A Tribute to Texas Law Moms 

Law school is a challenge in itself—but for Texas Law students who are also mothers, it takes the word “commitment” to a whole new level. They balance two demanding roles with grace, determination, and focus. 

In recognition of Mother’s Day, we introduce four of these remarkable individuals—2L Megan Ezekannagha, 3L Lizeth Badillo Garcia, 1L Emily Joiner, and 3L Erin Zwiener—and honor all moms at Texas Law and everywhere.  

You were serving as an Army field artillery officer (captain) when you decided to pursue law school. What inspired you to move in this direction? 
With a growing family, my husband and I were ready to put down roots and build a stable foundation for our future. Using the GI Bill to make a career change   was both practical and meaningful, since law had always been in the back of my mind. When my husband, Chiazo, was applying to business school, we decided to go all-in together, and Texas made perfect sense: the best business and law schools in the state, in a city we love. 

How has Texas Law and its faculty supported your law school journey? 
Between parenting and continuing to serve in the National Guard, I’ve had to balance a lot—and Texas Law has made that possible. Dean Bangs has been an incredible advisor and advocate, and Professors Melissa Wasserman and Edward Dawson were wonderfully patient and supportive when I had to bring my daughter to class during 1L year. 

How has being a mother impacted your law school experience? 
Motherhood has grounded me. It keeps me from dwelling on mistakes or taking myself too seriously, and it constantly reminds me of the bigger picture. There’s no better perspective than coming home to little ones who couldn’t care less about cold calls. 

What life lessons do you believe you are modeling for your children? 
Balance, the value of education, and the idea that intellectual growth is a lifelong pursuit—not something you leave behind after school. 

What advice would you give to mothers who are attending or considering law school? 
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Build a strong support network, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and trust that doing what’s best for your family may look different from anyone else’s path—and that’s okay.  

How has motherhood impacted your time in law school? 
Being a mother has shaped every aspect of my law school experience. While raising a little one has undoubtedly made law school more challenging, it has also given me a deeper sense of purpose and reminded me daily that what I’m doing matters. Knowing that my son is watching motivates me to keep going, even on the hardest days.  

What life lessons do you believe you are modeling for your son? 
Because I had my son when I was a freshman in college then decided to go to law school when he was a toddler, I’ve had more than my fair share of long days and even longer nights. He sees me work hard every day for both of us, so my hope is that he grows up not only understanding what it means to have a dream, but also what it takes to pursue it with humility and resilience.    

What advice would you give to mothers who are attending or considering law school? 
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it—whether that means leaning on friends or family for childcare so you can study or requesting an extension from a professor. When I started law school, I put so much pressure on myself to “do it all,” and anything less felt like failure. But I quickly learned that relying on a strong support system is the only way to juggle the near-constant demands of law school with the responsibilities of motherhood.  

How has Texas Law and its faculty supported your law school journey? 
The faculty have been nothing but supportive throughout my time at Texas Law. When I had to miss class because my son was sick, or even bring him to class because of childcare issues, my professors were incredibly understanding and made sure I had the resources I needed to succeed, including class recordings, slides, or extra office hours if I needed them. Dean Elizabeth Bangs and the entire team in the Student Affairs Office also provided invaluable support, from academic advising and final exam scheduling, to coordinating with the Financial Aid Office to help make law school economically feasible as a parenting student. 

What inspired you to pursue a law degree? 
I want to practice public interest law. I came back to school after more than a decade working in multiple social justice organizations. As I thought about a path for the years to come, I kept coming back to an earlier goal of pursuing a law degree and the satisfaction I felt working with people during a period that I served as a paralegal, and I decided that law school really felt right as my next step.   

How has motherhood impacted your law school experience? 
Being a mother, and particularly a solo parent, has defined the contours of my law school experience in all ways. As a parent, I have to be particularly intentional regarding how I use my time both with my son and away from him. While it’s still a work in progress, I have sharpened my ability to remain disciplined with my time and my ability to triage—not everything can be a priority on any given day. I have also had to tame my inner perfectionist and make peace with doing the best I can with the time I have .  

What life lessons do you believe you are modeling for your son? 
I hope my son grows up knowing that investing in oneself and pursuing goals is worth the effort at any age and stage. Similarly, career paths are far from being a one-time choice you make at age 18. Rather, a career is a lifelong series of decisions about how we want to engage professionally in the world. It’s important to keep listening to your gut about the next steps that are right for you and not be afraid to take leaps to honor those instincts.   

What advice would you give to mothers who are attending or considering law school? 
As a parent, expect that your law school experience will be defined by a different set of choices than a “traditional” student. You will have different challenges, and you will likely need a different kind of support system: I should dedicate 1L to my parents who have gone above and beyond in their parent and grandparent roles this year! You will not be alone in having responsibilities outside of school, and while it might take you more time to make connections, you will find community here. If you feel like your path leads to law school, you will figure out how to manage all the moving pieces, and you will be proud of investing in yourself and your family in this way.  

You started law school while serving as a state representative. What inspired you to pursue a law degree? 
I discovered from my political work that I take joy in arguing points of law. I also realized how much I didn’t know that I didn’t know. Coming to Texas Law was a way to both chase a passion and strengthen my public service. 

How has being a mother impacted your law school experience? 
Time is always the most limited resource and hanging out with your kid and studying are not activities that go well together. Parenting limited my ability to participate in extracurriculars, but it helped me stay focused on what’s important to me and to my family’s future. 

What life lessons do you believe you are modeling for your daughter? 
I hope my daughter is learning from me the importance of hard work and chasing your dreams. I chose to go back to law school in my mid-30s, and I hope she’ll also learn it’s never too late to explore a new path. 

What advice would you give to mothers who attending or considering law school? 
Figure out your family time non-negotiables early. Still coach the soccer team and go to the dance recitals. Quality time with the kids refills the well and helps you stay focused on all the various priorities. 

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Support for Parenting Students

The University of Texas at Austin has a designated support “liaison” for parenting students. Parenting students are eligible for priority registration, and pregnant and parenting students are entitled to leaves of absence and accommodations beyond those required by federal law under Title IX.