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Colorado Law's Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree is a one-year, 28-credit, no-LSAT-required program that enables students who hold at least an undergraduate degree to obtain legal training short of a full Juris Doctor (JD). Increasingly, emerging job markets have openings that require some legal knowledge and employers are assigning a number of legal tasks traditionally performed by lawyers to non-lawyers. Colorado Law's MSL will prepare students to obtain and excel in those positions. This semester, we are thrilled to highlight some of our incredible MSL students and their journey to pursuing an MSL degree! First up, meet Jessica Brunecky (she/her).ÌýÌý

Where are you from?Ìý Ìý

JB: I'm a proud Coloradan, born and raised in the long shadows of the flatirons.Ìý

What inspired you to pursue a MSL degree?Ìý Ìý

JB: My much younger self! She wanted to change the world and I continue to tend to that flame.ÌýÌý Ìý

What are your hobbies outside of work and school?Ìý Ìý

JB: As a professional working full-time and also taking multiple law classes this term, I don't have much free time, but when I do, I enjoy getting outside for hikes and bike rides with my kiddo, and the occasional long run for some alone time. And I will always make time to travel the world to learn more about my place in it.ÌýÌý

What is your educational background and what was/is your career before deciding to pursue a MSL degree?ÌýÌýÌý

JB: I've been on a long, meandering path to get here, but the throughline is that I deeply value opportunities to examine and re-envision historical structures and practices that create and/or maintain structural inequities. After receiving a master's degree in museum studies from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, I spent 11 years in the museum field. I worked in museum administration and championed changes to the entrenched operational structures of un-paid labor and established best practices for compensating interns during my time as president of the Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums. I switched careers 5 years ago and am currently in higher ed administration here at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ as the Senior Strategic Advisor and Director of Divisional Affairs for the Division of Social Sciences. I love my work here at CU, and I see the additional knowledge I will gain through my studies towards an MSL degree as strengthening my ability to make structural and institutional change.ÌýÌý

Why did you choose Colorado law for your MSL degree?Ìý Ìý

JB: As a proud Coloradan, and a CU alum, Colorado Law was always my top choice.ÌýÌý

What are you most looking forward to this upcoming academic year?ÌýÌý

JB: It's been 15 years since my master's degree was conferred and I am very much looking forward to taking a deep dive into a new field of study!Ìý

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