How does having a Philosophy PhD from Brown shape my work as a lawyer?
One of the most frequent and intriguing questions I receive from clients, colleagues, and even judges is: “Does having a PhD in philosophy from Brown University really help you in your legal work?” The answer is a definite yes, and I’d like to share why that background makes a real difference—for me, and for those I represent.
From Abstract Theory to Real-World Advocacy
For me, the original plan was to become a lawyer. From early days at Eisenhower Middle School here in Albuquerque, I remember feeling reverence for our rights as contained in the US Constitution and wanted to fight for those rights by standing up for people who could be run over by callous and greedy bullies and power brokers. But at college I became fascinated by the abstract and deep questions that ground ideas like freedom, rights, and responsibility. I spent years immersed in the study of philosophy, culminating in a dissertation titled “Understanding Actions.” That journey at Brown was academically rewarding; indeed, it was enlightening as I spent my time with great thinkers pondering complex and abstruse questions. But as I was finishing my degree, I felt a growing need to get back to that practical application and defense of those ideas for my fellow people. I realized that what drove me was more than abstract theorizing—I wanted my skills to have a concrete impact, to help real people with real problems back home in New Mexico. When I transitioned from philosophy into law, I brought with me a deep commitment to analytical rigor and ethical clarity, powered by years of critical study and debate.
Practical Benefits in the Courtroom
On a day-to-day basis, the skills developed during my philosophical training are anything but merely theoretical. Here’s how they come into play:
- Analytical Depth: My background in logic allows me to dissect and challenge even the most complex arguments, identifying hidden fallacies or leaps in reasoning, whether from prosecutors, expert witnesses, or corporate lawyers.
- Understanding Agency: My studies in the philosophy of mind, free will, and agency give me powerful insight into issues of intent and state of mind—crucial especially when I fight to defend against criminal charges or to protect your civil rights.
- Ethical Judgment: Philosophy trained me to unravel difficult moral choices, evaluate trade-offs, and seek out justice, not just procedural wins.
- Communication & Persuasion: Years of articulating nuanced philosophical concepts honed my ability to explain complex legal ideas clearly—whether to a jury, judge, or client.
A Personal Commitment to Justice
Philosophy didn’t just give me tools—it gave me a perspective. I see each client not as a case, but as a person with a story, facing the daunting machinery of the justice system. My education taught me to respect the dignity of every individual and to fight relentlessly for fairness and justice, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Bringing It Home to New Mexico
Returning to Albuquerque was a homecoming for me. My goal has always been to blend the analytical power of philosophical training with the practical realities of New Mexico’s courts—giving my clients an advocate who sees the big picture, pays attention to detail, and never backs down from a fight for what’s right.
So when I’m asked if my time in philosophy helps in law, I answer without hesitation: it’s part of what makes me the lawyer I am, and it’s something every client benefits from—every single day.
