As someone who enjoys reading, studying and analyzing, law school was always on the radar for Alexa Martin (J.D. ’21). After graduating from Georgia Tech, Martin worked in a research role for Georgia Cares, a nonprofit that provides case management services to youth victims of sex trafficking.
Because she enjoyed her career, she put the idea of law school on the back burner. It wasn’t until her maternity leave that she was reinspired. When it came to deciding where to attend law school, Martin knew the College of Law’s downtown location and large alumni network made it the right choice for her. Now, Martin is weeks away from graduating and is set to practice general insurance defense litigation and family law at Bovis Kyle Burch & Medlin.
What inspired you to attend law school?
While I was on maternity leave, I read an article by Ruth Bader Ginsburg that was published in the New York Times. She talked about attending law school as the parent of a small child back in the day. She said that being a student parent made her both a better parent and a better student because it taught her to focus exclusively on what was in front of her at the moment.
I had assumed that at this point in my life, I was foreclosed from going to law school because I was going to have a young child and how would I manage that? But I wound up a few days later ordering an LSAT prep book and I studied for the LSAT on maternity leave.
How do you balance being a mom and going to law school?
It is definitely a challenge. I'm thankful that I have a lot of support through my husband, my parents, my in-laws, and other family members to help. But I think what Ruth Bader Ginsburg said really does resonate with me and my experience. In undergrad, I don't think I made the most of all the opportunities available to me, but in law school, I feel like I've approached it really differently. I really invest all the time I have during my ‘work hours’ in studying or going to interesting lunch panels or doing co-curricular’s, and then when I am home, I cherish that time with my family.
What are some of the experiences during law school that have stuck out to you?
I interned at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for an administrative law judge and I loved it. I think that's one of the things that really pushed me in the litigation direction. I loved seeing the arguments that both sides made. I really liked employment law specifically, because there's a very human element to it. I realized actually last summer while I was doing family law at Bovis Kyle, that it has the same kind of dynamics, so I am looking forward to having that be one of my practice areas.
Are you happy with your decision to attend GSU Law?
I have zero regrets about attending Georgia State Law. One thing I knew going into it, but I don't think I appreciated as much until I started was just the wide network of alum in the state. I know that I'll be staying in the Atlanta metro area long term and I've met so many alum at the law firm I'll be working at post-graduation and at other law firms during interviewing or networking events and it's just really nice to have that common thread.
Interview by Mara Thompson