How a Career Development Fellowship Launched a Legal Career for Christa Walton
How a Career Development Fellowship Launched a Legal Career for Christa Walton
Christa Walton took an unconventional path to Baylor Law School. Before preparing for a career in the courtroom, she was busy developing her music career. But the most important part of the story isn’t the career pivot; it’s Christa’s commitment to public service. In this episode of the Counseller’s Corner, Christa shares how Baylor Law’s Career Development Fellowship made it possible for her to pursue a pivotal (and unpaid) internship with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office; an experience that launched her future as a prosecutor. It’s a candid look at how one opportunity, backed by the right support, can change everything, and why investing in students who want to serve matters more than ever.
Watch This Episode on YouTube
TRANSCRIPT
Jeremy
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Counseller's Corner. My name is Jeremy Counseller, and I'm the Dean of Baylor Law School. And I'm very, very pleased today to be joined by third-year law student, soon to be law school graduate, Christa Walton.
Christa, welcome. And how are you doing?
Christa
I'm doing well. Thank you for having me.
Jeremy
Well, you're very welcome. One thing that interests me is your path to law school was a bit nontraditional, and I think a lot of people use the term nontraditional in a variety of different ways. But you had a bit of a career before you, you decided to go to law school. You talk about that a little bit.
Christa
Yeah, I worked in the music industry.
I had a signed contract as an artist and as a songwriter, so I would write for other artists at Universal Music Group.
Jeremy
That's pretty cool.
Christa
It was a really cool experience. It was.
Jeremy
So, did you get any songs out into the, into the world like someone who performed them?
Christa
I did.
Jeremy
All right. So, you've got this career going and you've had at least some success. And then you're like, I want to be a lawyer. So how does that happen? How do we go from point A to point B?
Christa
Yeah, I just wasn't happy, and I felt very isolated in the music industry as I had no connections. It was really just me and a bunch of these successful people, and it just came to a point where I wanted to do something else with my life. And so, I asked my lawyer if there was any way I could get out of this ironclad contract. And he was very strategic, and I felt like he was the first person in a long time to actually help me and listen to me.
And so, the day he emailed me and said, you're out, you can move on with your life, I went to Barnes and Noble and bought an LSAT prep book because it was just I was so grateful for him to do it, first of all, pro bono, but then to do it at all.
Jeremy
So, had you already decided that you wanted to go to law school before the lawyer helped you, or was the lawyer's help, what, what inspired you or solidified your decision?
Christa
I would say the, my lawyer helping me solidified that wow lawyers really do help people. So, I wanted to do that for someone else.
Jeremy
Okay. You are it doesn't sound like you are going to be the same sort of lawyer as the one you mentioned who helped, but you are going to help. I mean, you're, you're, what you're going to do is really a service.
You are going to work where after graduation?
Christa
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.
Jeremy
Okay. If I'm remembering correctly, I think being a prosecutor has been something you've had your sights on throughout law school.
Christa
Yeah.
Jeremy
Yeah. Why? What, what is it about that job that makes you want to do it?
Christa
I, when I started learning more about the law and 1Q classes, I was just drawn to criminal law because I think there's a lot of great that can be done on both sides.
I could see myself as defense or as prosecutor. And it just kind of happened that the opportunity to be a prosecutor opened up first. And I'm just very excited. So, I just think it's important work that needs to be done.
Jeremy
Yeah. It is, it's, it's good work. I was a prosecutor for five minutes and it was a good five minutes.
Christa
You learned a lot.
Jeremy
Yeah. Yeah, it was good. Now. There's a reason why, that there's something that helped you be able to go do, I think an internship with the Philadelphia DA's office, which then led to your upcoming permanent employment, long term employment. Talk about, talk about that which we call the summer stipend program, the Baylor Law Career Development Fellowship. Talk about that.
Christa
Yeah. So, when I was called by Larry Krasner of the DA to say, “We’d love to have you this summer”, and I was so excited, you know, I immediately was like, oh, it's going to be expensive. I don't have family to stay with in Philadelphia. I don't know anyone in Philadelphia, but I remember Austin Byrum, who used to work here as a CDO, and he was like, we do have a program and a fellowship that can help for people that are working in internships that are unpaid. And so just having that reassurance that I could have some support meant the world to me.
Jeremy
Right? So, there's something a lot of law students don't know is if you go to work in the summer for a law firm, likely that's a paid position. Often, it's a paid position. But if you want to do nonprofit work or you want to do public service work, like for the government, they're typically not paid positions.
And so how do you kind of finance that six weeks, nine weeks, twelve weeks, whatever it is? And so, our program is to help cover as much of those costs as we, as we can. So, it's really good. And I'm glad that that benefited you. Now, am I reading this right that you have rescued a number of dogs?
Christa
Yes. I did not know that you knew that.
Jeremy
Talk to me about the dog rescue.
Christa
So, a few weeks ago I saw a man, little, a little bit younger than me, and he had seven dogs tied up in chains, and he was walking them. And I drove past, and I saw that one of the dogs was severely malnourished, and I pulled over and I was like, I'm not going to yell at you for the treatment of the dogs, but can I get you and these dogs some food?
