Georgia State Law alumna Lisa “Lee” Schreter describes going to law school as her ultimate “aha” moment. She was working in human resources where she conferred with attorneys on various legal matters. Often, their advice aligned with her instincts, but they were making a lot more money. With that recognition, she decided to go to law school, and her employer allowed her to work part-time while she went to school full-time.
“The cost of a legal education at GSU was a bargain proposition,” Schreter said. “When we looked at what it would cost for me to go to school in Washington, D.C., or even at UGA or Emory, the contrast was stark.”
Schreter immediately felt at home at the College of Law because of the caring professors and diverse student body. The latter was especially important to her because she started law school in her 30s and she did not want to be the oldest person in her classes. She also found that her work experience allowed her to get the most out of her classes, especially Civil Procedure with former dean and professor emeritus E.R. Lanier.
“I am indebted to him because my practice as a class action lawyer is deeply tied up in civil procedure,” she said. “One of the things I have always loved about the faculty at GSU is that while they are well-grounded in the theoretical application of the law, they’re also practical. We come equipped to the workplace with an education that is informed by the actual practice of law.”
When Schreter started her second career as a lawyer, she worked as a litigator at Jackson Lewis. She found her niche in complex litigation, particularly in the high-stakes area of class action lawsuits. She describes it as the “sport of kings,” because it sometimes involves thousands of employees and complex issues such as pay equity and discrimination, so a win is particularly gratifying.
After almost 15 years at Jackson Lewis, she joined Littler Mendelson P.C. in 2005 where she is co-chair of the Wage and Hour Practice Group. On a typical day, she travels to meet with clients, conduct witness interviews and she appears in courts across the country. For Schreter, every day in court is full of surprises and she says that having a team of competent colleagues is essential.
In addition to representing her employer clients, Schreter has a passion for giving back. At the time she entered the field, openly gay lawyers were unusual and the profession was not as welcoming to out members of the LGBTQ+ community as it is today. She and her wife have been together for 38 years, and throughout her career, she has partnered with organizations such as Out Leadership to open up the field to more LGBTQ+ attorneys.
Another way she gives back is by serving on the College of Law Board of Visitors. She jumped at the opportunity to serve on the Board of Visitors and to be an example of what is possible for others.
“I’m a very proud alumnus,” Schreter said. “I’m very grateful to Georgia State and I wouldn’t do it differently if ever given the opportunity. My wife and I often say that the money we spent to get my legal education is the single best investment we ever made and that’s really true.”