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How the ABA’s Steiger Fellowship Shaped My Legal Career in Public Service

Nicholas C Smith

Summary

  • The ABA Antitrust Section’s Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project places law students in attorneys general offices across the country to work on consumer protection issues.
  • The fellowship allowed me to align my career goals with my passion for public service: helping my community, solving problems facing my state, and ensuring a fair marketplace for all consumers. The fellowship placed me with the Office of the Attorney General of Kansas.
  • Fellowships and programs offered by the American Bar Association, like the Steiger Fellowship, can be transformative and provide the guidance, skills, and network needed to build a rewarding legal career.
How the ABA’s Steiger Fellowship Shaped My Legal Career in Public Service
EPNAC.com/Isaac Latimer [email protected]

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The American Bar Association (ABA) has been instrumental in helping me achieve my career goals in public service. Prior to law school, I was deeply committed to public service and aimed to continue this path in my legal career. However, the vast array of public service opportunities in the legal field initially left my career objectives unfocused.

The Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project

My journey took a decisive turn when I learned about the ABA Antitrust Section’s Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project, which places law students in attorneys general offices across the country to work on consumer protection issues. Little did I know, this opportunity was the most determinative and impactful career decision I made. Through the ABA’s Steiger Fellowship, I discovered a fulfilling career in consumer protection, an area I had not previously considered but quickly grew passionate about.

Aligning My Career with a Passion for Public Service

The fellowship allowed me to align my career goals with my passion for public service: helping my community, solving problems facing my state, and ensuring a fair marketplace for all consumers. The fellowship placed me with the Office of the Attorney General of Kansas. The mentors I worked with provided invaluable guidance and support, shaping my professional development and imparting concrete legal skills.

Supportive Group of Peers

For instance, I found a supportive team of experienced legal professionals who encouraged me to dive deep into a years-long, complex, high-profile consumer investigation. Although the second-year, first-generation law student in me was anxious about making mistakes, my team trusted and believed in my ability to succeed. The experience honed my investigative skills and legal research abilities, taught me to trust myself, and reinforced my commitment to protecting vulnerable consumers.

Unique Network Across the Country

As an alum of the fellowship, I have access to a unique network of like-minded individuals across the country dedicated to solving marketplace problems and helping consumers. This network, which includes numerous private-sector and public-sector legal minds, is an ongoing source of support, inspiration, and career growth.

Foundation for a Successful Legal Career

Today, I continue to serve the people of Kansas as an assistant attorney general, a role made possible by the ABA and the Steiger Fellowship. The ABA’s support for this fellowship not only introduced me to the field of consumer protection but also provided the foundation for my legal career. For this, I am forever grateful.

Transformative Career Opportunities

I encourage every aspiring young lawyer passionate about public service to explore the opportunities offered by the ABA, particularly the Steiger Fellowship. Fellowships and programs offered by the ABA, like the Steiger Fellowship, can be transformative and provide the guidance, skills, and network needed to build a rewarding legal career. 

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