Mary  Bishop

Home State

Tennessee

Undergraduate Institution and Graduation Year

Samford University, 2023

Legal Interests

Right now, I am mostly interested in family law! I would love to work with kids in some capacity, so something along the lines of adoption law would be the dream!

Hobbies

Outside of school, I love to play pickleball, cook, and host new and old friends!

What do you think is the best thing about Cumberland School of Law?

The best thing about Cumberland is the people! Cumberland is filled with people who, of course, care about their legal careers, but also care deeply about their classmates. It is rare to come by a law school with as kind, hardworking, and caring people as Cumberland. I also have really grown to love and respect my professors at Cumberland - which has been such a sweet bonus!

Why did you choose Cumberland School of Law?

I chose Cumberland because of the people! From my first visit, it was evident that the community was strong amongst the student body, and that the people genuinely cared for one another.

What do you most enjoy about studying law in Birmingham? What do you like to do in Birmingham?

Birmingham has so much to offer in terms of legal variety. There is such a wide range of legal opportunities in this city that truly set you up for success.

My friends and I love to visit new restaurants, go to the Pepper Place farmers market, find new coffee shops, and go on walks on the Jemison Trail! I am also pretty involved in my church, Redeemer, and spend a good amount of time investing in the community there.

Student Organizations/Extracurricular Activities

During my first year at Cumberland, I got involved in Women in Law, Christian Legal Society, a Women Business Leaders Bible Study, and became a Themis Representative.

If you could give any advice to your pre-law school self, what would you say? 

I would encourage my pre-law self to know that there is no "right" way to do anything in law school. You will hear a million different methods and study strategies that all have value, but what is important is knowing what works for you. So, don't be afraid to try things and move on if that method isn't benefiting you.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I honestly don't know yet but am genuinely open to wherever I am called to go! I love the idea of staying in Birmingham, and working for a firm, or eventually, I would also love to work for a university in some capacity.