2022 Graduate Stories

JD/MBA Graduate To Pursue Corporate and Finance Law Degree in Scotland

By Melanie Thibeault
A headshot of Amanda Kirkland

Amanda Kirkland JD/MBA ’22 will sit for the New York State Bar Exam in July, then pursue a master’s of law in corporate and finance law at the University of Glasgow in Scotland in September. Kirkland’s career goal is to work for a consulting law firm that works with larger international businesses on mergers, acquisitions, and anti-trust issues, she said.   

Joint Degree Combines Passions: “I came to Roger in 2019 and started my Law degree. Toward the end of 1L year, I knew I was interested in contracts and wanted to continue doing business law. To be more competitive, I applied and joined the JD/MBA program at Roger. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s allowed me to really understand the material beyond the legal side. It’s given me a really good foundation to keep moving forward in the two disciplines.” 

Involvement Builds Resume: “This past year I have been president of the Graduate Student Association. It’s an association of all the different grad schools. At the beginning, I helped draft bylaws and the constitution, which was very legal-esque writing. Being able to say you were part of helping build something and continue it, it’s definitely something that will help with my career.”  

Externship and Travel Opportunities: “The Law School prepared me for my future. I was able to do a corporate council externship for a semester for Sensata Technologies in Attleboro, Mass. The school also offered business startup clinics. In April, I traveled with the MBA program to Athens, Greece and did startup business consulting. (As someone interested in international law), getting to travel with them was a great experience.”  

Kirkland, a veteran of the U.S. Army, is from Kearney, Nebraska. 


Every May, as Commencement nears, RWU spotlights members of the graduating class. Suggestions are welcome. Email: stories@rwu.edu

2022 Graduate Stories