Our Interview With David Holt, Trial Attorney at Smith Law Center

‍

David Holt is a Trial Attorney at Smith Law Center. He holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Mary Washington and a Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law. Admitted to the Virginia Bar in October 2003, he initially worked for state Senator Ken Stolle, where he developed a passion for civil and criminal law during the 2004 General Assembly. Before law school, Holt served as a police officer in Hampton, creating training protocols for recruits. Afterward, he began his legal career as a state prosecutor, handling hundreds of jury trials, including complex murder and gang cases. He has also lectured statewide on the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments.

‍

What motivated you to pursue a career in law?

I was a police officer before I went to law school and was interested in federal law enforcement. A law degree seemed logical for my career aspirations at the time.

What do you wish you had known about the law school application process before you applied?

Finding a way to separate yourself from the pack is critical to getting noticed. Undergraduate performance does not necessarily equate to success in law school.

A lot of students struggle with the law school personal statement. What did your brainstorming, writing, and editing process look like, and what do you think made yours stand out from the crowd?

Thought, then getting it down on paper, then more thought, then redrafting. All critical components of good writing.

What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the LSAT?

The time constraints on everything. I do not do well on standardized tests.

How much work experience did you gain before applying to law school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most during the application process?

I worked as a management trainee for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for a few years, then I was a police officer for almost 4 years before law school.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the law school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

I had a very narrow number of opportunities because my undergraduate grades were not exceptional (3.2 GPA) and so I was limited in my choices for law school. But I thrived at Regent University and loved most all of law school.

What led you to specialize in Trial work? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty? What activities/events/opportunities would you recommend for students wanting to pursue Trial work?

I get the most joy from my professional career when I’m telling a story in a courtroom or interacting with those in the judicial system. My experience as a cop made me very comfortable under stressful situations and very locked in.

What are some emerging fields of law that you would recommend potential students to start thinking about if they want to future-proof themselves in the industry? 

Certainly, AI is an emerging area where there are lots of unknowns on how to use it in the legal industry and how to apply it to our work.

What are the biggest sacrifices you’ve had to make to pursue a career in law?

Very few. I intentionally pursued an area of my legal career where my balance in life was the most important aspect of what I did professionally. I did not want a legal career billing hours and spending weekends in the office. There is too much in life to enjoy. So I intentionally find time for my family and myself.

Bonus question: How much would we have to pay you to take the LSAT again? 

$10,000.

‍

At Juris Education, we showcase conversations with experts like David to give future legal professionals valuable perspectives on the demands and benefits of a legal career.