Campus Life

Legal studies student ready for future career

"Surprise, surprise, right in your eyes!," exclaimed Logan McEwen to Kimberly Tatum, University of West Florida assistant professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, when the UWF Mock Trial Team captured the Spirit of the American Mock Trial Association Award at the East Coast Regional Tournament. McEwen, a UWF senior majoring in Legal Studies, was excited and proud to represent his university against some of the top schools in the United States, such as Florida State University, University of Florida, Georgia Tech and Emory University.

“Surprise, surprise, right in your eyes!,” exclaimed Logan McEwen to Kimberly Tatum, University of West Florida assistant professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, when the UWF Mock Trial Team captured the Spirit of the American Mock Trial Association Award at the East Coast Regional Tournament. McEwen, a UWF senior majoring in Legal Studies, was excited and proud to represent his university against some of the top schools in the United States, such as Florida State University, University of Florida, Georgia Tech and Emory University.

“Our team came together and we pulled some big punches at the competition,” said McEwen. “We took on two of the largest schools in Florida and won our cases.”

Wrapping up his first year on the Mock Trial Team, McEwen describes the experience as one of the most memorable of his college career. He credits the Mock Trial Team with helping him prepare for a career in litigation.

“There is no better preparation for any type of career in litigation or for a professional career involved with the court system than mock trial,” said McEwen. “There is this unnoticed world where statutes and opinions dictate what we can do in our society. I chose to study legal studies because I really wanted to learn more about these concepts that shape the freedoms afforded to us.”

McEwen says he chose UWF because it is one of only two universities in Florida offering a Legal Studies major. He says he has enjoyed the course curriculum and small class sizes offered at UWF.

“I don’t think I would have had the personal experience I received at UWF at any other school,” said McEwen. “UWF’s classes are really engaging, and within my program, I have come to know my professors well.”

Two of McEwen’s favorite professors include Patrick Moore, associate professor of History, and Tatum. “Dr. Moore does an amazing job of keeping students engaged; I especially enjoyed his course ‘Cold War and Film,'” said McEwen. “Dr. Tatum is an amazing professor and deserves thanks for all of the successes of the Mock Trial Team.”

McEwen will graduate from UWF in May with his bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. He plans to attend the Florida State University College of Law. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue a career as a prosecutor in the International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands.

Learn more about UWF’s Criminal Justice and Legal Studies programs at uwf.edu/justice. For more information on the UWF Mock Trial Team, contact Tatum at ktatum@uwf.edu.

Written by Jaimie Woodard, University Marketing Communications