For Audrey Ganley, a member of the Catholic Law Class of 2026, law school was never just about earning a degree. It was about building the skills to serve others well. Reflecting on what first drew her to the law, Ganley says, “I have always been called to public service and during my undergraduate career, I found myself wanting to be more capable of successfully advocating for and serving those in need.” For her, law school became the next clear step in that mission. “I wanted the skillset and competence to make a difference for the community and individuals of the community. Applying to law school was the logical step in my pursuit of vocation.”
Ganley’s decision to attend Catholic Law grew out of both trusted guidance and a sense of fit. “I applied to Catholic Law at the advice of my undergraduate mentor,” she says. Coming from Mount Saint Mary’s University, she was looking for a school that offered more than a strong legal education. She found herself “drawn to a school with a small yet very strong sense of community,” a quality that would shape her experience throughout law school.
At Catholic Law, Ganley embraced a wide range of hands-on opportunities that helped her grow as an advocate and future attorney. She points to her time in the Prosecution Clinic at the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office as especially formative. Serving as a Rule 19 Attorney in the Juvenile Division, she was deeply involved in the work of the office. “I worked in their Juvenile Division — appearing in court, drafting petitions, reviewing evidence, and working with law enforcement,” she says. That experience gave her direct exposure to courtroom practice and clarified her long-term goals. “My experience at the Prosecution Clinic solidified my passion in criminal prosecution.”
Her growth at Catholic Law also extended beyond the clinic. Ganley was a Competing Member of the Moot Court Association and later served as its Chancellor. Through that work, she says, “I learned indispensable skills in oral advocacy and brief writing,” and she and her teammates advanced to the Quarter Finals at the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. She also took part in the Law and Public Policy Certificate Program, where she worked with practicum professors on a policy issue she cared deeply about. “We began with research and writing initial proposals and ended the semester with mock Congressional hearings,” she says, describing an experience that broadened her understanding of the law’s role in public life.
When asked about the highlights of her time at Catholic Law, Ganley returns to the practical experiences that brought classroom learning into real settings. “My clinic experience was outstanding,” she says. “It was a fantastic opportunity to be in the courtroom and before a Judge, and I was fortunate to have incredible mentors who taught me so much.” She strongly encourages other students to take advantage of similar opportunities, adding, “I would strongly encourage anyone to participate in a clinic at Catholic Law.”
Another major moment came during the summer after her second year, when she clerked for the Honorable Richard Sandy in the Frederick County Circuit Court. That role gave her even more time in court and showed her how legal training comes alive in daily practice. “It was an invaluable experience — I was in court nearly every day and able to take the skills I had learned through my coursework at Catholic Law and implement them in the real world,” she says. Looking back, she adds, “I am incredibly grateful for all of the opportunity I have had during my time at Catholic Law.”
That gratitude now carries into the next chapter of her career. After graduation, Ganley plans to return to her hometown in Maryland to clerk for the Honorable Julia Martz-Fisher. “I am eager to return to the Courthouse and get back into the courtroom on a daily basis,” she says. And beyond that clerkship, her goals are clear: “Following my clerkship, I hope to begin a career in criminal prosecution.”
For Ganley, Catholic Law’s defining strength is the people who make up its community. “Crucial to your academic and professional success is the support and guidance of those around you,” she says. “The community at Catholic Law embodies this.” Surrounded by classmates and faculty who encouraged her while pushing her to grow, she found the kind of environment that helped sharpen both her purpose and her professional path. As she prepares for graduation and the work ahead, Ganley’s story is one of service, steady growth, and a clear commitment to making a difference.