Lessons in Law, Life, and Love: Christopher and Emely Melling (‘22 and ‘20)
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 not the case. Now, husband and wife, the two met in Professor Justin Collings' torts class at BYU Law. After meeting in class, they found out that they lived in the same apartment complex, and then, that they were part of the same young single adult ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rest, as they say, is history. Despite coming from radically different backgrounds and two different countries, Emely and Christopher both felt a similar calling to service that brought them to the J. Reuben Clark Law School at the same time.
Emely, a native of Honduras, found in her early studies that she had an affinity for the law. She received her Bachelor of Laws in Honduras and then completed a Master of Election Law in Mexico. After that, Emely returned home to Honduras where she was elected to the La Ceiba City Council. Emely describes this position as “the highest honor of her professional and public life” and credits her experience in politics for laying the foundations for her future academic and professional career.
Her service as a city councilwoman proved critical in preparing Emely to be accepted to BYU Law, where she completed her L.L.M. degree and met Christopher. The generous fellowship she received as an international student that allowed her to attend BYU Law School included free housing at the very apartment complex where her future spouse was living. Christopher, like Emely, had a unique path to BYU Law. While serving in the United States military for eight years as a Marine Corps pilot, Christopher felt a calling to do something more. While exploring what that something might be, he met Stacie Stewart (‘14), then-Dean of Admissions at BYU Law, at a career fair and was convinced that he had to see the Law School and BYU Campus for himself. This visit was enough to convince Christopher that BYU Law was the place for him. A major factor in his decision was that BYU Law offers a “full experience” that, according to Christopher, is a multi-faceted legal education “about more than just the law.”
The wonderful experiences that both Christopher and Emely had at BYU would propel them to do great things in their respective academic lives and careers. As Emely aptly puts it, her time at BYU was a “springboard to success.” Christopher is currently serving and protecting our country as a Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Marine Corps, while Emely is an advanced-standing Juris Doctor candidate at the Seattle University School of Law.
Crediting BYU Law for much of their success, Emely and Christopher reflected upon the crucial lessons they learned during their time attending the Law School together Emely gained a new perspective about “the positive role of Christian and all religious lawyers everywhere.” Along with this, she internalized the importance of being grateful and giving back. In part, this gratitude stems from the way the fellowship Emely received from generous BYU Law donors has shaped her personal and professional life.
Like Emely, Christopher left BYU Law with several important and life-long lessons. He said, “My advice for current law students is to think of the lawyer you want to be and be that person now.” Agreeing with the popular adage that you will “play like you practice,” Christopher encourages current students to adopt high personal standards, develop discipline, and cultivate powerful professional traits while they are still in law school, rather than assuming that completing their JD will somehow change their habits, relationships, and personality.
The couple also recognizes and prioritizes the importance of giving back. “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.” The Mellings practice what they preach, selflessly volunteering their time and talents in many ways, including their work with the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Emely serves as the JRCLS Area Chair for Central America, while Christopher is a member of the Communications Committee. Together they have committed to fund a BYU Law scholarship to help future LLM students from Honduras and nearby countries.
Unmarried BYU Law students are not guaranteed that they will find their spouses at the Law (although time has proven that it’s entirely possible!). With or without wedding bells, there are many, many options and insights to be gained while earning a law degree at BYU. BYU Law’s holistic approach not only provides students with opportunities to learn about both temporal and spiritual truths but also to see the connections and the harmony between them. As the Mellings can attest, generous donors of time, money, and talents make it possible for every kind of person – from a Marine pilot to a Honduran city councilwoman – to receive an education for eternity at BYU Law.