Graduate Profile: Nick Velo, L’24

First-generation law student takes hands-on experiences with him into his career

Nick Velo, L’24

For some, law school isn’t a straight shot to the courtroom. Students can make the most of their three years in law school exploring all avenues of the law and finding their niche. Sometimes, this leads to surprising results.

“I was always hesitant to say I wanted to go into criminal law,” said Nick Velo, L’24, “The thought of having somebody’s liberty on the line was always frightening to me. It felt like there was too much at stake, and if I mess up, then someone faces an unjust outcome because of my error.”

His outlook on criminal law changed, however, after he took Criminal Procedure with Professor Jean K. Giles Phillips. It was her advice that gave him the courage to really start looking toward a career in criminal law.

“She said that it’s the people who are the most anxious about doing well who do the best in criminal law because it shows that they care,” said Velo. “It’s the ones who aren’t worried about doing well that will perform the worst.”

After graduation, Velo plans on joining the Emporia office of Kansas Legal Services where he’ll focus on criminal law. Unlike others in his graduating class, Velo wants to stay small and work in small towns like his hometown Emporia.

Velo moved to Lawrence for his undergraduate years where he took part in the LEAD program. He received his bachelor’s in political science and hopped right into a law degree, but law wasn’t always the goal.

“It was a possibility I had considered,” said Velo, “but it wasn’t something I was super set on. I figured I’d leave it as an open option and cross that bridge when I got to it.”

Thanks to Professor Phillips, Velo got involved in Project for Innocence his 3L year to get some more hands-on experience in criminal law.

“The message behind the Project was important to me,” said Velo. “We want to give people who are incarcerated the access to courts and the ability to file things. They have a right to be heard.”

Velo and his co-counsel, Ellie Moser, took this to heart when they were assigned a client spending time in Hutchinson Correctional Facility. They spent time listening to his story and doing what they could to investigate ways to help him. Unfortunately, they were unable to help him, but it was still a lesson that Velo knows he’ll take with him into his career.

Looking back, Velo is thankful for the hands-on experience he received during the last three years. Some of his favorite moments include the time he spent with the Project as well as his final trial held by Professor Adam Sokoloff in his Trial Advocacy course.

“We had a hung jury,” said Velo with a laugh. “It was a jury of two people, but it was still important. It was nice to be able to have that experience of how things really work.”

For future and fellow first-generation law students, Velo shares his experience:

“Law school can be really scary and intimidating,” Velo said. “Coming from a middle-class background and being a first-generation college student, the entire process felt very intimidating, but I’ve still managed to find a niche place here at KU.”

No doubt many more students like Velo can find their niche as well, no matter their background.

–By Emma Herrman

Graduate Profile: Jade Kearney, L’24

Student finds right place in transactional law

Jade Kearney, L’24

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.”

– Atticus Finch, “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Jade Kearney knew from a young age that she wanted to be a lawyer and it was thanks in part to the literary classic by Harper Lee.

“I was in the third or fourth grade telling people I wanted to be an attorney,” Kearney said with a laugh. “I read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ around that time frame, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to be able to advocate and inform society however I could. Going to law school and becoming an attorney seemed like the right way to go about it.”

Thanks to her early passion for the law, Kearney knew exactly what she was looking for when she started researching potential law schools. As a participant in the LEAD program, Kearney attended KU for three years of her undergraduate program and then continued to KU Law to finish her undergraduate and graduate degrees in six years instead of seven.

“I wanted to do an accelerated program,” said Kearney. “I wanted a law school that would let me continue to do debate and mock trial experiences and continue that sort of advocacy.”

Kearney; Skylee James, 2L; and Lauren Bretz, 2L.
Photo courtesy of Jade Kearney.

Kearney was an active member in moot court and mock trial competitions throughout her law school career. This past academic year, Kearney participated as part of the mock trial team in the National Trial Advocacy Competition in Detroit where she won an Outstanding Witness award, and later went on to compete in the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition where her team advanced to the sweet 16 round in Washington D.C. She was also part of the fourth consecutive winning team at this year’s National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition in Montana. In addition to the team trophy, Kearney took home the best speaker award.

Despite her achievements in moot court and mock trial, Kearney is looking toward a future that focuses more on transactional law. After her 1L summer interning at the Kansas City architecture firm, Populous, Kearney knew where she needed to be.

“The Populous team really helped me get a feel for what in-house work could look like,” said Kearney. “I learned that it’s just as interesting and interactive as some of the courthouse procedure I’d been doing in my competitions.”

After graduation, Kearney plans to move to New York City to join the design-engineering firm, Arup, and continue her career in-house.

Kearney with her future Arup team in New York City.
Photo courtesy of Jade Kearney.

