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Annual Women in Law Luncheon facilitates connections, encourages women to pursue legal education

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BYU Law professor Catherine Bramble connects with prospective law students at annual Women in Law Luncheon. Bramble expressed pursuing a career in law was one of the most influential decisions of her life. (Michael Cazanave)

For BYU Law professor Catherine Bramble, three decisions have been the most influential in her life: her decisions to marry her husband, pursue a legal education and become a long-distance runner while in law school.

“The reason that I feel so passionate about legal education, especially for women, is because a law degree is power. … It is the power to change your life, to change your family's life (and) to change your community's life,” she said.

Bramble explained the reasoning behind this thought while sharing lunch with a handful of prospective and current BYU law students who attended the Women in Law Luncheon held in the Hinckley Center’s assembly hall on Jan. 16.

The annual luncheon was organized by the BYU Law Admissions team, giving prospective and current BYU law students, professors and alumni the chance to engage in organic conversation, ask questions and share experiences with one another. During the luncheon, attendees also had the privilege of listening to Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen share a few remarks.

Following her remarks, attendees continued in conversation, exchanging contacts, takeaways and information with one another.

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Attendees converse at the 2025 Women in Law Luncheon. The luncheon was organized by the BYU Law Admissions team, aiming to give prospective and current BYU law students, professors and alumni the chance to engage in network with and learn from one another. (Michael Cazanave)

Ashton Anderson, a BYU senior majoring in economics with a minor in business, was one such attendee. She said participating in the event helped ease her concerns about pursuing a career in law with her educational background and desire to become a mother in the future.

“What Catherine said when she said a law degree is power really resonated with me … and assured me that it’s possible to do both,” she said.

Similarly, BYU student Macy Puritt said attending the event solidified the idea that with the proper communication and prioritization between she and her husband, obtaining a legal education is “100 percent an option” for them.

“We can still have a family, we can … think about family goals and adjust along the way,” she said.

When asked for advice for anyone considering a career in law, first-year law student Alexandra Brown said “do it.”

She said her journey in law began when one of her professors introduced her to the opportunity of pursuing a JD MPA — a four-year, dual degree program combining the disciplines of a legal education and a master’s in public administration. Intrigued, Brown underwent a process of research and inquiry, finally deciding to give the dual degree a try, even if she didn’t know all that it entailed.

“There’s people around you cheering you on and rooting for you … (so) do it and don’t let fear hold you back from doing something potentially great,” she said.

Brown added that as a first-generation college student, there’s no one in her direct family who has been able to give her specific direction throughout her career. However, she advised those in similar situations to know it’s OK to feel this way and follow the inspiration they receive.

Bramble encouraged those interested in a legal education to use the resources available to them through the BYU Pre-Professional Advisement Center and the BYU Law Admissions office.

“We need more women in the law who can seek to do good things in this world. We need women in the law who have the skills to go out and change the world for good. … (So), be willing to ask the the hard question, ‘What will be my life’s work?’ Be faithful about the answers as opposed to fearful and then be willing to put in the effort,” Bramble said.