Finding My Place in Wyoming’s Legal Community

Hi! My name is Isabelle Cruz and I’m a 3L at the University of Wyoming College of Law (UWCOL).

 

My Story

 

I grew up in Sarasota, Florida, but moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, when I was 13. For me, that transition from a southern coastal city to a tight-knit mountain town sparked a lasting appreciation for small communities and the values that sustain them. After graduating high school, I stayed in-state to attend the University of Wyoming, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in business economics with a minor in business management in 2023.

 

My interest in law began well before college. In my junior year of high school, I took AP U.S. Government and Politics and became fascinated by how constitutional principles and legal reasoning shape everyday life. Around that same time, the Supreme Court of the United States was hearing an appeal in a case involving the rights of the Crow Tribe to hunt in the Bighorn Mountains near Sheridan, which further contributed to my fascination with the legal system. That class opened my eyes to the power of law as both an intellectual pursuit and a practical tool for problem-solving, and from that point on, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

 

With law school in my long-term crosshairs, I chose an undergraduate field that played to my strengths, but also gave me a perspective that I believed would set me apart from my peers. I think studying business economics not only sharpened my analytical skills, but also allowed me to approach legal questions with a foundation in market systems, strategic thinking, and how real-world businesses operate.

 

As an undergraduate student, I also had the opportunity to study abroad at EM Strasbourg Business School in Strasbourg, France. There, I took courses on international strategy, global supply chains, human resources, and business management. Living and learning in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone immensely and gave me a broader perspective on how local economies can connect with global markets. It also strengthened my desire to pursue a career that blends business knowledge with legal insight.

 

Growing up in a small business-owning family, I also developed an early respect for entrepreneurship and the hard work that goes into building something from the ground up. That respect has only grown since moving to Wyoming, where local businesses are the backbone of our communities.

 

My Evolving Career Path

 

When I first started law school, I pictured myself becoming a prosecutor. I was drawn to public service and thought criminal law would offer the sense of purpose I was looking for while also being fast paced and engaging. But by the end of my 1L year, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I found myself turning away from criminal law and fell back on what I knew, aiming for a career in corporate work and civil litigation instead.

 

Throughout 2L, I dove into business and commercial law, convinced I would end up in private practice. But while I found the subject matter and work genuinely fascinating, I really struggled with the adversarial nature of litigation. Even when I enjoyed the work, I knew I wanted more than just intellectual engagement; my goal has always been to enjoy what I do and, ideally, love my work.

 

So, coming into my 3L year, I made a conscious decision to realign with what I’ve always been best at: legal research and writing. I also leaned into opportunities that emphasized service and systems-thinking. That pivot ultimately led me to an opportunity that feels like the perfect fit, combining my strengths while also staying close to family. After graduation, I will be working as a legislative attorney in the Legal Division of the Wyoming Legislative Service Office in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute directly to Wyoming’s legislative process and apply my strengths in analysis, policy, and writing to support our state’s lawmakers and communities.

 

My Favorite Moments

 

Some of my favorite memories from law school come from the opportunities that blended research, writing, and leadership—three things I’ve found I really love. One of the highlights of my 3L year has been serving as the Managing Editor of the Wyoming Law Review. In that role, I’ve had the chance to help shape the direction of the journal, work closely with an incredible editorial team, and contribute to the publication process for our fall special issue. It’s been challenging, rewarding, and a reminder of how much I enjoy thoughtful, collaborative work.

 

Another meaningful milestone was publishing my own Comment in the Spring 2025 issue, where I explored blockchain technology and its potential impact on legal and regulatory frameworks. The piece grew out of research I conducted with Professor George Mocsary throughout my 2L year, and diving into such a fast-evolving topic really reinforced my passion for legal scholarship and policy-driven analysis.

 

Outside the Law Review, some of the most grounding parts of my experience have come from community-focused roles. I’ve managed the PLC Bookstore since the spring of my 1L year, a position that’s let me connect with so many of my classmates and play a small part in the daily rhythm of the law school. I’m also serving as the student director of the Business Planning Practicum, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients across Wyoming and apply what I’ve learned in both business and law to help solve real-world challenges.

 

Each of these experiences has shaped not just the lawyer I’m becoming, but also the kind of professional I hope to be: someone who leads with compassion, collaboration, and purpose.

 

About the UWCOL

 

One of the most valuable aspects of attending the UWCOL for me has been being part of Wyoming’s uniquely close-knit legal community. Because Wyoming is such a small state in terms of population, the legal network here is incredibly interconnected, and in my opinion, that’s a huge advantage for law students. The access we have to practicing attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals is unmatched. Whether it’s through guest lectures, mentorship, internships/externships, or informal conversations at UWCOL events, students here are constantly exposed to real-world insight and professional connections that can shape their careers.

 

Networking here isn’t just about shaking hands, it’s about building lasting relationships. Judges know your name and they recognize your face. Attorneys remember you from class panels or summer internships. Professors are well-connected and always willing to make introductions. That kind of accessibility simply isn’t possible in larger schools and states, and it gives UWCOL students a unique edge when it comes to finding meaningful opportunities and mentorship.

 

In addition to the strength of its network, the UWCOL itself is an incredibly collaborative and supportive environment. With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a strong emphasis on experiential learning, UWCOL creates a space where students aren’t just preparing for their individual legal careers, they’re already part of a professional community before they even graduate.

 

My Advice for Incoming Students

 

Start by staying open. You might walk into the first day of 1L thinking you know exactly the kind of lawyer you want to be, and then walk across the graduation stage wanting something completely different. That’s not failure. That’s discovery. I say take the class that intimidates you. Apply for the internship that doesn’t match your “plan.” Let your experiences inform your path, not just your expectations.

 

Get involved early. Some of the most valuable lessons you’ll learn won’t come from casebooks or sitting in class (sorry, faculty!); they’ll come from doing. Whether it’s researching for a professor, working with a clinic, or competing in competitions, all of these opportunities can set you apart from your peers. The UWCOL has a lot to offer, so take advantage of it while time is still on your side.

 

Lean into who you are. Don’t waste energy trying to be the loudest voice in the room or the one with the flashiest study methods. Law school and the legal community needs all kinds of thinkers. If you're someone who processes quietly but writes powerfully, that matters. If you're the one who keeps everyone organized, or just reminds the group to take a break and breathe, that counts for more than you think, and that’s leadership, too.

 

It’s also okay to admit when you're overwhelmed. You don’t need to do this alone, and you shouldn’t. Use the resources available to you. Ask for help. Go to office hours even if you don’t have the “perfect” question. Form a study group and make friends with 2Ls and 3Ls.

 

Law school will ask a lot of you. It demands discipline, humility, and focus. It will challenge how you think about justice, systems, people, and importantly, yourself.

 

But here’s the truth: you deserve to be here. Every time you show up when it’s hard, you’re becoming the kind of lawyer people will want to work with. Every time you take a risk like volunteering for a cold call, apply for something that feels out of reach, or speak up when it counts, you’re building the kind of character that matters more than a grade ever could.