Our Interview With Dennis Shillen, Managing Partner at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer

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Dennis Shillen is the Managing Partner at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer. He graduated with a J.D. from Howard University School of Law in 1980. Shillen specializes in personal injury law.

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What motivated you to pursue a career in law?

Having read “To Kill a Mockingbird” motivated me to pursue a career in law. 

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

I wish I had known how long it takes. 

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?

My process was simple, given my passion for helping people. I focused on authentically articulating that sentiment. 

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

The biggest challenge for me was the math component. 

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 for a federal union for a year prior to applying to law school. The communication skills I learned and practiced in that position helped me the most. 

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

Fortunately, I did not have to face rejection through the law school application process. 

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

A keen interest in medicine led me to practice personal injury exclusively. I would recommend honing your public speaking skills in pursuit of a career in personal injury.

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?

International relations.

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

Time. It is a huge sacrifice of time. 

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

$1000

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