RLOP students tour UNL College of Law

All 12 students who toured the College of Law are from Nebraska. They are Natalie Boyd of Stratton, Elizabeth Brown of North Platte, Gunnar Buchhammer of Scottsbluff, Carlos Calle of Chadron, Celeste Cardona of Mitchell, Samantha Carrillo of Alliance, Alexandria Nobiling of Chadron, Chessa Parker of Chadron, Cole Retchless of Bridgeport, Elizabeth Rotherham of Crawford, Ana Salinas of Beaver City, and Carter Thiele of Oakland.

Leesch said the students observed six attorneys argue cases in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Special Session, toured the law school, attended classes dealing with property law and civil procedures, met first-year law students, and dined with UNL College of Law Dean Richard Moberly and Associate Professor Anthony Schutz and RLOP students from Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Rotherham said she appreciated the opportunity to talk with current law students and professors who offered advice on what to expect in law school.

“The trip was a great success. It has benefitted my overall educational experience and it has helped me prepare for my future. Talking to the students and professors and speaking with admissions were highlights of my trip. I was able to sit down with admissions and gather answers to my many questions, and I was met with friendly faces everywhere I went. It not only gave me a glimpse of my future, but also eased many of my worries about what’s to come.”

Parker said she also felt reassured by the visit.

“The tour showed me that law school does not have to be a scary place. Anyone can attend and succeed as long as they are willing to put in the time and effort that is required. There is such a range of personalities that can fit in well,” Parker said.

The RLOP program, established in 2017, is modeled after the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP), which for over 25 years has guaranteed a select number of Nebraska rural students’ admission in the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Approximately 60 percent of RHOP graduates have returned to rural Nebraska communities to practice, helping to ease shortages in rural health care providers. With 11 of Nebraska’s 93 counties currently having no attorneys, similar results in the RLOP program will positively impact access to legal services for all Nebraskans.