Leveling Up: Elsa Tovar Morin's Journey at Baylor Law School
Leveling Up: Elsa Tovar Morin's Journey at Baylor Law School
In this episode of Counseller’s Corner, Dean Jeremy Counseller speaks with third-year Baylor Law School student Elsa Tovar Morin about her journey to law school as a paralegal and single mother. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community support and the mindset that has helped her thrive both academically and personally. Elsa shares her reasons for choosing Baylor, the lessons she has learned along the way, and the value she places on presence, gratitude, and service.
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TRANSCRIPT
Jeremy
My name is Jeremy Counseller. I'm the Dean at Baylor Law School. And welcome to another episode of Counseller’s Corner. I am joined today by third year law student Elsa Tovar Morin, who joins us today. Elsa, how are you doing?
Elsa
I'm doing great. Thank you for having me.
Jeremy
Yeah.
So, one of the things I want to talk to you about is that you had a career before you came to law school. You were, I think, a paralegal, right?
Elsa
That's right.
Jeremy
Okay. So, was there something about being a paralegal or legal assistant that made you want to go to law school?
Elsa
So, it's actually a funny story. I wanted to go to law school immediately after I graduated, but, during that process, I, I ended up having my one and only son. So, I took a time, I took some time off, and then that's how I started that paralegal route. And I also, I kind of knocked two birds with one stone.
I wanted to make sure that that was the right, you know, investment because law school is expensive.
Jeremy
Sure, sure. It's investment of time as well as.
Elsa
Oh, yes. Absolutely. So, yeah, I ended up falling more and more in love with the practice of it because it's very practical what I was doing. There were a lot of rules that I had to deal with that I didn't know what they meant, but I just knew they were important. So yeah, all of those years definitely solidified the fact that I knew that I wanted to be an attorney myself.
Jeremy
I'm wondering if during law school you've learned some things that you were kind of based on what you just said, like that's why I was doing the things that I was doing.
Elsa
Every day. It's like full circle, finally full circle. Everything's full circle now. So yeah, I know every day is, it makes sense. I understand why, you know, the attorneys are stressing, and I think attorneys are always going so fast that they fail to realize that their support staff doesn't understand, to appreciate, you know, the. Oh shoot. Yes. Priority.
Jeremy
Well, that's something that you will bring into the practice of law as an attorney that most attorneys probably don't have that perspective.
Elsa
Yeah, absolutely. And also, to understand and appreciate my support staff because they are running the show.
Jeremy
Yeah. Yeah. You mentioned your son. How old is your son?
Elsa
He is six.
Jeremy
Okay. Yes. So, you're coming to the end of law school. So, you've been in law school for a while now. How has that been with a young son? How have you balanced all that?
Elsa
I'm not going to lie to you. It's been a lot easier for me because I have a, like, a great family. Like, my family has been my greatest support. And honestly, I could not do half of the things I do without them. They are the reason I feel comfortable leaving him for so many hours a day, because I am very paranoid, and that's one of the reasons why I kind of delayed him starting school.
So young because I'm his only parent. So, thanks to them, I was able to balance life, school, and my son, he's still, you know, priority in the bar right now and then everything else. Yeah.
Jeremy
So, okay. You've got a son?
Elsa.
Yes.
Jeremy
You commute to Waco from Fort Worth every day?
Elsa
Yes. That’s right.
Jeremy
I want you to walk us through a typical day in the life, in your life? Kind of. From morning to night. What does that look like?
Elsa
Well. So, Well, right now that I'm in PC, I have to adjust. So, every quarter, I had to re-adjust. Like my when I have to wake up and then, because I, it's like an hour drive depending on traffic. Traffic's never bad, so that helps a lot. So right now, I wake up at five so that I can make it here. I like being here early. So, I give myself at least an hour before class starts so I can re-read or re-highlight or just be prepared because I am so anxious when it comes to cold calls. And then just go to class and then drive back home and then obviously the first thing I do is greet my son. How’s your day? What did you do today? He’s always anxious and when are we going to do something fun? I alwsys try to allocate time on the weekends to do something. Whether it’s trying out a new restaurant, or I think, last time, when the Minecraft movie came out, it was post-finals, so we went out to watch that.
Jeremy
Did you throw popcorn at the screen?
Elsa
We did not.
Jeremy
I don’t think you’re supposed to.
