Name: Colton Loy Richardson
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Law School: University of Tulsa College of Law
Graduation Year: Fall 2018
Field of Law: Litigation Criminal & Civil
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Undergrad Major: Entrepreneurship & Venture Management
Undergrad Minor: Psychology & Pre-Law
Undergrad Graduation Date: Spring 2016

1. What are your short-term and long-term goals, professionally & personally?
Professionally, an obvious short-term goal would be to graduate in Fall 2018 and pass the bar. After that, I have not decided what a next step would be, although I am considering working for the Public Defender’s Office or the District Attorney’s Office. A long-term goal would be to counsel clients in their lives, because going through a lawsuit can be one of the most difficult times of someone’s life. One of my personal goals is to learn how to work with people even better, because the ability to manage people is one of the most important skills needed in life.

2. What made you decide to attend law school?
My father and grandfather are both lawyers. I have always enjoyed their stories, their leadership, and their influence on many others. Even though it may have been difficult to point me in a different direction, they counseled and encouraged me to explore options and do what I enjoy or am good at.

3. Are there any laws or social rules that completely baffle you?
I believe families are the foundation of a healthy society and nation. Because of that, some divorce law baffles me. No-fault divorce causes all kinds of problems for children, that comes out even more throughout the children’s lives.

4. What historical figure inspires you and why?
Solomon, King of Israel, is a historical figure that inspires me. Solomon was a man who had it all; he had wisdom, power, fame, money, women, and anything else he wanted. If he did not have it, he could easily get it. Even after seeing and having everything under the sun, he believes that it is all meaningless like a chasing after the wind. I believe we can learn from him. We can never have enough, and this takes self-control and discipline to understand and restrain ourselves. What truly matters is influencing other people and leading them towards life.

5. What is the most important thing you have learned in law school or undergrad?
The most important thing I have learned was working as an extern after my first year of law school with a Federal Judge. In this position, I drafted orders for the Clerks’ and Judge’s review. Sometimes, we as humans try to make things sound sophisticated because, well, we are lawyers. However, I have learned that the best writing is simple and concise. Just using common sense and being clear often works the best, especially in arguments, because if someone does not even understand the words your using, then it is impossible for you to influence.