Because you guys are clearly not in a great situation. And he was like; you can take them if you want. And I was like, oh, I don't know if I can do that. But I called Ally Barnett, who was another student here, and she and I have rescued dogs and cats in the past, and she's my next-door neighbor.
So, she came over and we scooped up three of the dogs and one had to get leg surgery. One is still in the vet in Dallas now, but it's something that we both like to do with helping animals.
Jeremy
Very good. And what is the status of those dogs now?
Christa
They're doing better. The man wanted to keep four dogs, and we were not able to find housing for them anyways.
So, he's still living under a bridge with those four dogs. But we do bring them food and water and help in some ways that we can.
Jeremy
You're not my daughter, but I have daughters. And I just want to tell you, good heart, be careful. That's all I want to say. Oh, I know, I mean, if my daughter told me, I walked up to a guy with seven dogs in chains, I'd be like, okay, why?
And you would say, because I want to help the dogs and be like, that's a good reason. But anyway, Christa, you got a big heart. I can tell you why service is so important to you. Do you, do, I don't, I don't. Do your parents, loved ones know about this?
Christa
The dogs?
Jeremy
Well, how you acquired them.
Christa
Oh, yeah. I called my mom, and I was, because it was very emotional and very tiring. So, I called her crying. I was like, this is happening. And she was like, okay, if you can, I'll buy them dog food, okay? They know.
Jeremy
All right. Good, good. All right, let's talk about, because I think you have recently completed, practice court.
Christa
Yes.
Jeremy
Okay. Obviously, the skills you learned there are going to be very important for the career path you've chosen as a prosecutor and maybe someday, criminal defense attorney. Talk about your experience in practice court. And, and what you thought of it.
Christa
I actually, in hindsight, really liked practice court. There were definitely some days while I was in it that I would not have said that.
I was on a mock trial team at the same time, so that was a lot of work. But I talked to an alumni that actually works at the Philly D.A. office, and he was like, if you can handle PC, you can handle being an A DA. And so, I had to remind myself that, you know, if I want to be in a very work heavy trial everyday job, I need to be able to buck up and handle this. So, I actually really liked it.
Jeremy
One of the things that happens in practice court, one of the things is you go through simulated trials.
Christa
Yes.
Jeremy
And you have a professor expert sitting in the corner of the room who can stop you, critique what you did, make you do it differently. So, you sort of back up and do it again. I'm wondering how you, just kind of what your reaction to that process was because, like you, I was in practice court. In hindsight, I really appreciate practice court, but I'm just wondering how much you felt you learned about the advocacy skills that are going to be so important to you in your first job?
Christa
I think it's invaluable. I mean, it's a great experience, even just dealing with feeling embarrassed, because when I was on my internship doing preliminary hearing, there are times where you feel embarrassed of being like, oh, that was not a good objection that I made. And that judge made that very clear to everyone in the courtroom. And so, it just kind of teaches you to have thick skin.
And also, you're getting better because you're learning. So, I, I appreciated it.
Jeremy
Yeah. It's a question of everybody has to learn it. So, when are you going to learn it?
Christa
Right.
Jeremy
You're going to learn it on the cheap in the classroom…
Christa
Right?
Jeremy
…where the stakes aren't actually very high. They may feel very high. And that's a good thing because it is a simulation and we want the stakes to feel high.
Or do you want it to matter when you're actually in a courtroom? And so, I think it's, I think it's really important.
So, you are going to return to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office after graduation, and I think you start in May.
Christa
No, I start in September.
Jeremy
Oh, good!
Christa
Yeah. So that's why I'm a 10Q.
Jeremy
Okay. You're graduating in May.
You don't start your job until September. I assume you're going to take the July bar exam, but the July bar exam ends in July, and then you will have a month or so, month and a half or so. What are you going to do with that time?
Christa
Probably rescue dogs in Philadelphia.
Jeremy
Really?
Christa
Probably. No, I think my family, my parents might take me on a post bar trip, but there's probably going to be to like Tennessee to see my sister. So, nothing that crazy.
Jeremy
Okay.
Christa
I mean, Tennessee's great, but…
Jeremy
Yeah, Tennessee's great!
Christa
Yeah.
Jeremy
Yeah, Memphis is fabulous. Are you going to go to Memphis?
Christa
I don't know, I've never been to Tennessee. They just moved to Knoxville.
Jeremy
Okay, that's good too. Yeah, Knoxville is good too. You got to value that because the vacation between jobs is the only real vacation you ever get, you know, so this, this summer would be the last one for quite a while, I predict.
Okay. We have come to the lightning round. Yeah. It's, it's, it's tough. Questions are silly. Answers have to be short. Okay. Here, here we go.
Christa
Okay.
Jeremy
If you have two hours of free time, would you read a book or watch a movie?
Christa
Watch a movie.
Jeremy
Music or podcast on a long drive?
Christa
Music.
Jeremy
Makes sense. Study in silence or with background noise?
Christa
With silence.
Jeremy
Favorite holiday?
Christa
Halloween.
Jeremy
Prefer texting or calling?
Christa
Calling.
