Michelle Namer (J.D. ’17) was teaching high school science and searching for her calling when her older brother Michael Namer (J.D. ’17) was completing the Georgia State Law application process.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about how I wanted to spend my days and the skills I wanted to strengthen. Law felt like a great field to go into, so I called my brother and asked him how he felt about his little sister following him to law school,” Michelle said.
2017 Commencement
And Hooding Ceremony
- 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 12: Georgia State University Sports Arena, 125 Decatur St., Atlanta GA 30303
Coming from a close family that refers to itself as “Team Namer,” Michael supported the idea. He decided to attend Georgia State Law after sitting in on Professor of Law Roy M. Sobelson’s Civil Procedure class.
“I got a ‘work hard, play hard’ feel from Georgia State Law and felt a sense of community that I didn’t from the other schools I visited,” Michael said.
Michelle got the same feeling while attending the reception for admitted students in spring 2014 with Michael and his wife.
“The students at the event were as Michael had described – hardworking, balanced professionals who welcomed the admitted students warmly. Right away, having family with me in that transition made Georgia State Law feel like a part of my family,” Michelle said.
The Namers are both competitive, but not with each other. They knew that attending law school together provided them with built-in support that would enrich their experience. They had all but one class together their first year and took multiple courses together the following semesters – teaming up whenever possible.
“Find someone to lean on at school. Law school is hard, and it can break you down if you don’t have a support system. Fortunately, the Georgia State Law community is built for that kind of support.”
Michelle Namer (J.D. '17)
“Michael and I work really well together,” Michelle said. “One professor almost didn’t let us partner on an assignment our second year, and we were both like, ‘Noooooo, we’re a team! Don’t split this up.’ Thankfully he didn’t.”
The Namers have considered the idea of opening a law firm together in the future, but in the short term, they plan to continue supporting each other as they begin practicing law. Michelle is interested in intellectual property, biotechnology and finding ways to support local food systems. She is working on an enterprise, The Law Farm, to support small farmers and producers in the Atlanta area.
Michael has accepted an associate position at The Franco Law Firm PC and is excited to work in criminal defense at the state and federal level.
Looking back on their experience at Georgia State Law, the siblings consider it everything they wanted and more. The fact they went through law school together, made it even better.
“Everyone at Georgia State Law has always been so supportive and accommodating. I’ve developed critical professional skills in a way that feels authentic to me. I have felt challenged to push myself to be the best student I can be, and I look forward to becoming the best attorney I can be,” Michelle said. “And, I am forever grateful to have had one of my big brothers there to keep me centered. If I had done this alone, I would have definitely taken it, and myself, way too seriously.”
The Namers will attend the upcoming reception for admitted students together, welcoming the incoming first-year students to their extended law school family.
“We love our Georgia State Law family, and we look forward to sharing that love with the newest members of the law school community,” Michael said.