“A copy of the constitution,” said Naomi Franklin, third-year student at KU Law School. “It reminds me why I went to law school. When I get sworn into the bar, I will take an oath to ‘support the Constitution of the United States,’ which protects the liberty and sovereignty of ‘we the people.’ Those words are inspiring because they remind me that our government is by and for the people.”

If there is a typical trajectory to Green Hall, Franklin didn’t take it. When COVID-19 paused her bourgeoning career as a flutist, Franklin reconsidered her career path. It was in E.S. & Tom W. Hampton Distinguished Professor of Law Stephen McAllister’s first-year constitutional law class that things really clicked for Franklin.

“He has a great way of challenging us to think more critically about cases and their ramifications,” Franklin said. “His class inspired me to go further into constitutional law, and the experience has been transformative to my career path.”

Franklin has maximized her experience, having served as comment editor for the Kansas Law Review, president of the KU Federalist Society and a judicial extern to Judge Holly Teeter on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

“I know the skills I developed as a musician have benefitted me in law school,” Franklin said. “Discipline and attention to detail are essential in music, and they are equally important when studying law. I was nervous my background wouldn’t properly prepare me for this adventure, but I’m proud of how well I’ve done.”

As Franklin prepares to spend two years clerking on the federal courts of appeals after graduation, she is grateful for the generosity of others.

“I would not have been able to attend KU Law School if not for scholarships,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful to those who have helped me thus far and hope my work in the future can begin to pay them back.”