Student aspires to make a difference in hometown
After graduation, Marisol Garcia plans to utilize her legal education in her hometown of Wichita.
Garcia plans to start work at Martin Pringle Law Firm LLP as an associate attorney after taking the Kansas bar exam in July. Garcia was a summer associate at the firm for the past two summers.
“Community has always been important to me, and I want to incorporate that in my future legal career,” Garcia said. “I’m excited to build relationships with my future clients and other attorneys in my area.”
At graduation, Garcia received the Robert F. Bennett Student Award. The award is given to a graduate whose undergraduate degree is from a Kansas university or college and who has demonstrated leadership qualities through public service.
Garcia refined her writing and practical skills through practical courses at KU Law, such as Appellate Advocacy, LGBTQ Seminar and Criminal Practice in Kansas.
At KU, Garcia was a member of OUTLaws & Allies, Hispanic American Law Students Association and competed in the Wagner National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Competition.
“I was immediately drawn to OUTLaws & Allies, and it had a positive impact on my experience during my time at KU Law,” Garcia said. “Our group is full of amazing members who want to use their law degrees to help the LGBTQ+ community wherever they are. It felt great to have a group that shared the same values and desire to help our communities and who were always there to lend a helping hand when you needed it.”
Garcia also served as the president of First-Generation Professionals, an organization designed to benefit KU Law students who are either first-generation college students or first-generation law students. This organization helps prepare first-generation professionals for entry into the legal field.
While at KU Law, Garcia formed a special connection with Professor Laura Hines. Garcia considers Hines’ first-year Civil Procedure class to be her favorite law school course.
“She was always engaging in class and was willing to help you in any way she could, especially when it came to exam time,” Garcia said. “I’ll miss the sound of the pop of her Diet Dr. Pepper cans!”
Garcia’s favorite law school tradition is Women in Law’s annual Pub Night event, which is an annual celebration and fundraiser that benefits The Willow Domestic Violence Shelter and Jana’s Campaign.
“It absolutely does not get better than Pub Night 2019. Can’t choose between the skit, the band and the company! All of the 2Ls and 3Ls were talking about how awesome and fun it was,” Garcia said. “I thought they were exaggerating, but they were completely right.”
Before coming to law school, Garcia interned at Joseph, Hollander & Craft in the firm’s Wichita office.
Garcia earned an undergraduate degree in history from Kansas State University in 2018. She earned a minor in leadership studies and was involved with K-State’s Mock Trial Team.
— By Ashley Golledge
This post is the fourth in a series highlighting a few of the exceptional members of KU Law’s Class of 2021. Check out previous stories about Aidan Graybill, Howard Mahan and Zachary Kelsay. Stay tuned for more profiles as we celebrate this year’s graduating class.