The Way College Should Be

From Mock Trial to Law School: Morgan Washington is Building His Future at SMC

Jeremy Handel

Staff Writer

“Not guilty!”

As lead defense counsel, Morgan Washington built his case, questioned witnesses, and presented his argument to the jury. His efforts paid off. His client was cleared.

It was a mock trial in a high school English class, and his client was a character from a fairy tale, but Morgan gained something very real from the experience. He had discovered what he wanted to do with his future.

“Up until that point, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he said. “That was probably one of the most impactful weeks of my life. Without that, I don’t think I really had the thought of being a lawyer.”

Starting the Journey with Support

Now a junior at Spartanburg Methodist College, Morgan is working toward his goal of becoming a defense attorney.

An athletic recruiting visit first brought him to SMC. He liked the campus and the people he met, and although the College didn’t offer a pre-law program, he saw criminal justice as a place to start.

In one of his first classes, Morgan met Dr. Taylor Brickley, an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. When Morgan shared his ambition, Brickley didn’t question it. Instead, he encouraged it and explained what Morgan would need to do, including earning strong grades and preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

“He’s got a confidence about him that I knew would translate well to that field,” Brickley said. “Then, once we got him in the classroom, it was evident that he had the intellect to get there as well. It was just about how to focus a lot of that energy and do it in an organized and structured way.”

Brickley and Dr. Kaleigh Laird, also an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, became mentors as Morgan pursued his associate degree in criminal justice. Laird, who taught him throughout those first two years, has seen him become more self-assured and focused on his goal.

“Part of his growth has been him realizing his capability,” Laird said. “Once he saw other people believed in him, it was easier for him to find his foothold and gain traction.”

Morgan remembers how they encouraged him to pursue his dream.

“Dr. Brickley never once told me, ‘That’s not possible.’ He was more like ‘Hey, you can do it, and this is what it takes.'”

Doing His Part

Morgan did his part, too. He sought out professors, asked questions, and worked closely with academic advisers to plan his courses. After earning his Associate in Criminal Justice, he chose SMC’s Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies, focusing on psychology and business. He wanted to understand human behavior and strengthen skills that would serve him in law school.

Even though he no longer takes criminal justice classes, Morgan still turns to Dr. Brickley and Dr. Laird for advice as he prepares for the LSAT and considers law schools.

“The only way I’ve gotten my opportunities was because I went and I spoke to the people,” Morgan said. “I made it known what I want to do.”

He’s applied that approach beyond the classroom. As president of SMC’s Black Student Union, Morgan has taken on a campus leadership role while building relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

Becoming a Professional

He’s also putting lessons from the Camak Core, SMC’s required professional development program for bachelor’s students, into practice. The courses help students develop interviewing, communication, and other workplace skills.

“I think making us take professional development is probably one of the best things they could do for us,” Morgan said. “They’re classes specifically to benefit you as a student and if you take it seriously enough, you’ll be prepared for the professional world.”

In one class, Professor Trish Coburn led a discussion about finding purpose. Morgan thought about how he felt when discussing the law, observing trials, or talking with attorneys. Each experience reinforced his sense that he’d found the right career..

The College’s professional development office also told Morgan about the Eric G. Budds Summer Enrichment Academy at the College of Charleston and helped him prepare his application and interview.

At the four-day program, he met practicing attorneys and law students. One law student shared the steps she’d taken to secure legal internships, giving Morgan practical advice for building his own experience.

“Last summer is when the dream to me became a reality,” he said.

Leaving His Mark on Others

Now Morgan is preparing to take the LSAT next summer. He hopes to become a defense attorney who can help people and families in his community. He knows the work ahead will be demanding, but he has a clearer picture of the path forward and the people he can turn to for guidance.

That desire to help others has been an important part of his conversations with Laird.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations centered around having an impact on those around him,” Laird said. “He was really focused on how he can leave the world a better place. When students come to you with those curiosities, it’s really easy to support them in whatever way that we can.”

As a first-generation college student, Morgan knows his accomplishments mean more than personal success. He wants to set an example for his siblings, nieces, and nephews, and his family continues to encourage him as he pursues his dream.

“I’m grateful for the unwavering confidence they have in me,” he said. “When I graduate, it won’t just be my bachelor’s degree, it’ll be a family thing, because I couldn’t have made it this far without them.”