S P E C I A L F E A T U R E M i k e H o o k e r – P h e l p s D u n b a r L L P
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Q : You obviously have a very impressive academic record . You were valedictorian at Lakeland Christian School ; you graduated summa cum laude from Covenant College in Georgia , and then graduated summa cum laude and at the top of your class at the University of Florida ’ s College of Law . What motivated you to achieve such academic success ?
A : I never had a desire to simply achieve “ success .” Rather , I felt like I had a responsibility to do my absolute best in everything — whether it ’ s sports or academics , or now , law . I believe that if you ’ ve been given a lot of opportunities and talents , you have a responsibility to use them well . I believe everyone should pursue excellence in whatever you ’ re doing , including academics while you are in school .
Q : Interestingly , I understand that you didn ’ t originally plan on becoming a lawyer , which is maybe somewhat surprising given your status now . What inspired you to become a lawyer ?
A : I wasn ’ t one of those kids that grew up debating everything , which sometimes causes your parents to tell
you you ’ re going to be a great lawyer . In fact , I preferred math and science because there were clear right and wrong answers , unlike English literature or art , which seemed more subjective . When I went to college , I intended to become a medical doctor , so I took biology and chemistry courses . I enjoyed those subjects , but soon realized that being a doctor wasn ’ t where I would enjoy spending my time . So I started taking some philosophy classes , and thrived in that area . I liked the analytical thinking it required — it was rigorous , and logic dictated the answers . I then interned in Washington , D . C ., and worked for a small nonprofit called Shared Hope International . They educate social service providers and law enforcement about sex trafficking ( how to detect it , help the victims trapped in it , etc .). Everyone I encountered in that field had a law degree . I thought that fighting against sex trafficking was something I could be very passionate about . So in the end , I decided to go to law school because I enjoyed exercising the skills necessary to be an effective lawyer and I had an interest in a particular area of law .
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