Working in law isn’t Madeline Mann’s first career. Mann was a firefighter until a career-ending injury sent her down the path to become an arson investigator. Although they have little in common on the surface, her experiences in those jobs led her to law school.
Name – Madeline MannAnticipated graduation year: May 2025UMKC degree program: J.D.Hometown: Atlanta, GA
“Because of my injury, I was exposed to employment law and worker’s compensation,” Mann said. “Then when I was an arson investigator, I learned a lot more about criminal law. I really loved investigating but felt that my career would be limited at some point. I wanted more options in case I didn’t have the same passion in 20 years. Law school seemed like a good choice to explore more paths.”
Her path led her to UMKC and Kansas City from Atlanta, GA. Kansas City’s size made Mann feel at home, and the university’s welcomeness to nontraditional students and strong employment network sealed the deal.
“I was looking for a law school that was relatively affordable, in a city I’d enjoy living in, and could help me open as many doors as possible for my legal career,” Mann said. “UMKC checked all of those boxes. After doing some research, it was clear to me that this school is a regional powerhouse that frequently places graduates in both public interest roles and at big law firms.”
Mann has made the most of her time at the UMKC School of Law. She is currently a fellow with the Human Trafficking Institute; some of her work there has included putting together training materials to help first-responders identify victims of human trafficking. Mann worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas and the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, where she spoke in court and sharpened her trial skills. Her time in those jobs exposed her to work on civil cases, which she discovered an interest in. That interest led her to work as a summer associate for civil defense firm Armstrong Teasdale in their Kansas City office. Her time with Armstrong Teasdale led to a job offer, and she’ll be returning there after finishing law school.
“I’ve really enjoyed law school,” Mann said. “I want to be here; you get to learn interesting things and talk to smart people about those interesting things.”
We asked Mann to tell us more about her time at the UMKC School of Law.
What are the challenges of the program?
The learning curve for soft skills, like time-management and organization, can be steep. Law school can be challenging for students who have yet to develop those skills because they’re trying to develop good habits while also trying to learn the law. That’s not something unique to UMKC School of Law. I imagine it’s the most challenging part of being at any law school.
What are the benefits of the program?
UMKC School of Law offers great resources to both non-traditional students and those coming directly from finishing their undergraduate education. The career services office helps students for whom the law is a second (or third) career leverage past experiences to obtain internships and jobs in the legal field. They also help traditional students properly form a resume and prepare for interviews. UMKC School of Law is also much more affordable than other law schools, which is a huge benefit.
How has your college program inspired you?
I know law school may not be the most enjoyable experience for a lot of people, but I think it’s hard not to feel inspired while learning about the law. Even before working in public safety, I always wanted to help people and be dependable and add some good to the world. Law school has definitely revealed more paths for doing just that.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I learned that I actually like to learn. I used to think of myself as someone who didn’t enjoy being in a classroom and wasn’t really meant for academic settings.
Who do you admire most at UMKC?
I have to give another shoutout to the career services office at UMKC School of Law. Even though I had a career prior coming to law school, there was much about the legal hiring process that I was unfamiliar with. Jennifer Dierks and Megan Dougherty are always willing to answer questions.
What do your scholarships mean to you?
The scholarships I have are meaningful because they are a large part of the reason why I am able to graduate from law school virtually debt-free. That is not a luxury most law students have, and it’s not something I take for granted.
To the people that donate to UMKC School of Law: your donations give students freedom. Students with higher school-related debt often look for high-paying jobs, even if those jobs don’t align with their professional interests. Students with less financial pressure have the freedom to follow their interests, even if those jobs do not offer the same high salaries.
What other extracurricular activities/student organizations are you involved in at UMKC?
I am part of AWLS, which is the student chapter of the Association of Women Lawyers, and I am also a member of the Military Veterans Law Association.
What do you hope to take from your experiences at UMKC into your professional career?
Through the externship program at UMKC School of Law, I’ve had opportunities to work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This past summer, I worked as a summer associate for Armstrong Teasdale. Throughout my 3L year, I am working as a fellow with the Human Trafficking Institute. These experiences have helped me sharpen my legal skills and form great relationships that will last far beyond graduation.
What are you most proud of during your time at UMKC?
I am proud of my fellowship with the Human Trafficking Institute and for getting a job at Armstrong Teasdale. Both organizations, though wildly different, are full of incredibly smart, kind and impressive people. I’m proud to be on those teams.
What is one word that best describes you?
Driven. The definition is “relentlessly compelled by the need to accomplish a goal; very hard-working and ambitious.” I am a goal-oriented person and have always considered myself a hard-worker.
What do you love about UMKC?
The culture is very relaxed and supportive, and the school is full of really bright, wonderful people. Law school is inherently competitive, but everybody here is helpful in a way that I wasn’t anticipating. Students are always studying together, sharing outlines and helping each other. The environment here is relaxed and welcoming; I just think it’s pretty special.
What are some of your best memories/most fun you’ve had at UMKC?
Some of my best memories are attending different professional events at the school. Those events are great opportunities to meet lawyers and learn more about different career paths. On more than one occasion, I’ve become friends with some of the attorneys who I met during those events and likely would not have otherwise met.
Who is your favorite professor?
Associate Dean Steve Leben. He brings real-world experience to the classroom, is a great teacher and is always willing to help.
How has UMKC prepared you for your career?
The professional opportunities I’ve had throughout my time at UMKC School of Law gave me varied legal experience that ultimately led to a post-graduation job offer from my top choice law firm.
If you were talking to a high schooler or someone on the fence about UMKC Law, what would you tell them?
I would first tell them to take a year or two off and get a job. It doesn’t have to be a legal job. Just get a job and work. Being independent and out in the world provides new perspective and will make getting through law school much easier.
I would tell them UMKC School of Law is the best option if they want to start their career or permanently stay in the Kansas City area because they will graduate with less debt than their peers and have tons of great job and networking opportunities.
What makes you proud to be a Roo?
Because UMKC School of Law is such a regional powerhouse, the alumni are locally represented in all areas of the law, at all levels, and maintain an affinity for UMKC School of Law graduates. I meet lawyers who graduated from UMKC School of Law decades ago, yet there is still somewhat of an instant connection when they discover I’m a UMKC student.
Original source can be found here.