1L Kevin Lee

Watch a WFAA profile about Kevin: "From homeless to Law School, this man is writing his own story"

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I made my way to Dallas, Texas in 2014 to attend Paul Quinn College. During my years at Paul Quinn College, I served as class president, student ambassador to the White House, studied abroad in the Netherlands, studied at Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, completed a three-year fellowship at UC San Diego, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine, and won $20,000 for the college by creating and pitching a business plan to over 100 CEOs and business leaders, which addressed poverty amongst children in Dallas, Texas. I was named a finalist for “Texan of The Year” by the Dallas Morning News and featured in the Lumina Foundation magazine. Most recently, I was a member of SVP Dallas Dana Juett Residency, I am also on the steering committee of After8toEducate, and an SVP Dallas Partner. My mission is to address the issues of homelessness, show the world that giving up is never an option, and serve my country and community.

2. Why did you decide to come to SMU Law?

When I moved to Texas six years ago to attend Paul Quinn College, I knew that I wanted to further my education by going to law school and SMU Dedman School of Law was my number one choice on my list of law schools. SMU Law has a stellar record of producing great lawyers, a phenomenal bar passage rate, and everyone is treated like family, even though SMU has a large campus. I experienced the sense of community when I reached out to the law school while I was studying for the LSAT and I was granted access to use the law library to study for the LSAT.

3. What has been your favorite class and why?

My favorite class has been Legal Research & Writing. I realize how important legal writing is, especially being an advocate for a client, and I want to ensure that I am effective when I am writing and serving my clients.

4. When you are not in school or studying, what do you do for fun?

When I am not in school or studying, for fun, I go to the lake, gun range, take short road trips, and look at homes that I would like to buy my mom one day!

5. What extracurricular activities have you enjoyed most and why? (SBA, moot court, etc.)

I have enjoyed being the 1L representative for section 1 through SBA. This position has allowed me to connect with my classmates, meet 2L’s and 3L’s, and most significantly, being a representative has allowed me to include my classmate’s ideas, regarding events that they would like to see on campus. I am excited to continue to serve as a representative to ensure that our student organizations are funded, students and the administration have the opportunity to work together and ensuring that our law school experience is enjoyable and memorable.

6. How has law school challenged you most?

Law school has challenged me to look at the law differently. It’s not all about what you see on TV, there are so many areas of the law that are vital. I have also learned various ways to improve my time management skills.

7. What has been your most memorable law school moment so far?

The most memorable law school moment so far, has been WFAA coming to the campus to cover a story about my journey from homelessness to law school. I received an amazing amount of support from the administration and my peers. It was also an honor to have Dean Stephen Yeager be a part of the interview.

8. What do you plan to do post-graduation?

I plan to work with Judge Barbara Lynn as a Judicial Clerk. Judge Lynn saw my story featured on WFAA, reached out to the law school, and graciously offered me a position to intern in her chambers.

9. Have you had any important mentors during law school? If so, who?

Yes, I have had amazing mentors during law school, which include: Ted Herrod, Senior VP of Sales, PepsiCo—Retired; Tony Fleo, CEO, SVP Dallas; Tony Fundaro, CEO, Philanthropy Southwest; Jonathan Blum, Shareholder, Polsinelli; Jorge Baldor, Founder, Latino Center for Leadership Development; Rob Walker, Owner/Managing Partner, Robert Walker Custom Clothier; Marna Davis, Media Public Relations Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau; and Patrick Jackson, President, Action Online Marketing, LLC. Since the start of my first year at SMU, I have met additional individuals who have offered to serve as mentors, which include: Judge Barbara Lynn, Chief United States District Judge, Northern District of Texas; Jonathan Neerman, Partner, Jackson Walker; and Mark Melton, Partner, Holland & Knight.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 and 10 years?

My story is still being written, however, in five years, I see myself working as a judicial clerk for Judge Barbara Lynn. After clerking for some time, by year ten, I can see myself working at a law firm in Dallas, such as Haynes & Boone, Polsinelli, Jones Day, or functioning as general counsel for a corporation, before joining the bench.