Larry Hayman
By Alicia Hopkins ’18
This week’s Spotlight is on Larry Hayman, Pre-Law Advisor and Specialist for the Center for Law, Justice & Culture. He’s also an Ohio University alum.
How long have you been with Ohio University? What brought you here?
I joined the Center for Law, Justice & Culture last year after eight years of practicing law. I was drawn to the mission of the center, the enthusiasm of the center faculty and students, and was excited to be a part of this new and expanding interdisciplinary endeavor. At the same time, I thought I could share the legal knowledge and experiences that I had acquired over the years to make a positive contribution to the OHIO community.
Your job title is Pre-Law Advisor and Specialist in the Center for Law, Justice & Culture. Could you explain what you do?
I provide professional advising to OHIO students who are interested in law and legal careers, from what courses to take, information about our certificate program, and assistance in applying to law school. I also coordinate center programming, including Law Fair, Pre-Law Day, LSATurdays, law school visits, and attorney visits to campus. Additionally, I serve as part of the center’s administrative team, that includes myself and the center director, as well as on the Executive and Curriculum committees. I work with organizations external to the university, including our great alumni, to represent the center and OHIO students in a number of capacities, including developing high-impact legal internship placements. Furthermore, I teach the center’s Pre-Law Learning Community and serve as the staff adviser to Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity, to the board of the center for Student Legal Services, and as coach to the Ohio University Mock Trial Team.
What is your favorite part of working at Ohio University?
Without question, the people. I love working with OHIO students who are interested in studying law and being part of them achieving their goals. I also love working with such a talented group of faculty who are affiliated with the center, including Center Director Haley Duschinski, as well as the dedicated and supportive Dean’s Office in the College of Arts & Sciences.
How did you become interested in studying law?
I became interested in studying law at an early age because I saw lawyers as agents of social change. That interest became a passion during my time at Ohio University through challenging coursework, involvement in student organizations, and great mentoring by Dr. John Gilliom and Dr. Frank Henderson in the Political Science Department.
Any advice for students considering studying law?
Students interested in studying law should work hard to maintain high grades, take challenging courses like those in our certificate program, develop relationships with faculty, get involved in extracurricular activities, pursue leadership positions, work hard on developing their writing and critical thinking skills, and pursue experiential learning opportunities, such as an internship or tryout for mock trial. Also, come see me! I have walk-in advising hours every Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. in the Center for Law, Justice & Culture, which is located on the ground floor of Bentley Hall.
It seems that many students think that talking with an adviser is only something to be done when they need help with scheduling. As an adviser, what other topics or issues might you address with a student?
I actually spend little time with students on scheduling matters. My conferences with students are often centered around the ways in which they can make their law school applications as strong as possible, tips for preparing for the LSAT, writing their personal statements and resumes, financial aid, selecting law schools, what law school is like, legal practice, and experiential learning experiences, like internships.
There’s quite a bit of excitement coming up for the law center this year, between the new addition of the Mock Trial Team, this week’s Law Fair, and the Pre-Law Days in November. Could you explain more about these events and how they will benefit pre-law students? Anything else you’d like to add concerning the Law department, the Center for Law, Justice & Culture, or just in general?
These are all great ways for students to gain valuable information and hone their professional networking skills.
Law Fair, which will take place in Baker Ballroom B on Oct. 14, from 5-8 p.m., offers students an excellent opportunity to meet and network with representatives from over 50 law schools! Students will learn more about individual law schools and establish personal connections with the very people who will be reviewing their applications.
Pre-Law Days kick off this year on Nov. 5, 2015, at 5 p.m. in Baker Theater with a keynote address from OHIO alumni Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill. The event continues on Nov. 6, 2015, when more than a dozen alumni will return to share their knowledge with current OHIO students regarding the legal profession. It is also a great networking opportunity!
Finally, we are all very excited about the forming of the Ohio University Mock Trial Team! The Ohio University Mock Trial Team is a student organization designed to help those interested in law and the legal system pursue their education outside of the classroom with hands on experience. Through competition, practice, meetings, and lectures, members will grow to better prepare them for their professional careers.
Lastly, we recently celebrated Homecoming 2015 here at Ohio University. As a Bobcat alumnus, do you have any favorite memories of your time on campus or any words of wisdom you would like to share?
Get involved with as much as you can. Meet new people. Find your passion. Take advantage of all OHIO has to offer. Enjoy every minute. Your time here goes by too quickly.
To suggest a College of Arts & Sciences student, staff member, or faculty member for a future Spotlight, contact eNews editor Alicia Hopkins at ah828712@ohio.edu.
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