Why Cynthia Rodgers Chose Capital

3/7/2018  - Cynthia Rodgers, L’19, chose Capital University Law School after graduating from its nationally-recognized paralegal program. She says that the flexibility offered by Capital’s part-time evening program, as well as a competitive financial aid package, made Capital an easy choice. But her path to becoming a lawyer was neither easy, nor short.

“I always wanted to further my education,” she explained, “but never thought that law school would be a possibility. In part, this is because my graduate education was interrupted by two serious accidents.”

After resuming her studies at Ohio University, Cynthia was encouraged to attend law school by one of her philosophy professors. This message was reinforced by several attorney acquaintances, so Cynthia decided to give the Capital University Law School paralegal program a try.

Once she graduated in 2014, Cynthia began working as a paralegal for the Miller Law Offices in Columbus, Ohio. While working at the law firm, Cynthia realized how much she enjoyed the law. But she was also troubled when she encountered a number of deserving clients who struggled to make fee payments.

So Cynthia applied to law school and, in 2015, began attending evening classes at Capital. Now she is considering opening her own small firm that would utilize a sliding fee scale to make legal services more affordable. “There are so many people in small towns who desperately need legal help, but cannot afford to hire an attorney,” says Cynthia. “I would like to help address that need.”

As Cynthia nears graduation, she has left off working as a paralegal in order to acquire practical experience preparing to be an attorney. She particularly enjoyed her recent judicial externship with Licking County Municipal Court Judge Michael F. Higgins.

She also has begun working as a law clerk for Operation Legal Help Ohio to assist military veterans. "The opportunity to help veterans has given me a deeper appreciation of the extent of the services they have rendered to the rest of us,” she said.

Cynthia, who originally hails from Akron, Ohio, has come to love her adopted hometown of Dresden, Ohio, and hopes to practice there one day. She cites the town’s interesting mix of people, as well as its natural beauty from season to season, as two of her favorite parts about living in Dresden. 

For additional "My Decision" articles, see Why I Chose Capital.