A Dedicated Leader in Career Development and Externships
Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County, is home to many dedicated staff members who go above and beyond to ensure student success. Among them is Deirdre Kelly, the Assistant Dean for Career Development and the Civil and Judicial Externship Director. With a legal career spanning over three decades, Deirdre has transitioned from practicing law to mentoring and guiding future attorneys.
“I practiced law for 18 years, mostly at big law firms, and a couple of years in-house. As I progressed, I found that I really loved mentoring the younger associates,” Deirdre recalls. “At a certain point, I realized I really would like to help people in a different way.” With these realizations and having held several positions at law schools, Deirdre found that a career in academia was her true calling.
Deirdre began her academic career at Whittier Law School, where she taught courses in bar preparation, property law, contracts, wills and trusts, and introductory classes for 1Ls. Her background in private sector litigation made her a perfect fit to oversee Whittier’s externship program, handling civil, judicial, and criminal law externships. She later moved to Chapman University’s career services office, before being invited by then-Dean Easley to lead career services and externships at Western State.
A Leader in the Legal Community
Beyond her position at Western State, Deirdre has had a significant role in the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA). In 2019, she served as President, a prestigious accomplishment that reflected her dedication to the legal profession. “It was a fantastic experience. I initially became more involved with the OCBA while running the externship program at Whittier,” Deirdre explains. “Through the OCBA, I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about different areas of law. It helped me develop contacts for students.”
Her leadership with the OCBA goes beyond her presidency. She has also been involved in the Judiciary Committee, Diversity Committee, and the Law School Task Force, all of which have created legal networking opportunities for law students and young attorneys.
The Importance of Professional Networking for Law Students
One of Deirdre’s strongest pieces of advice to students centers around the importance of networking. “Western State pays for every student to be a member of the OCBA, so they should take advantage of it,” she advises. While joining specific sections entails additional costs, she recommends, “Join sections related to your practice area of interest, attend networking events, and engage with the community. If you don’t know what area of law you want to pursue, joining committees like the Pro Bono Committee can help. You might meet a judge or lawyer who could hire you in the future.”
For students who are nervous about networking, Deirdre recommends bringing a friend to events. However, she cautions against staying in a comfort zone. “Just walk up to someone and introduce yourself. Attorneys love talking to law students. If you attend events regularly, you’ll start recognizing people, and that makes networking less intimidating.”
Externships and Career Development at Western State
Under Deirdre’s leadership, Western State’s Career Development Office and Externship Program provide students with practical experience and professional guidance. “We help students figure out what they want to do, or just as importantly, what they don’t want to do,” she explains. “That includes helping with resumes, cover letters, interview prep, and pointing them in the right direction for externships. We want students to have at least four work experiences before they graduate.”
Through Symplicity, Western State’s job posting board, students can find law clerk, externship, and full-time positions. “We constantly check in with students and alumni to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed,” Deirdre says. She also shared a success story about a recent graduate who reached out for help after being laid off. “We helped them find a new position within a week,” she explained.
The personalized approach of the Career Development Program ensures that every student gets the support they need to successfully transition from law school into the field. The team remains actively engaged with Western State alumni, stressing that career guidance does not end at graduation.
A Passion for Pro Bono and Community Outreach
Having been involved in much community outreach herself, Deirdre is deeply committed to pro bono work and community service. “As officers of the court, when we become lawyers, I think we have a moral duty to help others,” she says.
She also recommends that students get involved in community service work, which is an essential part of what it means to be a lawyer. “Try and get a law clerk position at Legal Aid, Public Law Center, or Veterans Legal Institute. We can help students find those opportunities,” she shared.
Engaging in pro bono work helps underserved communities and allows students to gain important experience in law. Participating in legal aid projects or OCBA’s Pro Bono Committee, of which Deirdre is a member, helps students develop the skills they need to be successful legal professionals while also making a positive impact on people’s lives.
The Western State Difference: A Supportive and Tight-Knit Community
When asked what being part of Western State College of Law means to her, Deirdre had a genuinely heartfelt response. “Western State is truly a family and a community. It’s small, intimate, and incredibly supportive,” she says. “Everyone knows each other, and that creates a nurturing environment that benefits both students and staff.”
Deirdre also boasted about Western State’s deep alumni network. “We have the most judicial officers of any school here in Orange County. We have a deep, successful alumni base that wants to help our students, and that makes me so proud to be a member of the Western State family.” Western State’s tight-knit community fosters an environment where students can thrive, knowing that faculty, staff, and alumni truly care about their success.
Words of Advice for Western State Students
Deirdre has one final piece of advice to Western State students: “Network. And work while you’re in school. Come talk to us. Let us know your wins, and when you need help. We’re here to support you every step of the way.”
With leaders like Deirdre Kelly at the helm of career development and externships, Western State College of Law students have an incredible advocate, mentor, and resource to help them launch their legal careers. Her dedication to student success, professional growth, and community service is an excellent example of the values that make Western State such a fantastic place to study law.