Jerome Okolo, Creighton University Law School, Graduate

Being an immigrant from Nigeria, my choice to attend law school in Nebraska was made after a reasonable amount of research and personal soul searching. Although Omaha, Nebraska was the first place I ever lived in the United States, after getting an MBA degree from the university of Nebraska at Omaha, I moved on to jobs in Atlanta, Kansas, and Missouri. These places all had larger economies than Omaha, larger immigrant populations, and relatively more entertainment options than Omaha. My choice to move back to Omaha for law school and to develop a law career was therefore, not one commonly made by people in my position.

So far, I have never regretted that choice. Omaha, Nebraska has certain characteristics that make it particularly appealing to a young lawyer who wants to make an impact in his or her immediate legal community. Nebraska has only two law schools (Creighton University and the University of Nebraska law schools). These schools generally graduate a moderate number of lawyers every year. Since a good number of these lawyers leave Nebraska to practice in other states, the Nebraska bar is one of the least overcrowded bars in the country. This means that there are more opportunities for a new lawyer to be heard and/or seen, and thereby contribute to the immediate legal community.

This is also a very good time for a new lawyer to grow with Omaha's expanding economy. Recent developments (the new convention center, downtown and midtown development projects etc.) show that Omaha is in the early stages of a growth phase. This is a good time for any professional to harness the opportunities presented by this growth to expand and grow their business. Nebraska's unique size (not too small, not too large) makes it easier for new lawyers to participate and ensure that their views on the direction that Nebraska's development is taking are heard.

Going to law school and eventually practicing law in Nebraska is a great fit for individuals who want to be involved in their immediate society. For a minority, there is an even bigger opportunity to positively influence the society's perception and understanding of the minority viewpoint. For me, the decision to attend law school and eventually practice law here was one well taken.