Meet Saylor Snowden ‘25L, Research Burks Scholar Being a Burks Scholar is a way for Saylor Snowden to pay it forward for help she received as a first year law student.

By Law Communications
October 17, 2024

Saylor Snowden ‘25L is originally from Dallas, Texas. She went to the University of Virginia for both her undergraduate and master’s degree. One of the reasons she pursued law school was because of a course she took in graduate school titled “The Constitution in the Civil War.”  The class went through the legal issues that occurred with the Constitution during the Civil War and how the legal system changed because of these failures. While taking this class she realized how much she enjoyed the law and began applying to schools immediately.

Why did you choose W&L Law?

I chose W&L Law because of the community I saw when I toured. I applied to W&L because I know I thrive in smaller learning environments, and I appreciated the class size and student to professor ratio W&L had to offer. However, I chose to come to this school because of the incredibly friendly environment and close community that I experienced. People care for each other and support one another here.

Share an experience, class, professor/staff member that has had an impact on your time as a law student.

There is an event called the P.A.D. Auction every year. The professors and staff members auction off events for students, and all the money collected is donated. A group of friends and I won a dinner with Professor Russ Miller. It was incredible to see how invested he was when we went to the dinner. He made sure that he spoke to every student there and learned about our lives. I think we spent three hours at this dinner talking about so many different topics with Professor Miller. It was such an incredible experience.

Why did you choose to be a Research Burks Scholar, and what are some responsibilities you have in this role?

I chose to be a Research Burks because when I was a 1L I had a very close relationship with my Research Burks, and she helped me through so much. I wanted to give back to the incoming class and support those who needed it. Your first year in law school is an intense experience, and I would not have made it if it were not for the upper classmen who encouraged and assisted me. One of my main responsibilities in this role is meeting with 1Ls to answer questions they have. Those questions can range from research questions to food recommendations to advice on how to handle 1L year. I also attend the legal research class with them so I can provide any necessary insight or feedback that Professor Ashley Evans asks about.

What do you enjoy about working with Professor Evans and 1L students?

Professor Evans is amazing and very clearly cares about the 1Ls’ education. She also cares about how they are doing as people—not just students. I have really enjoyed working with 1Ls and getting to know them. There are not many instances in which a 3L interacts with 1Ls during the school day, so it is nice to actually get to know them in the academic environment!

Anything you are looking forward to in your 3L year?

My final season of Law School Flag Football!