When people think of law school, rarely does the idea of love and relationships enter into their minds. The mention of law school elicits thoughts about the rigors of surviving a challenging curriculum and passing the Bar exam. In the midst of the all-nighters, internships, study group, clerkships, Bar prep and the general stress of all things law school, it’s hard to believe that relationships develop and love blooms, but they do. As a tribute to Valentine’s Day, enjoy these four stories from law school alumni who found love at Texas A&M School of Law.
Andrea ’15 and Brett ’16 Adkins
Brett and Andrea met in the summer of 2014 in the TAMU Law lecture hall. Andrea was about to begin her second year of law school, and Brett was starting his first. As fate would have it, Andrea was assigned to be the academic support teaching assistant (TA) for Brett's legal writing class. Initially, both thought the other was cute, but they had law school, the bar exam and dreams of illustrious legal careers to focus on, not dating. However, after a few months and Brett's perfect attendance at the optional TA sessions, the mutual attraction was undeniable. Fast forward to spring 2015, and the weekly TA sessions were ending. One day after a session, Brett asked Andrea if she would like to join his kickball team. Andrea accepted the offer, and the rest is history.
The couple wed on March 14, 2020 and now live in Galveston, Texas. Brett works as a patent attorney at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Andrea is deputy general counsel at U.S. & Texas LawShield.
Ashley ’20 & Cameron ’20 Saenz
Ashley and Cameron met in August 2017 at their 1L orientation. They were in the same Legal Analysis Research and Writing class section and also in the same scavenger hunt group. They became friends very quickly and were “dating” by December 2017. Cameron proposed in December of 2019, and the couple was married on December 4, 2020. Ironically, it was the same day they found out that they had both passed the Bar exam! On their wedding day, they wrote letters to each other, and Cameron gave his to Ashley in an official maroon folder complete with a silver embossed Texas A&M Law logo. They have a picture from their wedding day with the folder. They now live Frisco and work at law firms about a mile apart. Ashley and Cameron don’t practice the same type of law, though. She works in state and federal criminal defense, and he does land use, municipal law and economic development. According to the couple, this diversity keeps their conversations interesting!
Dana ’11 & Andrew ’11 Zachry
Andrew and Dana met during their first few weeks of law school in 2008. They became friends and would see each other often since Andrew worked in the bookstore. It wasn’t until the spring of 2011 that friendship became love, and they were engaged in April of 2012 and married in 2013. Dana serves as president of the law school’s alumni board and was just named partner at Katten Benson Zachry in Fort Worth. Andrew is the specialty asset manager/assistant vice president at Bank of America. The couple has two sons, Declan and Jackson, and are building a new home in Fort Worth.
Aarika Johnson ’20 & McKenzie Coe ’20
Although romantic relationships in law school can prove tumultuous or fleeting, the friendships – particularly those rooted in a shared experience - are often lifelong, and the love is as true as it comes. McKenzie and Aarika met in their 1L Legal Analysis Research and Writing orientation class at the start of the semester.
McKenzie was Aarika’s joy during six finals weeks and a cancelled Bar exam. The two held each other up when the world was down and "rejoiced through countless celebrations. McKenzie was also the maid of honor at Aarika’s wedding in 2019 and supported Aarika through the loss of a pet.
Aarika said, “McKenzie has given me so many irreplaceable memories over the past three years that I would actually consider putting myself through law school all over again if she was crazy enough to do it with me. I hope everyone finds love in law school like we did.”
The two practice law in Fort Worth. Aarika is an associate attorney at Tanner and Associates, practicing labor and employment law. McKenzie is an associate attorney at Seltzer and Dally, practicing family law. Their offices are conveniently just a five-minute drive apart.