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Darlene is a Family Law Lawyer & Mediator at Rites Law PC. She attended Windsor Law School in Ontario, Canada, and graduated in 2010. She is passionate about providing family law legal services with empathy, respect, and urgency.
I was motivated to pursue a career in law because I have always had a deep interest in social justice and making a positive impact on society. This passion truly came to life during my grade 11 law course, where I was first introduced to the idea of using the legal system as a tool for change. It opened my eyes to how the law can be a powerful way to advocate for those who may not have a voice. Whether it was through participating in clubs focused on social change in high school or being actively involved in community initiatives, I realized that law offered a meaningful path to address inequalities and create lasting, impactful change.
Looking back, I wish I had known just how holistic the law school application process really is. While I focused heavily on achieving a high LSAT score and maintaining a strong GPA, I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of crafting a compelling personal statement and how much weight schools place on your experiences and motivations beyond academics.
When it came to my law school personal statement, I took a somewhat unconventional approach—it had nothing to do with the law itself. Instead, I focused on an experience that deeply shaped my understanding of service and empathy: my time volunteering for a Meals on Wheels program as a teenager.
Through that experience, I learned the importance of community, connection, and providing support to those in need. Delivering meals was about more than just food—it was about showing up for people, listening to their stories, and offering companionship. This experience taught me the value of advocacy and compassion, both of which are core to my motivation for pursuing law.
I chose this story because it represented a defining moment in my life, one where I realized how small actions can make a big difference. While it wasn’t directly related to law, it perfectly illustrated the qualities that I believe are essential in a lawyer: empathy, a sense of responsibility, and a desire to make an impact in the lives of others. I think what made my statement stand out was that it showed who I am at my core and what drives me, rather than simply focusing on academic achievements or legal ambitions. It gave the admissions committee a deeper understanding of my character and my genuine commitment to helping others.
The biggest challenge that caught me off guard was the wave of self-doubt that hit me after I finished. Despite all my preparation, when I completed the test, I found myself questioning my performance and wondering if I had done enough.
After the test, I struggled with the decision of whether to cancel my results and rewrite the test a second time. Looking back, the doubt was just part of the intense pressure that comes with taking such a significant test, and my results ended up being better than I had feared. That experience taught me a lot about trusting my preparation and not letting the stress get the best of me in high-stakes situations.
Before applying to law school, I didn’t have any law-related work experience, and no one in my family was a lawyer, so I didn’t have that direct exposure to the legal field. However, I was always active in my community and sought out volunteer opportunities in areas I was passionate about.
Even though my experiences weren’t directly tied to the law, they shaped my sense of responsibility and commitment to helping others, which is central to why I wanted to pursue a legal career. What helped me the most during the application process was focusing on how those experiences demonstrated qualities important for a lawyer—empathy, problem-solving, and dedication to making a positive impact. I made sure my application reflected my personal story and passion for justice, even if I didn’t have traditional law-related experience.
Yes, I did experience setbacks during the law school admissions process, namely rejections from a few schools I had my heart set on. It was tough at first, especially because I had worked so hard to prepare my application and was confident in my personal statement and LSAT score. The rejection was a hit to my confidence, and it made me second-guess whether I was really cut out for law school.
What I learned from that experience, though, was resilience and the importance of trusting the process. Not every school will be the right fit, and those rejections didn’t define my potential or my ability to succeed in law. I realized that the admissions process can be unpredictable, and it’s important to stay open to all possibilities. Ultimately, I ended up at a school where my values aligned with the program. That rejection only fueled my determination to succeed and reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a legal career.
I’m not entirely sure how the admissions process has changed with the use of AI on the law school side, but I do expect that many applicants are using AI tools to help prepare their application packages. While AI can help generate ideas, edit essays, and fine-tune writing, there is a concern that applications heavily crafted by AI might be flagged or weeded out for lacking authenticity. Admissions committees are looking for genuine personal statements that reflect an applicant’s true voice and unique experiences.
If a personal statement or essay feels overly polished or generic, it may stand out negatively, potentially diminishing the applicant’s chances. That’s why I would caution against relying too heavily on AI when preparing application materials. You must ensure that your story, values, and motivations come through clearly and authentically—something AI can’t fully capture. Law schools want to understand who you are, not just read a perfectly structured essay that lacks personality or depth.
If you’re looking to pursue Family Law, I would advise you to explore mediation and ADR courses in law school. Mediation skills are becoming increasingly valuable, as many family disputes are resolved outside of the courtroom. Getting accredited in mediation can open up additional opportunities, and it's a growing field within family law.
In terms of opportunities, I recommend seeking out internships or volunteer work at legal clinics, shelters, or family law firms. Attending workshops or conferences on family law and ADR will also help build connections with professionals in the field and give you insight into the practical skills needed.
I’m not just saying this because I’m in Family Law, but Family Law saw a surge in demand during the pandemic and, unfortunately, is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. If you're looking for a practice area with steady demand and meaningful client interactions, Family Law is a good option.
In addition to Family Law, Technology Law, and Artificial Intelligence Law are other fields students should consider to future-proof their careers. With the rapid development of AI and automation, lawyers specializing in these areas will be needed to navigate complex legal questions related to liability, intellectual property, data privacy, and ethics. AI is already transforming industries like healthcare, finance, and legal practice itself, so the legal landscape will have to evolve quickly to keep up with these advances.
Moreover, data privacy concerns are growing as more people and businesses rely on digital platforms, making privacy law and cybersecurity law critical areas.
One of the biggest sacrifices I’ve had to make in pursuing a career in law is time, though I admit I’m a bit of a workaholic by nature. However, early on, I made a conscious decision not to work at a big firm because I wanted to have more control over my life and time. I knew that if I didn’t actively carve out that balance, it wouldn’t happen.
The majority of my career has been spent working at a small firm that aligned with my values and allowed me to maintain a better work-life balance. It gave me the flexibility to prioritize not only my career but also my personal life, which is something that can easily get lost in the demands of the legal profession.
It’s a decision you need to consciously make, though, because the legal field can easily consume your time if you’re not careful. For anyone entering law, I’d recommend thinking carefully about what kind of work environment will allow you to thrive personally and professionally, because achieving that balance doesn’t happen by accident.
Haha - whatever you’re thinking, triple it! Although it would be hilarious to see how disastrously I’d perform without any preparation.
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