“Arup is an amazing firm,” she said. “They not only prioritize doing great work but have a primary interest in sustainability and building sustainably. Working at a company that not only cares about the quality of the work it does but also the effects of the work it does is one of my top career goals. I have found a company that does both things well.”

Looking back, Kearney is proud of the work she has done at KU Law and is confident that she is where she needs to be.

“One of my favorite moments was doing 1L oral arguments,” she recalls. “During that argument, there was a moment where I didn’t need my notes anymore. It all clicked and made sense. It felt right and since then, every moment I’ve had in Green Hall has felt right.”

Kearney is thankful for the support of Professors like Pam Keller, Adam Sokoloff and Beth Cateforis as they all helped her along the way to where she is now. Their support helped Kearney continue her path to graduation.

“I had those professors at the perfect times when I was struggling,” said Kearney. “They came at times where I needed to reassure myself that I was, in fact, still in the right place.”

For students looking for their right place, Kearney is happy to offer some advice. “There is something for everyone at KU Law,” she said. “I’ve met some of my best friends in law school and now I have an entire group of people who I consider family.”

-By Emma Herrman

Graduate Profile: Dylan Dupre, L’24

Former member of the Marine Corps continues life of service in criminal justice

Dylan Dupre, L’24

Balancing life and a law degree is no small feat, yet KU Law students take on heavy burdens in order to follow their passions and help their community or their country. Dylan Dupre is no exception. Prior to attending law school, Dupre served as a member of the Marine Corps Reserves.

“Balancing was pretty difficult at first, especially in law school,” said Dupre. “School was a lot more demanding than undergrad, and it was difficult at first. Over my 1L year, I was able to make some adjustments to my time and work through it.”

Originally from Houma, Louisiana, Dupre graduated from Nicholls State with a degree in criminal justice. It was there where he developed a passion for criminal law and plans on joining the Collin County District Attorney’s Office in Texas after his bar exam.

“When I first came to KU, I had the opportunity to really dive into the criminal law field right from the get-go,” said Dupre. “I can see myself practicing criminal law for most of my career, if not all of it.”

Like many students at KU Law, Dupre tested out different law career paths before settling on criminal law. Though he has a lot of respect for those who practice civil law, he knows he is where he needs to be.

“There’s a lot of variety in criminal law,” said Dupre. “I feel like with criminal law in particular you come home from work every day feeling like you’ve done good things.”

During his time at KU Law, Dupre used his experience in the Marine Corps and got involved in the Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society as well as the First-Generation Professionals. He was also able to work as an intern for Judge Stephanie Huff, L’06, in Dallas as well as the Dallas District Attorney’s Office. While he admits to enjoying all his work with the student organizations and his internships, it’s the memories closer to home that he treasures the most.

“I really enjoyed those late-night study grinds with my roommates, John Langmaid and Jay Shank,” said Dupre with a smile. “They weren’t fun at the time but looking back it’s one of my favorite moments.”

Growing and learning with his classmates was a common theme throughout Dupre’s time at KU Law. Despite not intending to practice in transactional law, Dupre cites Stephen Ware as a professor who made a big impact on him in the past three years.

“I always like how he challenged me and how he made everything he taught more fun,” said Dupre.

A Kansas veteran attends the Veteran Legal Aid Clinic announcement

Despite retiring from service early in his law school career, Dupre’s experience in the Marine Corps was a big deciding factor in choosing a law school.  Veteran benefits are an important issue that consistently remains in the public eye. KU Law is the first university in Kansas to establish a free legal aid clinic for veterans that will provide vital assistance to veterans facing legal obstacles.

“KU was one of the few schools that recognized my benefits as a veteran and allowed me to get in-state tuition,” said Dupre. “That was crucial to me because I wanted to try to minimize the financial burden that I would be carrying with me throughout the rest of my life.”

For any veterans considering higher education, Dupre has some advice.

“Get in touch with the veteran services center at whatever institution you’re looking at,” he said. “They are always the best resource for helping you out and can point you in the right direction.”

As Dupre begins looking toward his future, he’s committed to staying humble and happy.

“I want to be able to provide for my family,” Dupre said. “I don’t care what I do as long as I can go home and be happy at the end of the day. I want to do something that would make me proud when I look back on my life.”

This goal is already well underway with his career in the Marine Corps and looks just as promising as Dupre enters the workforce.

–By Emma Herrman

Graduate Profile: Megan Gannon, L’24

Student finds balance between art and law

Megan Gannon

When Megan Gannon began her journey at Green Hall, studying art law felt like a dream, but as she is about to graduate, she reflects on how her dream became a reality.

Gannon has always loved art. “There is something about getting lost in a work of art that reminds of you what it means to be human,” said Gannon.

