Being in law school is demanding on its own, but students who also juggle the role of parenthood are a special breed. In honor of Father’s Day, we salute Texas Law students—along with dads everywhere—for their dedication to their families.
Meet a rising 3L and two recent Texas Law graduates and learn how they have been inspired to seek their law degrees and are motivated by their children: 3L Ochbayar Enkhbat, David Hutchison ’24, and Dakota Priest ’24.
Priest expresses appreciation for the support Texas Law provides to students who are also parents. “Every professor, student, and administrator did everything in their power to make us feel welcomed, accepted, and even excited that I had a daughter during law school,” he says. “I think that would be rare at a lot of other places.”
Ochbayar Enkhbat 3L
Family: Daughter Michelle (10 months old) and wife Khaliun
What inspired you to pursue a law degree?
I knew I wanted to become a lawyer since I was a kid. My family immigrated to the U.S. when I was eight, and I quickly became the family interpreter for pretty much everything. When my parents visited their immigration attorney’s office, I was brought along to translate. During that visit, I became enamored with how much the attorney knew about how it all worked and became inspired to attain that knowledge. It’s still a work in progress that I hope to achieve one day.
How has being a father impacted your law school experience?
Becoming a dad made me prioritize being present as a father and a husband above all else. While this reduced my focus on law school, it helped me eliminate the stress and anxiety that typically prevent a law student from thriving.
What life lessons do you believe you are modeling for your child?
Michelle is a bit too young for any life lessons for now. When she’s older, I hope to become her role model in pursuing happiness and a love of learning.
What advice would you provide to other parents in law school or considering law school? Law school will challenge you to be very efficient with your time as a parent, but it is a challenge that you can overcome. Law school involves a tremendous amount of work, so I always strive to implement the mantra “work smarter, not harder.” Finally, please don’t shy away from asking for help from your friends, family, and most importantly the law school faculty and staff. Life will throw curveballs at you, so lean on those support systems as much as you can!
David Hutchison ’24
Family: Son Augustine Blaine (8 months old) and wife Jenna
What are your immediate job plans?
After I take the bar in July, I will start as a law clerk for Judge Andrew Oldham on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
What inspired you to pursue a law degree?
I have a passion for serving others and for intellectual pursuits, especially those related to philosophy and government, so I felt called to pursue the law.
How has being a dad impacted your law school experience?
Being a father has certainly made law school busier—but in the best way possible. Augustine has given me a more accurate perspective on life and reminds me daily that my worth and primary duties are not bound up in my work. Augustine has also brought me such incredible joy, even when law school is difficult and stressful.
What life lesson do you believe you are modeling for your child?
I hope I am showing Augustine what it looks like to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ—one who loves God and loves others, works hard but relies on God’s grace, and puts family before work even when it’s hard.
What advice would you provide to other parents in law school or considering law school?
You can do it! It’s challenging, of course, but it is so worth it. You will need to rely on your family and friends’ help, but that’s true regardless of when you have kids. Kids are hard work but wonderful blessings from God. Go for it!
Dakota Priest ’24
Family: Daughter Emmy Ralph (2) and wife Avery
What are your immediate job plans?
I plan to be a corporate associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Austin.
What inspired you to pursue a law degree?
I remember growing up in Lorena, Texas, and some of the people I looked up to most in my life were lawyers. Through my father’s career as a cattle rancher, we interacted with attorneys every now and then. Every time I met an attorney, I was impacted by their knowledge, ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, and the place in society they held. They upheld the Constitution and the law while interacting with everyday individuals at their time of need. I am thankful that I got to meet these people because my dad always involved me in his work around the ranch.
How has being a father impacted your law school experience?
It has given me something greater to work towards. Naturally, most of my friends in law school did not have kids. I would sometimes think that it must be nice to have all that extra time on their hands, but then I would get home from class and spend time with our daughter, Emmy Ralph, and be so grateful for the inspiration and drive she gives me. I am not just going to law school to make a name for myself or get more knowledge under my belt. Instead, I am here for her so that she can be afforded every opportunity in this world and live a life that is blessed by a father who works hard and strives for great goals.
What life lesson do you believe you are modeling for your child?
I like to think that I am teaching her that family is important. Law school for me came third and that is okay. I have my faith and family, which always go above studying for the next exam or writing a paper. I hope she knows how much I love her and that with the support of your loved ones, you can go really far in life. At the end of the day, reaching your goals is great, but it won’t satisfy you. All the money, power, or success will still leave you feeling empty if you don’t have relationships around you. I hope she can see that from how I take the time to spend with her and my wife even when life is busy.
What advice would you provide to other parents in law school or considering law school?
It is possible to do law school and do it really well. A common feeling in law school is loneliness. I think at Texas Law it is better than most places because it is not competitive and so easy to find friends, but it still can be a struggle, especially the first year. Being a parent through law school provided me with a purpose that helped me push through the lonely and difficult stretches that naturally come our way. If I was just going through law school for myself, it would be a lot harder to find that purpose. But waking up every day and spending time with our daughter before class was a tangible reminder as to why I am here and who I am doing this for.
To read about more Texas Law parents, see our article in celebration of Mother’s Day.