CU Law Profiles
Alumnus Profile

Laurie Rust

Class of 2006

Age

25

Hometown

Nashua, New Hampshire

Family Status

Single

Undergraduate Institutions and Degrees

B.A. Univ of Colorado at Boulder 2001
Universidad de Sevilla study abroad, spring 2000

Hobbies, Sports, or Extracurricular Passions

running, yoga, photography, travel

What were you doing before you came to the University of Colorado Law School?

I was living and working in an indigenous Maya community in the Ixcan Jungle in Guatemala, working on a genocide case. (1 yr) Before that, I was a mutual fund accountant at State Street Bank in Boston, MA (1 yr).

What is one interesting, fun, or offbeat thing you have done in your lifetime?

I volunteered at two international children's camps -- one in Ukraine and the other in Turkey.

Where do you live now (e.g., Boulder, Denver, etc.)?

Downtown Boulder

Why did you choose to live there?

I love the vibe of downtown Boulder. There is always something interesting going on -- whether it be a speaker at the Boulder Bookstore, a jazz band at Vic's coffee shop, or the street performers on Pearl Street. People here are cosmopolitan and politically aware; you can have a conversation on the bus or in the grocery store about international affairs or word philosophies.

What piece of advice would you give a student about moving to Boulder?

Come to Boulder and spend a weekend. Decide what is most important to you (central location, within walking / biking distance of school, close to shops, financial constraints). Walk around prospective neighborhoods and talk to people: Boulderites are incredibly friendly and willing to talk about their neighborhoods.

What piece of advice would you give a student about surviving being a 1L?

Remember your passions. If biking, skiing, or hiking make you happy -- continue these activities. Balance is the most important tool for survival.

2Ls are a great resource. During my first year, second year students gave me outlines, study guides, and tips for each class. It was really helpful to have so many willing mentors guide me through my first year.

What piece of advice would you give a student about getting the most out of law school?

Explore! Take a variety of classes, both ones you think you are interested in and others that would provide you exposure to other areas of the law. Take advantage of the clinical and externship programs, they provide valuable insight into the legal real world.

Why did you want to go to law school in general?

I came to law school to work in the human rights field.

What made you decide to come to the University of Colorado School of Law specifically?

CU has an amazing sense of community. I came here because law school is about more than just studying. I wanted to be surrounded by students who are passionate about their work and eager to engage in intellectual dialog both in and out of the classroom.

In addition, CU Law is an amazing value. The debt burden here is much lower than the other schools I was looking at.

What piece of advice would you give a prospective student about choosing a law school?

Make sure you go to the right school for you. Every law student has different needs and interests. Evaluate who you are and what you want out of law school, and choose the school that is the best match for you.

Did you receive any financial aid, private loans, scholarships, or fellowships, and could you describe them?

I receive loans, grants, and scholarships.
18,500 fed loans
2800 state / cu grants
2000 law school supplemental assistance
1500 scholarships
*My budget was increased to cover extensive medical bills.

What advice would you give a prospective student about how to get financial aid or how to understand the system?

Fill out the FAFSA early! Pay attention to deadlines. You?ll want to apply for private alternative law loans early. The Financial Aid office sends every student a sheet called the ?8 Steps to Financial Aid.? It clearly spells out your responsibilities.

It is really important to remember that just about everyone qualifies for in-state tuition their second year. We joke that this is the biggest scholarship available There are lots of scholarships available to second and third year students; even if you don?t receive scholarship money your first year, there are ample opportunities for scholarships and grants as a continuing student.

What first year courses did you have?

Criminal law (Reitz)
Torts (Eid)
Property I (Campos)
Civil Procedure I (Mueller)
Legal Writing (T. Stafford)

Contracts (Peppet)
Property II
Civ Pro II
Constitutional Law (Wieser)
Appellate Advocacy (T. Stafford)

What second year courses have you taken?

Immigration Clinic (Gilbert)
Int?l Law (Yee)
Employment Law (White)
Evidence (Mueller)
Law Review

Immigration Law (Huntington)
Int?l Business Transactions (Ryan)
Prof. Resp (Hart)
Legislation (Campos)
Alternative Dispute Resolution (Clymer)
Law Review

Why did you take the courses that you chose during your 2L and 3L years?

I am interested in international and employment law, but also wanted to gain exposure to several facets of the law.

What was your favorite Law School class? Why?

The Immigration Clinic provided a different type of challenge. Instead of reading and preparing for class, I was working on actual cases with real clients. I wrote an asylum brief for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and tried cases before the Immigration Court in Aurora.

What student organizations have you been involved with at the Law School?

I am the president of the Class of 2006. It has been exciting to work with students to foster a sense of community. We plan fun activities, as well as taking on more serious challenges. We have worked with Election Protection, held debate watch parties, lobbied for increased support services for incoming students, raised funds for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, and held family bbqs.