Alumni News & Updates

By Jane SalgadoMichelle Reed (‘03) has devoted much of her legal career to expanding access to justice. Alongside a busy schedule as a partner and Global Co-Chair of the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity group at Paul Hastings LLP, she devotes time to service on the BYU Law Alumni Board, to her many pro-bono cases, and at home to her family and four children. Despite this, becoming a lawyer wasn’t alwa

By Valerie MillsA few years ago, while a busy BYU Law student, Brittany Thorley (‘23) took time to advocate publicly for preserving public ownership of Utah Lake. Her compelling editorial in The Salt Lake Tribune highlighted the importance of the public trust doctrine.Recently, Brittany was recognized and received an Earth Steward Award from the Utah Valley Earth Forum at BYU's Green Week. In her

By Emily MadsenIf you step into Professor Kristin Gerdy Kyle’s office, you’ll notice something you don’t see in many law schools: a couch lined with stuffed animals. They’re there for students who need to sit, breathe, cry, or simply hold something while navigating one of the most demanding seasons of their lives. That small detail captures much of who Professor Gerdy Kyle is and why her influence

At BYU Law, the journey to a JD has led many students to something just as meaningful, lasting relationships. Between long hours in the library, late-night study sessions, and shared experiences in the classroom, connections are formed that often extend far beyond graduation. For some, those connections become the foundation of a lifetime together.Kara (‘99) and Seth Beal (‘99) actually married on

Written by Spencer SchlagIf you are wondering how to pronounce the name of Amaris Leiataua correctly, she will provide you with the method used by her high school choir teacher: “it’s pronounced like Glamorous minus the Gl-” or you can call her “Glamorous Amaris.” Though the circumstances surrounding Amaris in her youth were anything but glamorous, she persevered and charted a path of selfless ser

Written by Jane SalgadoThroughout his time in law school, in his professional career, and now as a member of the BYU Alumni Board and the Events Chair of the Dallas Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS), Andrew Bean (‘15) strives to surround himself with people who “uplift and drive you to be good and to excel.” Personal connection remains a key focus of his career and service as he w

Written by Kelsey WarnerThanks to the incredible generosity of our students, friends, and alumni, BYU Law topped the Giving Cougsday university leaderboard for the second consecutive year! We surpassed our goal of 400 donors, reaching a total of 457, and raised $77,407 during the campus-wide giving event on October 21–22, 2025.Participation across the Law School community was outstanding. Our Givi

Written by Jane SalgadoAmid homecoming and sesquicentennial events at BYU, Neil (‘90) and Denise (‘88) Lindberg addressed students and faculty on October 16 as honored alumni lecturers. Their address, “Preparing for the Unexpected,” highlighted their unconventional paths to law school and how they balanced demanding legal careers with family and faith.Denise Lindberg advised attendees that “While

Written by Jane SalgadoThis summer was full of opportunities for the BYU Law community to gather, reconnect, and strengthen the mission of the Law School. From raising scholarship funds on the golf course to welcoming the newest class of students, honoring our founders, and celebrating milestone reunions, we are grateful for everyone who was able to come and attend these wonderful events!BYU Law A

All BYU Law Alumni are Invited to Mentor a New 1LRemember your first year of law school? Maybe you felt excitement along with pressure, confusion, and that nagging, deep-seated fear that everyone else had it all figured out. Here’s your invitation to be a supportive voice to a new BYU Law student as they navigate the rigors of 1L year.Four members of the BYU Law community, Alumni mentors Rod Andre

Written by Emily Madsen“Start with generous assumptions,” encourages Jay Redd, BYU Law alum and Class President for the Class of 2007. “People sometimes make not-so-generous assumptions, and it ruins their day, and sometimes it could just be something that you made up in your head,” Redd shares. “I think that if we all simply come from a point of making generous assumptions about others, that’s be

Written by Mike MiddletonJohn and Stephanie Sorensen (Laguna Niguel, CA) met with law school students at a lunch they sponsored on February 3 in the Student Commons, which is named for the couple. John’s inspiring remarks helped students recognize how their testimonies can and should shape and guide their professional careers.Referring to his own, well-worn copies of “The Lord’s Way” and “The Powe

Written by Kayla Muh Amy Smedley (‘01) was only a seventh grader when she set her mind on going to law school. The historic appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed her aspiration to study law, showing her what was possible for women in the legal industry. Today, Amy is proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. As a wife, mother,

On Friday, January 31, 2025, the BYU Law Alumni Board gathered for its Annual Board Retreat, and the opportunity to reflect on past achievements, welcome new leadership, and set goals for the year ahead. The Board emphasized the importance of building stronger connections within the alumni network and ways to provide valuable resources to Alumni, Current Students, and the Law School.A central them

By Jon Madsen ('04), Alumni Board PresidentWith last year’s launch of the BYU Law Alumni Directory, BYU Law Alumni are now better equipped to support and network with each other in a manner never before available.While it’s rare for me to give someone directions these days, when I do, my kids think it’s funny.  I’m all about landmarks: ‘Turn at the blue barn’, ‘It’s two streets past the water towe

Written by Spencer Schlag“Your time at BYU does not end when you graduate,” Christopher said. “BYU graduates are always presented with opportunities to donate time, money, and resources as they move forward.”If you asked a typical law student to describe a torts class, probably the last word that would come to mind would be “romantic.” But, for Christopher and Emely Melling (‘22 and ‘20), this was

The 2024 BYU Law Alumni Development Summit brought together more than 40 alumni, students, and faculty for two days of collaboration, inspiration, and meaningful discussions about the future of BYU Law School. This year’s summit highlighted the school’s growing impact, its commitment to fostering inclusion, and its efforts to prepare students to thrive in and contribute to the global legal landsca

Written by Asia Reid “If you can define your all by defining what’s truly important to you, then you can have it all.” On October 16th, Jill Marchant (‘90), the Chief Legal Officer for Hallmark, spoke to BYU Law alumni and students about her unique framework for achieving success in both personal and professional spheres. Organized by the BYU Law Alumni Women’s Affinity Group, the event provided M

Written by Kayla MuhThe BYU Law Alumni Chapter Belonging & Inclusion Committee hosted a panel this month for BYU Law students and alumni, entitled “Navigating Belonging in an Anti-DEI Climate: Career Development, Hiring, and Inclusion in the Legal Industry.”Panelists included Richard Salgado (‘06), Partner at McDermott Will & Emery, Erin Goodsell (‘07), Chief Legal Officer at Weave, and Jay Redd (

Written by Spencer SchlagWilford Andersen (‘76) was honored as BYU Law’s 2024 Honored Alumni and gave a talk entitled “The Nuance of Knowing” as part of BYU’s Homecoming on October 14. Since attending BYU Law, Elder Andersen has worked as in-house counsel for Bank of America and as the managing partner of Andersen Investments. He later served with his wife as mission leaders in the Mexico Guadalaj