In speaking about her favorite works of art, Gannon said “it is a difficult choice, I do not have one period or genre I lean towards.” Although her current favorite work on display at the University of Kansas, Spencer Museum of Art is Navigating by Lisa Grossman. “You can see this work from across the room and it draws you to it, inviting you to take a moment and let the water wash over you.” 

“Studying art helped me better understand law,” said Gannon.

Gannon graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Denver in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and minors in German and Leadership Studies.

A class in her freshman year planted the seed that would eventually lead her to KU Law.

“I was exposed to art law through a seminar class where we looked at art in the law and I found it really interesting,” said Gannon. “As I progressed through my Art History degree, I always kept coming back to art issues that ran up against legal issues.”

KU Law gave Gannon the opportunity to explore her interest of art law. With the guidance of professors and her own experiences, Gannon’s journey into art law flourished into exciting career opportunities.

As a law student, Gannon worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Michael Hoeflich, was Symposium Editor of the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, and the KU Office of the General Counsel’s Legal Extern to the Spencer Museum of Art. She also pursued a certificate in International Trade and Finance. Professors like Raj Bhala, John Head and Andrew Torrance helped Gannon make more connections between art and law in their classes.

Her classes on international trade, comparative law, and intellectual property helped her understand the domestic and international legal systems available for cultural heritage protection.

“I am passionate about the preservation and protection of cultural heritage,” said Gannon.

The 2024 Symposium Speakers, Dean Stephen Mazza, Gannon, and editor-in-chief Jackie Jeschke

True to her passions, Gannon planned a symposium entirely around art law. A Museum’s Purpose; Discussions of Art and Law in 2024 examined how legal and museum professionals work to navigate the complex issues found in the field of art law. The symposium featured speakers from across the country including Craig M. Blackwell from the Smithsonian Office of the General Counsel, Col. Scott DeJesse from the U.S. Department of Defense and many other notable presenters.

“Planning the Journal Symposium was an honor,” said Gannon. “I will remember the day for the rest of my life.”

Gannon looks back at her time on the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy fondly.

“All of the most important relationships in my life stem from Journal,” she said. “It gave me a place to grow and have a community in the law school.”

Another highlight of Gannon’s time at KU law was her externship with the KU Office of the General Counsel and the Spencer Museum of Art.

“My legal externship at the Spencer was, and still is, one my favorite things about my law school experience,” said Gannon. “This opportunity has changed my life.”

Gannon is excited to continue working with the KU Office of the General Counsel in her new role as the 2024-2026 Husch Blackwell Higher Education Law Fellow. This two-year fellowship is mark of distinction and paves the way to a wide range of opportunities for individuals interested in higher education.

This position will look at how the Office of General Counsel works with all aspects of the university, and Gannon is excited to be able to build upon what she has learned in her externship.  

This isn’t the first time a KU Law graduate has received the Husch Blackwell fellowship. Prior to Gannon, Marissa Hotujac, L’20, worked in the position for the 2020-2022 term. Hotujac is now an associate at Husch Blackwell.

When asked about how she saw art law fitting into higher education she said, “I don’t see art law as being separate from higher education law. Almost every university has an onsite gallery, museum, collection or a donation that’s an art object.” 

Not only has Gannon’s time at KU Law been a unique growing experience, but her time at the university itself has been special as well. Gannon has been excited to share the campus with her youngest brother, Tommy, who is currently majoring in accounting and expected to graduate in May 2025.

“I never thought I’d get to see my little brother on campus,” said Gannon with a smile. “We’re four years apart in age, so we never would have overlapped in school. Getting to do that at KU makes me love being a Jayhawk because it’s a really special shared experience that I get to have with him.”

As Gannon prepares to graduate, she offers these words of advice for those interested in pursuing a law degree.

“If you’re happy with what you’re doing, then your definition of success can be very different from the classmate sitting next to you and that’s okay. There is success for everyone in law school.”

And for students looking specifically at KU Law?

“It’s a wonderful place to be curious about the law.”

–By Emma Herrman

My Thoughts on the Walk

Thoughts on a 46-year-old KU Law Tradition

Cameron Savard, 3L

Overcast skies and wind gusts didn’t deter Dean Mazza’s lead of some 20+ law students to “Old” Green Hall. It’s a tradition held each spring for the last 46 years and counting. The walk itself didn’t last too long—though you’re going uphill, it goes by quickly with classmates you’ve known since day one of orientation. I waited until my third year to participate in this time-honored tradition here at KU. I felt it would be a fantastic way to reflect on my journey through school with colleagues I’ve made over the last three years while we, as students and faculty, reflected on KU Law’s history where its deepest roots took hold—especially under Dean Green.

