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Q&A with Megan Griffin, Third-Year Law Student
Megan was born and raised in Orange County and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Biology. At UC Irvine Law, she is an advanced student in the Defending Democracy Clinic (formerly the Civil Rights Litigation Clinic), recently completed the term as Managing Editor of the UC Irvine Law Review, and serves as an admissions ambassador. Following graduation, Megan will join Newmeyer & Dillion. Outside of law school, Megan enjoys watching football, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her dog.
Q: What motivated you to pursue a law degree and why did you choose UC Irvine Law?
I worked as an EMT during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that profoundly shaped my career path. At the time, I was preparing to apply to medical school, but while working on the front lines, I began to recognize the structural disparities that affect access to healthcare. I realized that I wanted to address those inequities from a legal and policy perspective rather than a medical one. Of course, the area of law I want to practice in has changed many times, but I remain passionate about helping people access healthcare more equitably.
UC Irvine Law stood out to me because it offered the opportunity to pursue that goal while remaining connected to my community. As a lifelong Orange County resident, it was important for me to attend a law school close to home and embedded within a respected public institution. UC Irvine Law’s small class sizes, practical curriculum, and strong clinical and pro bono opportunities made it the ideal place to develop both the doctrinal knowledge and real-world skills necessary for practice. Plus, being near my childhood dog doesn’t hurt!
Q: What has been your proudest accomplishment at UC Irvine Law?
I am most proud of being elected Managing Editor of Volume 16 of the UC Irvine Law Review. I pursued the role because I wanted the opportunity to lead my peers while developing both professional and personal skills. Serving as Managing Editor allowed me to collaborate with an exceptional editorial team, ensure the quality and integrity of each publication, and contribute meaningfully to the journal’s mission.
The experience strengthened my leadership, organization, and collaboration skills, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the role legal scholarship plays in shaping legal discourse. I hope readers enjoy the scholarship published in this volume as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life!
Q: What has been your favorite class and/or clinic experience at UC Irvine Law?
My favorite class was Evidence with Judge O’Neill. In the first class, Judge O’Neill drew me in with his storytelling and his ability to apply the Federal and California rules to concepts my peers and I could easily understand. He somehow made hearsay and character evidence fun (something I never thought I would say!), and his knowledge from years on the bench was invaluable. If only he taught more classes!
Q: What advice would you give to prospective students who are thinking about going to law school?
If you have the opportunity to attend law school and have even a spark of interest in the field, I encourage you to pursue it! You truly do not know what you do not know, and law school exposes you to ideas, perspectives, and areas of law you may never have encountered otherwise.
You also do not need a background in law to succeed or find your path — that certainly was the case for me. One of the most rewarding aspects of law school is the ability to tailor your studies toward areas that genuinely interest and excite you. Through classes, clinics, and experiential opportunities, you can shape your legal education around the issues you care about most.
Take advantage of that flexibility, stay curious, and be open to discovering new passions along the way.
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