Samantha Duncan

Attorney-adviser in the Office of Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State

2014 | Washington, D.C.

UMass Amherst | Legal Studies

“MSU Law's competitive arbitration team gave me practical experience, which then allowed me to first chair an arbitration hearing shortly after graduation.”

During her time at MSU Law, Samantha focused her studies on labor and employment law and alternative dispute resolution. “MSU Law's curriculum allowed me the opportunity to specialize my studies to an area that I wanted to be a part of after graduation,” she said. “The specific skills and knowledge learned in those focused classes has undoubtedly benefited my career thus far.”

“In particular, MSU Law's competitive arbitration team gave me practical experience, which then allowed me to first chair an arbitration hearing shortly after graduation. Today, I also use what I learned in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation, Commercial Arbitration, Labor Arbitration, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, and Speaking Skills for Lawyers,” Samantha said.

She also credits Professor Mary Bedikian as an amazing mentor to her during arbitration and alternative dispute resolution competitions. “Professor Bedikian not only taught me valuable lessons and coursework, but helped me to see the numerous possibilities for my skill set after graduation,” Samantha said.

Samantha believes the biggest strength of MSU Law is its focus on building practice-ready students. “The practical coursework is diverse and unique and helped prepare me to practice law after passing the bar,” she said.