scholarships available, and professors want to help you,” he said. “It’s also important to have time to explore your hobbies."
He said he’s interested in public interest law, civil and human rights and immigration. His goal is to make a societal impact by understanding people and the world around him, he continued. “Be curious and be courageous," he advised. “These qualities will help you succeed in law school and beyond,” said Cranney.