Dallas Criminal, Immigration Attorney Rules On Value Of Education
When someone emigrates to the United States, they may not be aware of how the legal system works. Problems can arise and they might not know where to turn, especially if there is a language barrier. John M. Bray is an attorney at Oosterhof & Bray, who practices criminal and immigration law in Dallas. He earned bachelor's degrees in Latin American studies and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from St. Mary's U niversity in San Antonio.
Why did you decide to study law?
"I studied law to develop my interests in immigration and criminal defense. I was always interested in languages and government. Once I realized studying law was at the intersection of this and many other areas of human endeavor, my decision became clear."
What would you tell someone who is considering returning to school to earn a master's degree?
"My recommendation to those considering (but hesitating) returning to school is to test out the waters before jumping in. Law school was neither a cheap nor uncomplicated endeavor. I did this by working for an attorney for a few years in Austin after undergrad. Throughout law school, this served as a constant frame of reference, and, afterwards, it gave me the confidence and practical experience I needed to hit the ground running. This invaluable experience also taught me things a law school education does not: how to manage a business, interact with clients, and where to file documents."
What was the biggest reward for earning the higher degree?
"Earning my law degree has provided numerous and constant rewards. There is no feeling quite like running one's own business, and, for me, a law degree was a 'sine qua non.' My degree enabled me to help actual people on a daily basis. Oftentimes, my work takes me to jails and immigration detention facilities around the country. Although this may seem depressing, I always leave jail feeling uplifted. I love what I do, I wouldn't be happy doing anything else, and, quite simply, pursuing my law degree made that happen."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com