Elsa
No, my son was so disappointed to see that people were acting that way. He’s like, how can people act like that?
Jeremy
Good for your son.
Elsa
No, he’s very mature
Jeremy
It sounds like you’re doing a great job of balancing it all. And you obviously doing very well in law school. And I think one day your son will appreciate all that you’ve done and what your family’s done for you. I know you appreciate that. That’s all wonderful. Now, here’s something,my understanding is that you have done recently and I want to talk about this. You completed the business law bootcamp.
Elsa
Yes I did.
Jeremy
Okay. Tell us what the business law bootcamp is.
Elsa
It is an amazing program for a person that is interested in the transactional world. And I am forever grateful to Professor Miller for putting that together. It was so detailed to the last minute. It was just amazing. It's like you get a crash course on, for example, M&A and my experience…
Jeremy
Mergers and acquisitions.
Elsa
Right? Yes. It was just a great, program. It's very, course intensive. So it's not like, oh, I show up and I get the credit. You have to put in the work. We had to do tax and we had to. You know, we had all these, I think we had two exams in between the week, so it's a lot of hard work.
But if you like this stuff, it's worth it.
Jeremy
Yeah. And it's intense, right? Over what period of time does it take place?
Elsa
So you get crash, so you get, you know, these very dense, robust subjects, and you get them compressed into three hours, you know, and obviously you don't get to cover all the, you know, details of everything. But what I appreciated the most out of these presentations was what the speakers really gave us. This is what you need to prioritize.
This is how I would do it. And this is what I think has been successful for all my, you know, 20 years plus experience of doing this.
Jeremy
So, you mentioned Professor Beth Miller, who’s on our full-time faculty here and has been for a long time. She's fantastic. And this is her kind of brainchild, and she runs it. But most of the people who teach in the program, are practicing attorneys, right, who are practicing in this area. I'm wondering if there was a moment during the boot camp where you thought, you know, that's a particular highlight for me.
Elsa
Honestly, there was a highlight every single day, just the speakers, that Professor Miller just picked were fantastic. They all relate back to you. And, and every single one of them gave you something to take away with you, that it will be hard for me to say this one person did it, but I you know, I cannot pick one because they were all so amazing and I am forever grateful for them taking the time of their day to literally come and just talk to us about things that people just kind of oversee or just don't think that there are or that relevant in the transactional world.
Jeremy
There's also my understanding is in the boot camp, the business law boot camp, there's an opportunity to network with practicing attorneys and of course, your fellow classmates. Did you participate in that?
Elsa
I did, I did, it was fun. It was a little scary because I get anxious when it comes to networking with other, professionals. But I really appreciate the fact that I was, kind of, I want to say forced, but encouraged to, just get out of that comfort zone and, you know, speak with people that are professionals. Like, I think myself and, it was just a great experience and I, and I appreciate the fact the, you know, it's the, the business boot camp almost simulated a professional’s day, you know, going to work, doing the work and then kind of unwinding a little bit.
It was just, I don't know how Professor Miller does it, but she's amazing.
Jeremy
You know, I think it's so interesting that you say, and I'm grateful to you for saying it makes me nervous a little bit to do that kind of network. You know, you're sort of, for lack of a better word, schmoozing with people and talking to people that you don't know. And I, I felt that way as well when I was in law school.
It's like, I don't I don't know how to do this. I, you know, I've never been to a cocktail party before. I mean, that's not something that was in my experience. And so, I think it just goes to show there's so many opportunities here. But I think in law, in law schools generally to stretch yourself in and to get to give yourself those opportunities to develop both as a professional and as a person.
And also, I'm glad you said what you said, because I think a lot of prospective students might say I need to be able to do that in order to go to law school. And so, they don't pursue that opportunity. But the truth is, there's all sorts of things you have to learn to do along the way, both as a law student and then in practicing law.
And none of the fact that you can't do it yet or that it scares you a little bit shouldn't stop you, I think.
Elsa
No, and it's funny that you say that, but I think Baylor, and I'm not trying to toot Baylor, so…
Jeremy
Please do.
Elsa
Honestly, Baylor law has passed since I've been here. Pushed me out of my comfort zone, but for the better. And I first, when I was going through it, I would be complaining. And why am I doing this?
