{"image":"","content":"<h1>Andrea Graf<\/h1>\r\n<p><img src=\"irl:\/\/229\/\/\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: left;\" height=\"381\" width=\"300\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>The Value of Legal Writing Skills<\/h4>\r\n<p>&ldquo;I believe that Widener&rsquo;s emphasis on legal writing helped me to prepare for my present job. I constantly prepare briefs and stipulations, which require me to utilize that skill,&rdquo; says Harrisburg campus graduate Andrea M. Graf, who works as an associate attorney at Swartz Campbell LLC.<\/p>\r\n<p>&ldquo;Experience in legal writing also carries over into one&rsquo;s practice in the courtroom, as you are better able to articulate your ideas and arguments,&rdquo; she adds.<\/p>\r\n<p>While attending Widener Law&rsquo;s Harrisburg campus, Andrea put those developing legal writing skills to use as a member of the<a href=\"ipl:\/\/222\/\/W10=\"> Widener Law Journal<\/a>. She says that her time on the Journal staff &ldquo;certainly helped to shape my career as it forced me to improve my legal writing and research skills, which I now use on a daily basis. She adds, &ldquo;This was also the most challenging aspect of my time in law school because there was a lot of work expected of the members of the Journal and that work had to be done thoroughly and accurately.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n<p>As for what she likes most about her current job, she says, &ldquo;I enjoy that I spend some time in the office and some time in court and attending depositions. I would not like to exclusively do one or the other. I also enjoy that I am helping employers and insurance companies in limiting their exposure to present and future claims.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n<p>In order to ensure success in law school, Andrea urges new law students &ldquo;to treat law school as though it is your job,&rdquo; and &ldquo;devote your day to it as though you would be going to work each day. That is an excellent routine to start early on.&rdquo;<\/p>\r\n<p>She encourages students looking for a satisfying career to &ldquo;Participate in internships and clerkships to try out different areas of law,&rdquo; concluding, &ldquo;these short-term experiences are invaluable in determining what you want to do after graduation.&rdquo;<\/p>","box_content":"<h5>WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY?<br \/><br \/><\/h5>\r\n<p><strong>Alumni Spotlight Contact<\/strong><br \/>Natasha Lewis<br \/><a href=\"mailto:nclewis@widener.edu\">nclewis@widener.edu<\/a><\/p>"}