Photo from 2023’s Walk to Old Green

We made it onto the steps, sat in front of those Romanesque columns, and listened intently to Dean Mazza’s stories about our 146-year history. I won’t spoil it for those who want to take the walk, but some of these stories involve the building itself and explain why “Old” Green Hall became a special place for its students. As I listened to others, I noticed how KU Law underwent some palpable changes, most notably leaving “Old” Green Hall for the New and yet much about this school remains the same. Dean Mazza noted some aspects of this school that remain essentially untouched. One of these is that KU Law has been open to all people of all backgrounds since 1878, by Dean Green’s design—where within its first two decades, KU Law had women and African American graduates. Another that spoke to me most personally is that Dean Green and other faculty members applied all the experience gained from their highly accomplished backgrounds to the one place they felt mattered most: their students. Dean Green promoted an open-door policy for all and as a 3L, I can personally attest to our outstanding professors doing the exact same to this day. This kind of mentorship here at KU is itself memorialized by Dean Green’s statue, where we see KU Law graduate Alfred C. Alford of the late 1890s with Dean Green’s outstretched arm and support. Over the last three years, I’ve known my professors to live, work and exemplify Dean Green’s legacy with their guidance and professionalism towards my peers and me. I know for sure this aspect of KU Law, amongst others, will never change.            

After being able to walk inside “Old” Green Hall, where the steps still creaked and engraved wood columns stood over us, it was time for us to make our return. Truth be told, this simple walk made me that much prouder to be a future KU Law graduate and the first in my family to attend law school anywhere. I’m incredibly fortunate to attend a school whose core principles—instilled by its first dean—are so very present, even in a different building. No matter where Green Hall is, or what its future holds, KU Law will be the institution it’s always been for those seeking to learn the law. The Walk to “Old” Green Hall only made what I’ve known about this place for the last three years that much more tangible.

Photo from 2023’s Walk to Old Green

– Cameron Savard is a 3L KU Law Student Ambassador from Katy, Texas

30 Years of VITA

KU Law celebrates 30 years of helping the community with free tax preparation

Nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes. For the last 30 years at KU Law, one more thing has been certain: the VITA clinic. Started in 1994, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) was created to connect law students with the community and help community members file their tax returns.

Led by the president of the Business and Tax Law Society, the VITA clinic was already in full swing when Dean Stephen Mazza joined KU Law as a faculty member in 1998. Initially focused on helping international students file tax returns, the process looked a little different than it does today.

“I got involved probably two or three years after I arrived because the IRS was transitioning from paper returns to electronic,” said Mazza. “That was sort of the transition period where Legal Services for Students got a grant from the IRS to help international students and the need for the VITA clinic switched.”

Kat Girod, L’23, advertising the VITA clinic in 2023.

Legal Services for Students (LSS) also offers free tax filing assistance through a VITA grant from the Internal Revenue Service. Like VITA, LSS helps U.S. resident taxpayers but also helps international students, faculty and staff at KU file their taxes for free.

“We know tax filing can feel complicated and even overwhelming for taxpayers,” said Jo Hardesty, director of LSS. “That’s why at LSS, our goal is not only to help taxpayers get their returns filed but to educate taxpayers about the tax system.”

The VITA clinic has remained one of the most visible pro bono projects KU Law offers and is one of the few pro bono projects that is not tied directly to class credit. Students who volunteer for the program receive firsthand experience working with the Lawrence community and developing valuable skills for their future careers.

“This clinic is a great opportunity for students to develop some client interviewing and counseling skills,” said Mazza. “Our students are an important resource for members in our community who get high-quality legal assistance without having to pay for it.”

This year, the VITA clinic has already helped more than 70 members of the local community, but Shannon Greene, 3L, president of the Business and Tax Law Society and leader of the 2024 VITA clinic, has hopes that the number will grow by the time tax season is over.

“Last year we filed 118 tax returns and that’s double how many we filed from my 1L year,” said Greene. “Our program just keeps growing over time.”

Since its inception, the VITA clinic has filed more than 6,500 tax returns and has enlisted the help of more than 500 student volunteers. It’s the community connections that keep law students returning to volunteer year after year. Even recent graduates still remember their experiences fondly.

Shannon Greene, 3L

“The VITA program is a great way to give back to the community,” said Tyler Hellenbrand, L’22, who ran the program in 2022. “For many, filing taxes can be an expensive and confusing process. The VITA program alleviates those difficulties by providing quality tax assistance at no cost.”

VITA has remained a community staple for 30 years and plans to continue for at least the next 30 years.

“Some of our clients have been coming back for decades,” Mazza said. “I remember who they are and when we used to report their children as dependents. Now their children are grown. It’s nice to see the same client base and know that they have enough faith in us to help them year after year.”

Hear more about the program from Shannon Greene on According to the Record by FM 101.7FM 1320AM KLWN.

–By Emma Herrman