I hate it. Once I'm on the other side of completing that, I’m a much more versatile person. I am a little less scared to network and, you know, dress up and interact with the season attorneys. As you know, prior to that, I would have been or even, right now that I'm in PC with speaking in the court and addressing a judge, it's a little less intimidating than, you know, if I would have just done it fresh out as of baby attorney.
It's a little, I have a little, a little confidence that I think would help me get through it.
Jeremy
You know, when when I was going through law school and at Baylor, I went to Baylor. There were lots of things. When I knew they were ahead of me, I would say, I don't want to do that. That scares me. But on the other side of it, I look back on it and say, I'm so glad I did that.
And I think it's sort of orienting your focus in education. Is it on trying to make everybody comfortable so they never feel like they're challenged and therefore they stay in their comfort zone? Or is it when it's over, you look back on and you say, I'm really glad I faced those challenges. Because the thing is, students meet the challenges and they draw strength from and skill from having gone through those things.
Elsa
Yeah. And I think that's another thing that I appreciate about this law school is like they make those, you know, you have to face these things, but they don't push you in it. It's like they I, at least from my experience I've been is like, hey, there's going to be this networking like, she gave us like a week of events to kind of like mentally prepare and kind of like realize, okay, I need to wear this.
I need to wear that. So that's, and that's been so far my experience with everything that I've been not wanting to do. I've been East. And because Baylor, I don't think they push me in there. So I appreciate that.
Jeremy
Did the program, of course, we have courses other than the boot camp that deal with business and transactional law, but did the boot camp in particular make you more interested in a particular practice area or, help you focus on what you might want to do after law school?
Elsa
No. Yeah. It did. So I, I do appreciate a lot of what Professor Miller does. And that's one of the biggest reasons I realized that I needed to do this boot camp in between PC quarters. As crazy as it sounds, because I realized that after taking that, extensive program, I was able to realize that transaction was definitely something that I'm very interested in, particularly business.
Anything business related is, is just really piqued my interest. And if we're getting a little specific, I really do. I'm enjoying, the whole concept of how tax works and, and it's so niche and banking. There was the lecture about the banking and the mortgage lending. I mean, I know it sounds boring to people, but to me it's just like putting a puzzle together based on the, you know, things that are thrown at you and you just have to figure it out.
Jeremy
Yeah, I think I've said this on the podcast before. When I went to law school, I was surprised by how much I like tax law. Yeah.
Elsa
I did not know that.
Jeremy
I was like I was dreading tax. And I was like, this is actually really fascinating. And, I actually I mean, I'm kind of hesitant to say this, but when I did, clerkships during the summer at some law firms, I actually spent some time in a transactional section because I thought I might want to go that way now.
I didn't then end up doing that, but but I thought it was all really interesting. And I think it's important. And I say this a lot that students come with an open mind to law school because you encounter, like you did with banking and with tax, like, wow, that's a really fascinating thing. And I also hear a lot of students say, what you just said, that they love the kind of problem solving the puzzle aspect of it is appealing to a lot of students.
Elsa
Yeah. And the other thing that I appreciate about transactional practice is that it really makes you want to soak in on the little details. And a lot of people tend to oversee that. You know, those details can prevent millions of dollars. Sure. You know.
You if you can define that term, you're saved. You know that. And I like that. And now I am I'm always like looking for liability. I'm like, oh my gosh, that's a liability right there. If I don't, you know, just with little things. But it's, yeah.
Jeremy
I paranoia can help as a lawyer. It can help a lot.
Elsa
It's helping me.
Jeremy
Yeah, yeah. Well, that's that's fantastic. Now, when do you, when are you going to graduate? Do you know when that's going to be?
Elsa
Yes. This August.
Jeremy
This August; it is around the corner.
Elsa
It is. Thank God.
Jeremy
Holy cow. Well, I want to say something. I am so grateful to your family members who are helping you do this by, you know, help them with your son, because this August is going to be a wonderful day for you and for your, your family. And I'm it's going to be a really great thing. And it's, I know, it's taken a, it's taken a team effort.
Elsa
Oh, no, it is it's literally taking my whole village. And I am forever grateful. And I am so excited for, you know, that day. But more than anything, I'm so grateful that I chose this school over the other ones.
Jeremy
So we we're grateful to. And so I think, your family gets free tax advice for life. Okay, now we're moving to the lightning round. Your answers have to be short, and the questions are somewhat silly. Okay, okay. All right. Do you prefer sweet or salty snacks?
