Students to begin legal careers thousands of miles from Green Hall.

As they prepare to walk across the stage at KU Law’s Hooding Ceremony, Kate Rues and Alexandria Vazquez aren’t just celebrating the end of law school; they’re preparing to launch their legal careers more than 7,000 miles from Green Hall.

Later this summer, both graduates will begin clerkships for judges in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean. It's an opportunity few law students pursue, and one neither initially expected.

“I found myself applying to post-graduate work just for the sake of applying and hoping I got hired anywhere. I found that a common mentality 3Ls tend to share is that we have to settle for any job, even if it doesn't align with our passions or interests,” Vazquez said. “One of my best friends, Kate, found herself in a similar situation. We stumbled upon a job listing for a clerkship in Saipan, and we both felt drawn to this unique opportunity.”

Rues echoed that sentiment. 

“I am interested in using my legal degree for career opportunities abroad. This position will allow me to still work within the U.S. legal system, but physically in a new place that will allow me to more easily travel to various countries,” she said. 

The pair found not only a shared passion for the opportunity but also a mentor with firsthand experience. KU Law Professor Glenn Jewell spent more than a decade living and practicing law on Saipan, and he quickly stepped in to support the students' journey.

“My wife and I moved to Saipan in 1992 when I took a job in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands attorney general’s office,” Jewell said. “After the AG’s office, I was in private practice on Saipan for many years with a close friend. I was happy to share my knowledge of the judges, the friendly people of Saipan and the island with Alex and Kate, and to connect them with a friend of mine who still practices law there.”

Both Vazquez and Rues took unique paths to KU Law. Vazquez, originally from Santa Barbara, California, chose KU after visiting during Admitted Students Weekend. 

“I enjoyed the school's atmosphere and the admissions team,” she said. “I wanted a change from living in California, and moving to the Midwest fit this desire.”

Rues, from La Crosse, Kansas, was already a Jayhawk. After earning her undergraduate degree at KU, she saw law school as a way to continue growing her roots while expanding her professional horizons. 

“I chose KU Law because of the scholarship and financial support available for students and because I wanted to continue to grow the local community and connections from my time as an undergraduate,” she said.

At Green Hall, both graduates found ways to lead and give back. Vazquez served in multiple roles on the Student Bar Association (SBA), eventually becoming 3L Executive Secretary. 

“Being part of SBA was most rewarding. I ran for office with two of my friends, and we were able to contribute to the law student experience through creating new merch and planning successful events,” she said. “Furthermore, I was able to share my art with the school through painting the law prom announcements.”

Rues took a different route, throwing herself into practical learning opportunities through KU’s field placements. She completed multiple KU field placement programs, such as a Judicial Externship at the Johnson County Courthouse, Art Law Externship with KU's Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and the Spencer Museum of Art and worked in the Legal Aid Clinic. These experiences allowed her to gain practical experience in many areas.

Despite their differences, both graduates found community in KU’s OUTlaws & Accomplices, and both were grateful for the friendships law school forged. 

"I am grateful for the friendships I have built while at law school, and I presume that they will continue well after graduation,” Rues said.

For Vazquez, attending KU basketball games during her first year was a highlight. She felt that coming from a small college, she had never properly experienced college sports until her time at KU.

Now, as they prepare to begin their clerkships in Saipan, both women are looking forward to deepening that sense of connection in a brand-new place.

“I am excited to begin my legal career in a new region of the world,” Vazquez said. “I look forward to learning more about the rich history of Saipan and fully embracing and immersing myself into the various cultures and opportunities.”

For Rues, the appeal is just as much about what lies ahead as it is about what law school has already made possible. 

“I am excited for the locations I will live in while working and the various areas I can work in as a lawyer,” she said. “I am most intrigued by the versatility of this degree because I am the type of person that would like to professionally explore many areas of knowledge, community, nature of work, etc., during my lifetime.”

As their mentor, Jewell, puts it, “Alex and Kate are bright and curious people – I am so excited for them to have this adventure on Saipan, the island where we raised our kids and which will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

-By Casey Bacot