Native American Law Students Association president to continue his passion for public service
For John Harris, L’25, public service and Jayhawk pride run deep. Originally from Shawnee, Kansas, his journey through law school wasn’t just about building a career; it was about answering a lifelong call to public interest.
“Both of my parents worked for government employers, so I was exposed to the idea of public service early,” he said. “Summer internships with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and Johnson County confirmed my desire to serve the public interest. Protecting Kansans against deceptive business practices sounds like some of the most fulfilling work for me.”
That passion led him to KU Law, where he found not only a strong academic foundation but a community that nurtured his goals.
Harris attended KU for his undergraduate degree, where he majored in political science and minored in sociology. While Harris has always been a big fan of KU sports and enjoys living in Lawrence, KU Law’s high bar passage rate and great value are what made staying three more years for his J.D. an easy choice.
Outside the classroom, his commitment to service deepened. As president of KU Law’s Native American Law Students Association (NALSA), he not only found an organization to connect with others but also a way to give back.
Harris is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and found the most impactful aspect of NALSA was volunteering in the community and getting the chance to connect with KU undergraduate and Haskell University students interested in pursuing law. Harris also helped plan the 2024 Diversity in Law Banquet, an annual celebration of diversity in the legal profession, which was hosted by NALSA that year.
Harris cites his favorite classes at KU Law as Trial Advocacy and the Deposition Skills Workshop. He said he chose classes that he knew would help develop practical skills needed for his career in law.
“Having these opportunities makes me confident in being prepared for the future. Learning the law is important, but you really need to know how you should act when you’re practicing,” he said.
After graduating, Harris will be working with the Office of the Kansas Attorney General Honors Program in the Public Protection Division. In this role, he’ll work on enforcing antitrust, consumer protections and open government laws.
As he prepares for the next chapter, Harris is focused not on what he knows, but how he can use his knowledge to serve others.
“I’m most excited to keep developing my skills and using them to make a difference,” he said.
-By Casey Bacot