Summer Forehand

Why FSU?

Being born and raised in Tallahassee, FSU has always felt like home, and after earning my undergraduate degree here, I couldn't imagine continuing my education anywhere else. Getting to pursue a dream I've had since I was little at the university I've grown up around has made the experience even more special.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

When I was in second grade, I was already telling people I wanted to be a Supreme Court justice. Once I learned that meant I had to become a lawyer first, I figured law school was part of the plan, and I never really looked back.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

As a second-year law student, I've become especially interested in the intersection of law, government, and public policy. Through the Florida Legislative Fellowship, I'm currently working in the Florida House of Representatives' Majority Office, where I get to see firsthand how the legislative process works and how decisions made at the Capitol affect people across the state. Between my time interning in the U.S. Senate and now working in the Florida Legislature, I've had the opportunity to experience government at both the federal and state levels. I think there's something really valuable about getting to connect what I'm learning in law school to the work happening just a few blocks away at the Capitol.

Who has been influential in your graduate career?

I think my experiences working in government and the legal field have been some of the biggest influences on my journey. Getting to see how the law works outside of a classroom, especially through my time in the U.S. Senate and now the Florida Legislature, has given me a much better understanding of why I wanted to pursue this career in the first place. Those experiences have made law school feel like more than just earning a degree and have helped me figure out what I want to do with it.

Career aspirations

I hope to build a career that allows me to combine my interests in law, government, and public service. While I'm still figuring out exactly what that will look like, I know I want to do work that challenges me, allows me to keep learning, and gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

I would tell anyone considering graduate school to go for it, but also to make the most of the experience once you're there. Some of my favorite parts of law school have come from getting involved, meeting people, and saying yes to opportunities I might not have otherwise considered. The classes are important, but there's so much more to gain from graduate school than just what you learn in the classroom.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I'm really proud of earning a spot on FSU Law Review, serving as Secretary of the Student Bar Association, and being selected for the Florida Legislative Fellowship. Being selected for the fellowship has been especially meaningful because it's given me the opportunity to combine my interests in law and government while gaining experience that I wouldn't have been able to get in a classroom. I'm also proud of how involved I've been able to get at FSU Law and the relationships I've built along the way.

Florida Legislative Fellowship (2026-2027)

Organizations you are part of at FSU

FSU College of Law Student Bar Association — Secretary (2026–2027)

Florida State University Law Review — Staff Editor Florida Legislative Fellows Program

Legislative Fellow FSU College of Law Academic Support Program — Academic Support Fellow

FSU College of Law Peer Mentor Program — Peer Mentor

FSU College of Law Student Ambassadors Stafford Inn of Court — Member

FSU College of Law Federalist Society — Member

Hobbies outside academics

I love going to FSU sporting events, especially football, basketball, softball, and baseball games. I’m always looking for an excuse to cheer on the Noles!