Spencer McLaughlin ’25 Felt Albany Law was Home Right Away

When Spencer McLaughlin ’25 reflects on his time at Albany Law School, one word rises to the top: gratitude. A Syracuse native and member of the Class of 2025, McLaughlin’s path to law school—like so many others—wasn’t traditional, but it’s one he’s proud of. Originally a physiology major at the University of Scranton, it wasn’t until late in his undergraduate career that he pivoted toward political science and, eventually, law.

“Law school was something that originally wasn't even on the books,” McLaughlin said. “I did mock trial in undergrad, and that's what helped foster it a little bit. The criminal aspect of that definitely intrigued me, and the mock trial aspects of actually getting up there and presenting evidence was very interesting.”

After taking a gap year following undergrad and passing the LSAT, McLaughlin set his sights on Albany Law School for its proximity to home and its extensive alumni network spanning the Capital Region and beyond. But then came the question of whether attending Albany Law would even be financially possible.

“Financially this was not someplace that I thought was feasible for me, but the Fred L. Emerson Foundation Scholarship, which I was awarded, helped to make Albany Law a reality for me,” McLaughlin said.

The Fred L. Emerson Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to students from Cayuga County, N.Y., or, in the event there are no candidates from Cayuga County, the fund is then open to students from nearby Onondaga County. It was established through a gift from the Emerson Foundation and was first awarded in 2006.

While the scholarship helped with the financial burden of law school, McLaughlin’s decision to attend Albany Law ultimately came down to the sense of community. “When I came for my tour no student ambassadors were available to show me around, so a member of the admissions staff gave me a personal tour and introduced me to almost everyone we saw. As soon as I left, I basically was like, ‘Yeah, this is the place for me.’”

As soon as he stepped on campus, McLaughlin leaned into nearly every opportunity Albany Law had to offer, from serving on the executive board of Phi Alpha Delta to tackling real-world issues through The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center’s clinical programs.

“I remember being terrified at first when I walked into the Justice Center, you're fully responsible for clients. But by the end of it, you really feel like an attorney,” he said. “It gave me a very, very wide exposure to the range of laws. It made me realize that at the end of the day, it's not exactly about the subject of law you're in, it's more about how you are going about it, how are you treating your clients, and how are you going through the process.”
His confidence has only grown, thanks in large part to the Career and Professional Development Center. “I’ve got to give a quick shout-out to Joanne Casey, she's been my rock star. She helped me find internships, answered all my questions, and kept her door open for anything I needed.”

Thanks to his internships and clinical experiences, McLaughlin feels ready to step into practice. He’s also felt the strength of Albany Law’s alumni network firsthand.

“Everyone I interviewed with during my time here either was an Albany Law alum or knew an alum who helped me get my foot in the door,” he said. “They didn’t just help me professionally, they met with me, advised me, believed in me. That’s something I’ll never forget, and something I hope to give back.”

Outside of law school, McLaughlin recharges on the bike paths along the Hudson River and enjoys hiking at Thacher State Park. “Being able to unplug after long days, especially in summer, has been huge for me.”

As he looks ahead to graduation, McLaughlin has one final message for future students: “I think that by making the choice to go to Albany Law, you're making the best choice for your future self.”