Law school graduate Robert Simmons of Kinston is still hitting the books after seven years of college. A recent Spring 2021 graduate of the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in Raleigh, Simmons is preparing to take the bar exam in July and then go to work.

“I will most likely work in a District Attorney’s Office, but I’m also open to working in a Public Defender’s office or perhaps a private defense firm,” he said.  

His educational journey started at Lenoir Community College after he graduated from South Lenoir High School in 2014. He chose LCC because “it was close to home and it offered a quality education.”  Graduating with an associate in arts degree from LCC two years later, Simmons attended Campbell University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History with a pre-law concentration and a minor in Political Science before heading to law school. 

“Both LCC and Campbell University prepared me for law school by giving me a new and difficult assignments on topics such as argumentation, history, and political science that helped me to become familiar with the topics we explored in depth in law school,” Simmons said.  

Simmons said LCC prepared him for his undergraduate degree and for the three years of law school. “Adjusting to the extremely heavy workload and to learning through the Socratic method were my greatest challenges in law school,” he said.  

He has stayed focused on his studies. “I’m not sure my life has changed very much since LCC,” he said. “My primary focus has been on law school, and I’m very grateful for stability over the last three years.”

Simmons said he feels that in the field of law, specifically criminal law, he will be able to have a positive impact on the lives of others on a daily basis.  “The opportunity to do so is what has kept me motivated and encouraged throughout three grueling years of law school.” 

 “To go into the field of law you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said.  “Whether you’re arguing a motion before a judge, cross-examining a criminal defendant, or reviewing a contract, you will be placed in unnerving situations. 

“The hardest lesson I learned is that it is entirely okay to be uncomfortable or to fail, learn from it, and give it another shot,” he said.  “When you see yourself improve and become more comfortable, the stress and discomfort are worthwhile.”  

The law school graduate said he is extremely grateful for his Lenoir Community College experience.  “The Foundation office was my first introduction to working in an office setting,” he said.  “The classes were challenging and gave me a leaping off point for undergrad and eventually law school.  I graduated with less debt than otherwise would have been the case.  I still consider LCC to be one of my best decisions.”