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Colorado Law students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, bringing their unique perspectives to our legal community. This Veterans Day, we are proud to highlight just a few of our incredible students who have served in the military.

Kelly O’Neill ’27, Tracey Elder ’27, and William Ostlund ’27 are just three of our students who have spent time in service. Learn more about their journey from the military to law school in the Q&A below.��

What inspired you to pursue a law degree?

KO: I was originally an Air Traffic Control officer in the Marines. After I had completed some time in that billet, I was temporarily assigned to be my squadron’s legal officer. That was the first time in my life I enjoyed my job and enjoyed reading. Being presented a legal problem, either by a Marine or by my Commanding Officer, and then having to figure out how to adjudicate that problem gave me a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in awhile. In one instance, a Marine’s appeal process had not been honored and he was about to get kicked out of the service. I was able to advocate for him and his situation which actually led to him staying in the service. When he asked me to be his promoting officer, that’s what really solidified my decision to go to law school.��

Kelly O'Neill

TE:��For me, pursuing a law degree is a career pivot. I have served in the Army Reserve for over 20 years and have had various jobs including FEMA liaison, intelligence officer, paralegal, and a “travel agent” for munitions. Prior to law school, I was a stay-at-home mom for ten years (while also serving as a Reservist and volunteer ski patroller at Eldora). I began pursuing a law degree as a career pivot. I see law as a versatile field that will provide new opportunities and help me transition into a different career path with more growth potential than what's available with my current credentials.��

WO:�� I served in the Army for a little over 5 years as an Engineer Officer. Most of that time was spent in various roles across 299 Brigade Engineer Battalion down at Fort Carson, Colorado, with some of the most rewarding experiences coming from my time as a Route Clearance Platoon Leader and Ground Movement Team Leader in Iraq. The Army introduced me to phenomenal people who helped mold me into who I am today, and I remain grateful for the opportunity I had to serve this country.��

When I graduated from West Point, I never thought I would be back in school – let alone back in school pursuing a law degree. I planned to stay in the Army for a career. However, when I was nearing the end of my Lieutenant years, I understood that I was at a critical career juncture. My favorite part of the military was working with soldiers, and after an officer’s Lieutenant years, routine opportunities to work with and lead soldiers start to fade. With that in mind, I started looking for career paths where I could continue serving others in some capacity while continuing to challenge myself.

During that time, I deployed to Iraq. While deployed, I regularly interacted with not only American JAGs but also with legal experts from across the international team to solve complex problems. Impressed with their critical thinking skills and their insane work ethic, I sought their mentorship on how to become an attorney. Soon after, I ordered a few LSAT study books to start studying in Iraq, and the rest is history.

How has serving in the military impacted your preparedness and experience as a law student?

KO: Nothing here ever feels as bad as some of my worst days in the Marines, and that makes me appreciate being a law student. I felt more than prepared for cold calls and the work load because of how the Marines trained. When school does get really busy and stressful, I trust that all my past effort and learning thus far will get me through it—that’s what always helped me succeed in the military. And knowing the situation could always be way more miserable helps put law school into perspective at the end of the day.��

TE: Serving in the military exposed me to a variety of personal, professional, physical, and mental challenges. While law school is the most difficult academic challenge I have faced, I reassure myself that I have done difficult things before and therefore, I can do the difficult things that law school puts before me.��

Tracey Elder

WO:��The military thoroughly prepared me for law school in several ways, but a few key experiences stand out. First, the military prioritizes establishing a routine and doing “routine things routinely.” As soon as I arrived at Colorado Law, I organized my classes and my reading windows to fit a typical work week. I also deliberately blocked off time to go to the gym and time to cater to administrative tasks. All of that allowed and continues to allow me to maximize my time off on the weekends. On that note though, two other critical skills from the military are flexibility and resilience. Sometimes, those time blocks are infringed upon by competing priorities, but in remaining flexible, it is easy to shift blocks of time around to other available free spaces.����������

Another important ideal that carried me through the Army was the idea that nothing is possible without the people around you. During my time in service, soldiers, NCOs, peers, supervisors, and close friends pushed me and pulled me every step of the way. Similarly, some of the highlights of my time here have been conversations with friends, professors, and mentors who have pushed and pulled me through the first three semesters of this experience. Law school can be an isolating experience, but having the right people in your corner can and will pay dividends.

Lastly, I benefitted from an excellent mentor who emphasized that we “get to” have opportunities in life. Those opportunities range from awesome and exciting opportunities like going skiing with friends at a slope that is within driving distance of the law school to less awesome and exciting opportunities like reading case law. Regardless of the excitement in each opportunity, we all get to be in law school here in Boulder. That little mantra serves as a healthy reminder of how much there is to be thankful for at any given time during these law school years.

What are your plans/goals for after graduating from Colorado Law?

KO: I plan to work in IP/patent law. My goal is to be the best I can be at my job, and to help contribute to a good life with my soon-to-be husband and dog.

TE: I entered law school wanting to pursue work in the federal government. Considering the federal government is currently firing instead of hiring, I am exploring other options like state government or areas of law that I find interesting such as employment law and intellectual property. Who knows where I’ll end up- that’s part of the adventure!��

William Ostlund

WO: After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in patent law. Although that route does not necessarily involve working as a JAG, I hope to find alternative ways to continue to serve the veteran community.

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