Opening Statement
Since 1872, the University of Missouri School of Law has produced not only lawyers, but leaders — from judges to governors and senators.
Of countless graduates, Hope Adamson is among the most recent, extending a legacy not only at the institutional level but a personal level as well.
With strong roots in legacy, community and hands-on learning, she makes a compelling case for why Mizzou Law stands apart. Let the record show this is a case worth hearing.
Exhibit A: Legacy and Tradition
The inspiration to attend law school came largely through Adamson’s father, Chuck, an attorney and Mizzou Law graduate.
“He had a really good experience in the law school, and he shared that with me,” Adamson said. “All during my undergrad years, he was constantly telling me to go to law school.”
She initially planned to pursue a career in politics but changed course after shadowing her dad during one of his trials. The courtroom sparked something in her, and Mizzou Law was the natural choice.
Since her father attended law school after a career as a journalist and graduated in 2009, his perspective and recommendations carried extra weight.
“I have two of the same professors he did,” Adamson said. “We’ve shared these funny stories of what it’s like to be in their classes, and we’ve kind of bonded over that.”
Exhibit B: Community
Forget Hollywood versions of law school — Mizzou Law fosters collaboration, not cutthroat competition.
“We would share outlines,” Adamson said. “We’re all a community. If you ask for help, most everyone would say yes.”
This sense of community extends to faculty who not only hold office hours but some of whom have also hosted dinners for students.
“They just really go out of their way to get to know the students,” Adamson said.
That level of familiarity really pays off when it comes time to apply for internships, clerkships and jobs.
“I’ve gotten multiple letters of recommendation from my professors,” Adamson said. “I would say Mizzou is probably the best Missouri law school in terms of getting connected and job searching. For one internship, they placed with me with Judge Powell of the Supreme Court of Missouri. It was absolutely one of my best law school experiences.”
Exhibit C: Hands-on learning
Ever since she shadowed her father’s trial, Adamson knew she wanted to be a litigator.
“Mizzou’s a trial school,” Adamson’s dad would tell her.
He wasn’t wrong. Mizzou Law’s legal clinics foster the Missouri Method — letting students learn by doing. Students work with actual clients and cases in court, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Mizzou Law offers four practice-focused experiences: Child and Family Justice Clinic, Criminal Practice Clinic, Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic and Veterans Clinic.
“The Child and Family Justice Clinic allowed me to work with real clients. I actually did a hearing on an order of protection in Audrain County. The clinic gave me courtroom experience arguing cases in front of the judge,” said Adamson, who also worked in a prosecutor’s office during law school.
Closing Argument
Adamson is headed to New York after graduation to begin her career as a prosecutor in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, where she’ll carry Mizzou Law with her. From her membership in the Federalist Society to the career fair that led to her first internship, Mizzou gave her the opportunities and tools needed to reach her goals.
The evidence is clear: Mizzou Law delivered.
