Long before she ever stepped into a law school classroom, Jasmine Rountree knew she wanted to become a lawyer. “I’ve always wanted to go to law school since I was little,” said Rountree, a member of Catholic Law’s Class of 2026. At first, that dream was sparked by a memorable movie moment. “Initially, the reason I wanted to go to law school was because of my favorite movie, A Time to Kill. There’s a scene at the end where Matthew McConaughey’s character is giving his closing statement. It’s such a powerful and emotional scene. I was like, ‘I want to do that!’”
But over time, that early inspiration deepened into a clear sense of purpose. “More seriously, I grew up witnessing the ways systems can fail people who look like me, including in my own family,” she said. “I understood early that access to legal knowledge and representation is not equally distributed. Law school was my path toward becoming part of a solution.” For Rountree, the decision to pursue a legal education was also rooted in the importance of visibility and advocacy. “Representation matters,” she said. “Communities that have historically been locked out of the legal profession deserve advocates who not only understand their rights, but understand their reality.”
When it came time to choose a law school, Catholic Law quickly rose to the top of her list. As a working professional, Rountree knew exactly what she needed in a program. “I sought out programs that had established evening programs and that had smaller classroom sizes,” she said. “Catholic was at the top of my list for these two primary reasons.” A visit to campus helped confirm her decision. “After a visit and speaking with current evening students, I knew Catholic was the right choice.”
At Catholic Law, Rountree built the kind of practical experience that prepares students to lead with confidence. She participated in the Religious Liberty Clinic, where she worked on meaningful litigation support. “There, I helped with filing an amicus brief for a coalition of religious organizations in a Title VII employment discrimination case in a federal district court,” she said. She also competed as a member of the mock trial team, an experience that sharpened a wide range of courtroom and advocacy skills. “I enjoyed getting practical courtroom experience,” Rountree said. “I was able to practice being more comfortable with public speaking under pressure, case preparation, legal reasoning, and collaboration.”
Some of her most meaningful memories, however, came through community. Rountree points to her time in the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) as one of the defining parts of her law school experience. “My time as a member of BLSA were highlights for me,” she said, especially the organization’s service work. One of her favorite initiatives was BLSA’s partnership with the Salvation Army for its Adopt-A-Family program. “We collected donations and provided Christmas gifts to underprivileged children throughout DC,” she said. The effort reflected the spirit of service that has shaped her time at Catholic Law.
Rountree also found purpose in mentoring students who were just beginning their own legal education. “Another highlight was being able to speak to incoming 1Ls,” she said. She remembers clearly what it felt like to be in their position. “I remember being an incoming 1L and having no idea what I was getting myself into. I know how helpful it was for me to hear from students who have gone down the path I was about to.”
As someone balancing law school with a full-time career, she has been able to offer perspective and encouragement that resonates with newer students. “I enjoy paying it forward and speaking to 1Ls about my experience as not only a law student, but a student balancing a full-time career,” she said. “It’s heartwarming to run into 1Ls toward the end of their first year and they tell me how helpful something I said to them was.”
After graduation, Rountree will take the next step in a career already grounded in service and advocacy. “I’ll be joining the DOJ as an Honors Attorney,” she said. And after the demands of graduation and licensure, she has one immediate goal in mind as well: “I also plan to sleep a lot, after the bar exam of course.”
Looking back, Rountree says Catholic Law stands out for the sense of connection she found here as an evening student fully engaged in the life of the law school. “At Catholic, I was able to be an evening student and still be involved in the larger law school community,” she said. That support came from faculty, staff, and graduates alike. “All my professors and staff were eager to see and help me succeed. Our alumni network is amazing. I’ve met many Catholic alumni over the years and they’ve all been willing to provide whatever assistance they could whether it be mentorship or just a listening ear.”
For Rountree, that personal investment made all the difference. “At Catholic, I didn’t feel like just another number,” she said. “I felt seen and heard.” It is a feeling that has stayed with her throughout law school and one she hopes to carry forward into the profession. “I’m honored to have attended this law school and can’t wait to give back as an alum.”