Elsa
Sweet.
Jeremy
Are you more of a morning person or night owl? Think you can already answered this?
Elsa
Yeah. I'm actually a night owl now. Yeah, but I. Yeah, if I, if I get to choose, I'll sleep in.
Jeremy
Would you rather read a book or watch a movie?
Elsa
Read a book.
Jeremy
What kind of books are you into right now?
Elsa
Right now, I'm into, like, spiritual consciousness or, like, just being present in the moment. So things like that.
Jeremy
Pancakes or waffles?
Elsa
Pancakes.
Jeremy
Window seat or aisle seat on a plane?
Elsa
Window.
Jeremy
Favorite season of the year?
Elsa
Fall.
Jeremy
If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Elsa
Japan.
Jeremy
It's lightning round. I can't follow up, although I want to. Favorite holiday?
Elsa
Oh, Christmas.
Jeremy
Favorite restaurant in Waco? To the extent you ever get a chance to have a meal in Waco.
Elsa
Well, so far, the only place I really tried has been Cava and it's really good, so I don't know if that counts as a roast.
Jeremy
Okay, if your life were a movie or a book, what genre of movie or book would it be?
Elsa
A drama.
Jeremy
A drama? All right, I understand you have a question for me.
Elsa
I do. Just one. Okay, so we're kind of running out of time here.
Jeremy
Well, you get all the time you need. Take all the time you need.
Elsa
Okay. So, what is, the like if you could pick one value that you hope every graduate of this school carries into their career, what would it be, regardless of their career path?
Jeremy
Yeah, for me it's the importance of service. And that as attorneys, regardless of what practice area that we need to serve our communities. And I don't think that has to mean legal representation, but I think being a lawyer means more than just providing professional legal advice. It certainly involves that. But I think also the, the need to serve our community, whether that's in a faith community, whether that's out in, the town or rural areas where we work, we need to make our communities better than we found them.
And I think that's, that's a really important thing that I want to get across. And, and even as I say that it makes me think about my own life. And am I doing enough to, to serve the people in need and in my own community? But that's the that's the thing that I want them to do. If all we do is serve ourselves with our law degrees, I think we will not have we've not done as well as we could.
And as we go through our lives, I think the thing that we're going to be most proud of is how we serve others, and that's what's going to make us truly wealthy in the richest sense of that word. And, and, all the rest of it will take care of itself if we're doing that. I tend to think.
Okay. Thank you. Elsa. Thank you so much. I'm so proud of all that you've, you've done and all you've achieved. And I look forward to your graduation.
Elsa
I'm excited. Thank you for having me.
Jeremy
Thanks for being on.
OutTake:
Jeremy
Tell me.
Elsa
Yes.
Jeremy
Tell me your son's name.
Elsa
Miguel.
Jeremy
Miguel? Yes. What does Miguel like to do?
Elsa
He likes to play video games.
Jeremy
What does he play?
Elsa
He okay, so you're not, so he likes first person shooter games.
Jeremy
So do I.
Elsa
I do too. That's like my passion.
Jeremy
What do you play?
Elsa
It's just battle royale. I don't know if you've heard of it.
Apex.
Jeremy
Apex Legends. I don't play Apex Legends. My son plays Apex.
Elsa
Really?
Jeremy
He's excellent.
Elsa
He is? How old is he?
Jeremy
He’s 24.
Elsa
Oh, wow. That's okay. Yeah. Well, I'm, I'm turning 29 in August, so I feel like I'm old to play video games.
Jeremy
But, well, I'm. I'm more, much more than 29, and I play video games. My game is Black Ops Six.
Elsa
I used to play, Yeah, I used to play Call of Duty a long time ago.
Jeremy
Yeah. So, here's the thing. So, I play the, you know…
Elsa
the story
Jeremy
Not… I've done that, but I play online. You know, I'm fighting people. All of a sudden, you know, it used to be you had, like, I don't know, a dozen characters that you could pick from in terms of what you look like. Recently, they got Ninja Turtles. I mean, I got killed by a Ninja Turtle the other day, and I'm just like, this is stupid.
Jeremy
A ninja turtle with a machine gun, and that's just dumb.
Elsa
Okay.
Jeremy
But I still play.
