Charlotte, N.C. (PRWEB) August 30, 2011
Chris Peace edged closer to his 40th birthday and resigned to the fact that his time to pursue a career in law may have come and gone. A summa cum laude graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Peace had scored well on the law school entrance exam (LSAT) and received enticing offers to attend law school following his 1999 graduation but soon realized his heart was pulling him in other directions. He was a new father to a growing family that needed his attention more than anything else; enrolling at Charlotte School of Law has provided Peace with the balance needed to finally pursue his dream.
This was not the first time Peace had ventured off the beaten path. Before studying at UNC Charlotte, he walked away from his previous undergraduate studies to pursue a career as a musician with the band Sugarsmack.
I thought, Im 21, and Ive always wanted to do this. Its now or never, Peace recalls. We didnt quite achieve the mainstream, major-label success that some people dream about, but we saw the country, met a lot of great folks, and made some really interesting music that definitely had an impact.
Moderate success and accolades followed Peace through six years of touring and recording, including a Best All Around Local Musician critics award from Creative Loafing, the popular alternative Charlotte newspaper.
But family responsibilities and deepening roots in Charlotte kept Peace in North Carolina for good, as did an opportunity to manage his wife Julies retail brainchilda high-end Charlotte-area childrens specialty store, Looby Loo.
I was hooked I definitely caught the retail bug, Peace said.
The store had a loyal following among residents, many of whom were attracted by the stores unique selection of European wooden toys and fun, fashionable apparel–then a unique niche fueled in part by a booming economy.
But then fate entered Peaces life once again. It was the combination of the great recession coupled with a happenstance encounter with future Fourth Circuit Judge Albert Diaz in 2008 that returned Peaces mind to his prior interest in law. He was chaperoning his daughters third-grade field trip to the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, which landed him in a bench trial conducted by Judge Diaz in the North Carolina Business Court.
This is still really fascinating to me, Peace recalls thinking. Maybe I can still make it to law school after all.
Peace didnt have to look nearly as far this time for a law school to attend, and his family, which by now had grown to three children, wouldnt have to leave their home so he could follow his rediscovered dream. Peace visited Charlotte School of Law and knew what would come next.
I was impressed by the facility and the energy of students and faculty, Peace said. I had visited several top schools before, and the instruction I saw at Charlotte School of Law was comparable to any of the other top-tier schools yet enhanced by a focus on student readiness that the others just didnt have. I also liked the idea of helping build an institution, and the folks at CharlotteLaw seemed very open to student input.
Peace retook the LSAT and enrolled in the fall semester of 2009, and as he learns so too does his family.
The kids are learning that education and personal growth dont have to end when youre an adult, he said. And if they complain about homework, I can always ask them if they would rather read about partnership law or constitutional strict scrutiny.
Since enrolling at CharlotteLaw, Peace has to exercise his growing legal skills through internships with U.S. District Court Judge Frank D. Whitney, the legal department of Duke Energy Corp., and, most recently, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
Juggling family life and full-time schooling have been a challenge but not without reward. Peace still performs his music, in worship at Providence Presbyterian Church and at local music venues with childhood guitar teacher and good friend Bill Noonan. He plans to graduate in December 2011, one semester ahead of schedule, and sit for the bar in February 2012. From there, the skys the limit.
One of the most appealing features of the law is its incredibly broad range of application, Peace said. Rather than narrowing my focus, each experience I have and each class I take is actually broadening my interests. My sole concern is making the highest and best use of my skills and talents.
About Charlotte School of Law
Charlotte School of Law, fully accredited by the American Bar Association, offers a student-centered education that includes a rigorous academic program and the practice-based, hands-on learning necessary to equip graduates with the leadership, management and interpersonal skills needed for career success. As the only law school in North Carolinas most populous city, Charlotte School of Law offers full-time and part-time day programs as well as an evening part-time program for working professionals. On the Web at http://www.charlottelaw.edu.
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