We're excited to celebrate our October Member of the Month, Jessica Venters of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law!
What year are you in law school?
I’m a 3L at McKinney.
What prompted you to get involved with IndyBar?
I’m a member of the Hispanic Law Society (HLS) at McKinney. The past president of the HLS reached out to me to see about taking her spot on IndyBar’s Diversity Job Fair committee. It’s been a great opportunity to meet new people and help students, especially minority students. As a first generation law student, it’s been a good way to meet attorneys and figure out where you want to go after graduation.
What have you enjoyed about being involved in IndyBar?
I’ve enjoyed the opportunities that IndyBar offers. For example, IndyBar preps you for the bar application and the MPRE. It also offers good networking opportunities. And I’ve appreciated the emails from the WLD and the government section about jobs and internships. A few months ago, I emailed the WLD Member of the Month who practices immigration law and we connected for networking.
What has law school been like during this time of remote learning?
The remote work was a change of pace. When we were in person, I was at the law school all day because I commute an hour each way to get to school. Doing remote work as a struggle. It’s hard to watch a two-hour lecture on the computer. I am glad to be back in person and seeing people in person. I’m now president of the HLS and I’ve been able to meet the board and have some networking events.
What are some of your favorite classes that you’ve taken so far?
I’ve liked Sexual Harassment with Professor Drobac. It’s a good class because it’s very relatable as a woman. I also liked Contracts.
Have you done any internships that you’ve especially enjoyed?
This past summer I interned with Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. I was nervous to start because I didn’t know what I would be doing. It was a great experience and my writing skills improved from it.
What are your goals for after law school?
My focus is government work. I want to practice either criminal or immigration work.
What do you like to do for fun outside of law school?
I like to read true crime books and listen to true crime podcasts, spend time with my husband and dog and watch TV that doesn’t require thinking.
True crime is so popular now! Do you have any recommendations for the WLD?
I’d recommend the podcasts Crime Junkie and Court Junkie. They talk to you about the cases with a focus on what happened in court.
If you would like to submit content or write an article for the Women and the Law Division, please email Kara Sikorski at ksikorski@indybar.org.
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