Jeremy
Favorite kind of weather?
Christa
Cold. Rain.
Jeremy
This is giving me a sense of the sort of music you may have written. Am I right about that?
Christa
Yes. You're correct.
Jeremy
Okay. Halloween and cold and wet. All right. Do you work best with a detailed schedule or flexible To-Do list?
Christa
Detailed.
Jeremy
What is your favorite board game?
Christa
Clue. My cat's named after it.
Jeremy
Very good. Do you plan the trips or follow someone else's plan?
Christa
Follow someone else's plan.
Jeremy
Obviously, with this mystery trip to Tennessee. Concerts... I feel like we got to know you because these answers are consistent with the interview. Concert or sporting event?
Christa
Concert.
Jeremy
Yeah.
Christa
Shocker.
Jeremy
Airport… Early arrival or just on time.
Christa
Early arrival.
Jeremy
Amen. Big group gathering or small circle?
Christa
Small circle.
Jeremy
Cook at home or go out to eat?
Christa
Oh. Oh, you got me. Probably go out to eat.
Jeremy
Take photos or live in the moment?
Christa
Live in the moment.
Jeremy
Okay. I understand you may have a question for me.
Christa
Yes. I was actually curious when you were a law student at Baylor Law, what was your least favorite or most difficult course?
Jeremy
I, so I'm not trying to dodge the question, but I remember two points in law school that were difficult, and one has to do with the course. One is practice court.
Christa
Right.
Jeremy
I mean, it wasn't my least favorite. I am immensely grateful for practice court. But the challenge of just getting it all done and then steadily becoming more efficient.
You know that process where you learn, I can do more than I thought I could, but that ascending that curve is, is difficult. The other point I remember in law school was, it was the beginning of the second year of law school, and I was so looking forward to it because I thought, this is going to be so much better and less stress and anxiety than the first year of law school.
And I got into the second year and I was like, it was different. I mean, the second year was definitely different, but you realize I realized pretty quickly there is a lot more information that we're responsible for in every second-year course, because it's, just I mean, that's the year of law school where it is just not so much.
First year is about the skills, thinking and communicating like a lawyer. But the second year is like, here's a whole mountain of law that you're getting. And then I had some other responsibilities as well. I mean, you mentioned you were on a mock trial team. I was on a moot court team in the second year. And I just remember I had a carrel.
We still have carrels here. I didn't go to law school in this building, but we had, I had a carrel, and I remember very vividly being at my carrel going, this is this is going to be different than the first year, but is not going to be easier, just going to be a challenge in a different way. But again, I'm really grateful for that because, it was a challenge.
And you meet the challenge, you get through the challenge and you're closer to being a good professional, closer to being a good lawyer when you're on the other side of the challenge. So those are the two things I remember. I don't remember, like a course that I was like, I don't like this course. I remember courses I thought, I am not going to like this course, and I did like it.
So, for example, I really liked trusts and estates. Didn't think I would because I really thought I'd probably not going to practice in this area but really like trusts and estates and really liked tax. I thought tax was really interesting. I'm like, I'm not going to be a tax lawyer. I already knew that. It was really thought that was true.
And I think something that I've taken from that and try to pass on to students is we can all have like the queue I think I want to be a prosecutor, but keep at least somewhat of an open mind so you don't shut yourself off to all these other possibilities. Because I really thought tax law was fascinating. I mean, really, really interesting.
So, I didn't go that route, but I thought it was interesting. And maybe if I'd had more of an open mind, I would have, but…
Christa
Yeah. Can I ask another question?
Jeremy
Sure, you can.
Christa
Because I know you are a self-proclaimed Swiftie.
Jeremy
Yeah.
Christa
Is that a secret?
Jeremy
That's not a secret. I'm quite open with the things that I enjoy.
Christa
Okay.
Jeremy
And do.
Christa
What is your favorite Taylor Swift song?
Jeremy
This is kind of embarrassing. It's Lover.
Christa
That's a good song.
Jeremy
Yeah, it's a good song.
Christa
That's a good one.
Jeremy
Yeah, I really like it.
Christa
Underestimated.
Jeremy
I really like that song. I cannot, you may know the name of the song. She does a song. She does a couple of songs with the guy from Bon Iver there. Bon Iver, however you say it. I like that. Oh, yeah, I like both of those. How do you say the name of them is?
Christa
Like French? Like Bon Iver. Okay, I'm not French, but…
Jeremy
Okay. I like that group.
Christa
Yeah.
Jeremy
And I, I think what's it was… Do you know the lead singer name, that Justin something?
Christa
Oh, I don't know.
Jeremy
Anyway. Yeah, I think his voice on the songs he does with her is completely different than it is on any of the groups on songs and is, is really interesting.
Christa
Right.
Jeremy
But, yeah, that would be my top Taylor Swift song. So...
Christa
I learned so much.
Jeremy
Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Thank you very much, Christa. This has been a joy. And I, you are going to do really, really well in your career and get off to a great start in, in Philadelphia. And congratulations on your upcoming graduation from law school.
Christa
Thank you very much for having me. And thank you for the education.
Jeremy
Yeah, you're very welcome.
