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While some kids grow up with a specific career path in mind, I fell on the opposite end of the spectrum. All I knew for sure was that I wanted to help people. That’s why, after graduating from high school, I decided it was time to leave Chillicothe and enlist in the Navy. I knew that serving my country would not only help to shape my own future, but it would also be an incredible opportunity to help others.

As it turned out, my four-year enlistment ended up giving me even more than I had expected. On top of getting to help people, the experience gave me purpose, taught me discipline, and made me an even harder worker than I already was. It also instilled in me a strong sense of integrity, tenacity, and persistence. It’s those qualities, I think, that paved the way toward a career in law.

During law school, I found I was particularly fascinated by the criminal justice system. It’s no wonder that I jumped at the chance to work as a student attorney at the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office and later, the Northern Illinois College of Law Criminal Defense Clinic. Between those two roles, I completed my first jury trial and got to defend impoverished clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney.