Lindsay Wolter: Law and Marine Affairs
When Lindsay Wolter completes her legal education at the University of Miami School of Law, she will have the distinct honor of having earned two diplomas in three years. Lindsay is in her second year of the joint degree program offered by the School of Law and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS). In addition to a JD, Lindsay is pursuing a Master of Arts in Marine Affairs and Policy.
Currently in her second year, Lindsay has completed the required courses of the first year law school curriculum and is now able to select environmentally based, upper division courses from both schools. Her schedule from the fall semester offers a good overview of the curriculum and the rigors of the dual degree program. At the law school, Lindsay took four classes: Ethics, International Law, Marine Insurance, and Marine Pollution. Two additional classes, Ocean Policy & Development and Economics of Natural Resources, taken at the Rosenstiel School, rounded out her schedule. Although it is a heavier courseload, Lindsay has discovered that the two programs provide a pleasant change of pace from one another. "Law school is a more stressful environment, especially around exams. Over at the Rosenstiel School its more laid back. My friends at the law school think I spend my RSMAS days swimming with dolphins! That's not exactly true, but its close. My experience with the dual degree program has been wonderful. I find that each school serves as a refreshing break from the other. Each has its own atmosphere; the students and professors really make the experience."
Another way Lindsay copes with the ordeals of law school is by swimming. "When we entered the program, current students and faculty told us to find time to continue a hobby that we had before entering law school. A lot of students use their free time to watch television. I swim. They advised us to make time once a week for that hobby." However, swimming just once a week would not be enough for the former Captain and MVP of the Yale swim team. Lindsay swims with a club on campus and is able to consistently dedicate two hours a day to this routine.
Because Lindsay plans on spending the next two summers taking classes in Miami, she wanted to make the most of her one free summer. This past summer she participated in UM Law's Summer Program in London. Students in the program are required to take two courses during the seven-week period. Lindsay selected Evidence, which was taught by Professor Graham, a UM Law professor, and International Human Rights, taught by James Michael, a distinguished law professor at University College London. Lindsay found that the courses were just as demanding as they would have been if she took them at UM. During an eleven-day break from classes Lindsay took advantage of an optional tour offered to students in the program. Some of the places the tour visited were Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Munich, Venice, Florence, and Rome.
Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Lindsay majored in history as an undergraduate. "During my junior year at Yale I thought I'd better make plans for my future. My father is a lawyer and always secretly (or not so secretly) wanted me to go to law school. Every time he brought it up I'd say, 'Dad, I promise you that the one thing I will not do is become a lawyer.' Then I put my foot in my mouth. I got my hands on a law school guide and read about special programs available at various schools. Miami's unique JD/MA in Marine Affairs grabbed my attention." Lindsay graduated from Yale in May of 2000. The summer before starting law school, Lindsay returned to Illinois where she interned in the legal division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The opportunity allowed Lindsay to receive a hands-on introduction to environmental law and more importantly, the experience verified that environmental law was the right career choice for her.
"In the future, I plan to work in an area of environmental law. I'd like to focus my attention to the oceans as much as possible. I suppose this means I am destined for a government job. Will I end up in Florida? That's a good question. The jury is still out on that one (pardon the pun). For now, I am thankful that I know what kind of law I'd like to practice. I may not be the wealthiest lawyer in town, but I may be the happiest."
