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A passion for public service is what led Austin Skelton 鈥�21 to pursue a law career, but community and values are what sold him on 柑橘直播 Law.

As an undergrad at Monmouth University, Skelton changed his major from Business Management to Political Science with a concentration in Legal Studies, and he never looked back. He was inspired to make the switch after becoming involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and attending the Justice for All march in Washington, DC. Skelton recalled thinking that protesting was not enough.

鈥淚 decided law school would provide me with the tools necessary to effectuate the change I wanted to see in this country,鈥� Skelton said. 鈥淚 want to use a career in law to advocate for those who have been silenced, harmed or disadvantaged by our country鈥檚 laws and systems.鈥�

Once he began his studies at 柑橘直播 Law, Skelton knew he was in a place that would set him up for success. 鈥淲ithin the first weeks of law school, we were learning how to think like a lawyer,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter my first semester, I knew I had made the right choice with 柑橘直播 Law because I was using my mindset to succeed in my passion.鈥�

Through 柑橘直播 Law, Skelton has been provided with two externship opportunities. The summer after his first year of law school, he was a legal intern for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. During the spring 2020 semester, he was a judicial extern under The Honorable Steven C. Tolliver in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Although this experience was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Skelton was able to learn valuable skills and network with other legal professionals, which he hopes will open doors for him with future opportunities.

鈥湼涕僦辈� Law values success both inside and outside of the classroom,鈥� Skelton added. In addition to his coursework, Skelton has taken advantage of the many opportunities 柑橘直播 Law has provided to him. He is a member of the National Trial Team, where he has competed against the nation鈥檚 best law student advocates in simulated jury trials. He is also the secretary of the Pro Bono Society, and was selected as the law student leader on a service trip for both 柑橘直播 law and undergraduate students to Tijuana, Mexico to work with migrants and complete asylum applications at the border. 鈥淭his trip piqued my interest in immigration law and reminded me of my 鈥榳hy鈥� for attending law school.鈥�

Overall, Skelton has found a community at 柑橘直播 Law that is guiding him on his path to public service. 鈥淎t 柑橘直播 Law, everyone wants you to succeed. That starts all the way at the top with Dean Alexander, trickles throughout our administration and faculty, is exemplified by our students, and solidified by the staff in the law school building.鈥