Published on July 2, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
Emory Bradford
Emory Bradford

Samford University alumna Emory Bradford ’23 has been named editor-in-chief of the Civil Rights Law Journal at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Bradford, a graduate of Samford’s Law, Politics and Society (LPS) program, credits her time at Samford with shaping her path to law school and preparing her for the rigorous academic writing required in the legal field.

A family friend first introduced Bradford to Samford, and after touring campus she knew it was the right fit. Her decision to major in law, politics and society stemmed from a desire to immerse herself in law-related course work before deciding to pursue law school. That early exposure, she says, helped set the foundation for her success.

“The LPS program gave me so much experience with academic writing which allowed me to get really involved with the Civil Rights Law Journal,” Bradford said. “I couldn’t have done it without the writing opportunities at Samford.”

Bradford also credits the senior thesis requirement in Samford’s Department of Political Science for equipping her with the research and analytical skills necessary for law school. Now approaching her third and final year of law school, she is an active member of the Moot Court Board and one of the school’s top six oral advocates in the national competition.

“The first year of law school is really just re-learning how to learn,” Bradford said. “It was challenging, but once I figured out what study habits worked best for me, I found success.”

Bradford’s long-term goal is to be a litigator focusing on family law and criminal law. She is currently gaining hands-on experience through a summer internship and semester externship in both fields.

For students considering law school, Bradford emphasizes the importance of preparation.

“Law school is a huge commitment—mentally, physically and financially,” she said. “I’m so thankful for Samford’s pre-law program, which allowed me to take law school-style classes and understand the expectations before committing.”

As she continues her legal education, she serves as an inspiration to current and future Bulldogs pursuing careers in law.

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Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.