I teed up my interview with Karsyn Dahl, currently the President of the KU student division with a little Q&A. Here is what Karsyn had to say about herself.
Tell us about your undergraduate experience?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Law and Constitutional Studies (minor in History) from Utah State University in 2018. During my time at USU, I was a member of the Government Relations Council, the Institute of Government and Politics Student Advisory Board, Pi Sigma Alpha, Pre-Law Society, Student Body President’s Cabinet, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and the Jon M. Huntsman Entrepreneurship Club.
My undergraduate experience was really defined by the internships I completed during my junior and senior years. I interned for Hillyard, Anderson, and Olsen law firm in Logan, Utah, Governor Gary Herbert in Salt Lake City, and Congressman Rob Bishop in Washington, D.C. Through these internships I developed a close relationship with Utah State’s Government Relations Office. Before graduation, the Government Relations Office hired me as a full-time employee to recruit and place all of Utah State’s government and non-profit intern and coordinate nearly 50 campus events yearly with public figures such as Senator Jeff Flake and Jim Messina. I worked for this office for just over a year and a half before going to law school.
Why did you decide to go to law school?
During my time in the Government Relations Office at Utah State, I developed a great working relationship with the University’s General Counsel Office. I helped the team of attorneys develop a university policy for inviting elected officials and campaign figures to speak on campus. This was my first taste of legal reading and drafting, and I knew I wanted to do projects like that for the rest of my life. The attorneys I worked with have been a great resource for me throughout law school.
How did you become involved in FBA?
I became involved in FBA as a 1L at KU Law. A mentor of mine who works as an attorney for the Federal Reserve recommended the group to me as a great networking source. As 2L year approached, I was interested in taking on a leadership role in FBA but never anticipated being the president. I entered the election meeting with a handful of notes about why I wanted to be the secretary but quickly gained the confidence that I was capable of being president. I tossed my notes and spoke about what I could bring to the table with the experiences I had in college and in my full-time position with Utah State. I am thankful to my classmates for trusting me in this role!
What have you gotten out of FBA?
My favorite part about my FBA experience is the community I have been able to build with the members of our chapter and my executive board. With most of our courses being online this year, it has been difficult to maintain friendships and connections in the law school. I am thankful for this outlet to meet with my FBA friends and connections.
What are your professional plans?
I will be returning to Utah after graduation in May 2022 to work for a company that has had a big impact on my communities back home. It is an in-house position where I will be able to do everything from acquisitions and mergers, intellectual property, employment, nonprofit, international trade, government relations, and more! I somehow landed my dream job right out of law school and I am so excited to get started!
Here is what I have to say about Karsyn. She is clearly personally, professionally and publicly motivated. KU was lucky to land her. It is understandable, but regrettable, that she will be leaving our legal community to return to her Utah roots. But I know we will be hearing more about and more from this rising star who will undoubtedly climb the leadership ladder of FBA when she graduates and commences the practice of law. Right now, her leadership interests and aspirations transcend FBA, since she clued me in to her candidacy for the Student Body President. Her contemporary campaign features TikTok presentations. Hopefully, she included her yellow Lab, Millie. I have seen a picture of Millie studying Karsyn’s Evidence book. Simply adorable. Be careful, Karsyn, don’t let your dog eat your homework.
John Shaw
Berkowitz Oliver |