Encampment grad learns to love law

Brian Lynch graduated from Encampment High School in 2008 and is now in his first year of law school at Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Maurer) in Bloomington.

Lynch graduated from the University of Wyoming in May with a major in criminal justice with concentration in pre-law and a minor in philosophy.

To be accepted into law school, Lynch was required to take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), have two or more recommendations and provide a personal statement as to why he wanted to attend law school.

Lynch was accepted and received a “pretty healthy” scholarship to Maurer.

Lynch chose Indiana University because his parents lived in the midwest before moving to Encampment. Lynch said the basketball team didn’t hurt either - the college is home to the Hoosiers.

Lynch was also attracted by the strong alumni presence, especially in Washington D.C. “It’s a prestigious school.”

The idea of going to law school originated while attending U.W., although his friends in high school told him he should become a lawyer because he was so argumentative.

Lynch had plans of majoring in criminal justice and becoming a federal agent. His freshman year he signed up for criminal law and found out he loved learning about law. His class in business law confirmed his new found passion.

“Law school encompasses my individual talents of reading, writing and public speaking,” Lynch said.

While at UW, Lynch discovered that not a lot of people were hiring criminal justice majors right out of college.

Lynch said going to school in Encampment prepared him very well for college.

For instance, after taking Nannette Marchetti’s math classes, Lynch was able to test out of three or four of the math classes at UW.

“That saved a lot of time and quite a bit of money,” Lynch said.

Lynch was only required to take two math classes because he had the individual attention at Encampment School.

“Personally, I feel Encampment School has some of the best teachers in the district,” Lynch said.

After writing his first paper at Maurer, Lynch’s professor remarked “I can tell you went to a small school because your writing is fantastic.”

Lynch said that at small schools there are plenty of opportunities for students. “If I had gone to a large school, I wouldn’t have taken art. But when you have a premier art teacher you take the class.” Lynch credited his art teacher, Pam Kraft, for building confidence in her students and making him a more well-rounded individual.

“Small class size and the quality of teachers made me become who I am today and I will always be grateful for that,” Lynch said.

Lynch said he would like to return to the West to practice law, but he also may remain in Indiana. He still has two-and-a-half years to decide.

Lynch said he did very well his first semester and even surprised himself.