Erin Brennan graduated from the USC Gould School of Law’s on-campus LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in 2024. In this Q&A, Brennan discusses her early inspiration to study law, her decision to pivot to a career in ADR, and how the LLM in ADR program prepared her for her current role as Director with the American Arbitration Association–International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
What sparked your interest in learning about law?
I became interested in the law at a young age. When I was in eighth grade, my history teacher suggested I should go to law school and it stuck from then on. I made up my mind that I wanted to study law. I was inspired by learning about women in the law, such as Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I realized that learning the law could create a platform for change and open doors to help my community.
What made you pursue your degree, and why at USC Gould?
I practiced family law for over 10 years, and over that time I began to realize there had to be a better way to resolve family conflicts. I began researching alternative dispute resolution programs, I was particularly interested in mediation and how it could reduce the need for litigation. I discovered USC Gould in my research, and I noted that it had a strong reputation and was well respected in the field. I really appreciated that the program was in person and would allow for hands-on experience.
How was the transition into your program, and how did USC assist you?
The transition into the program was interesting, because I was out of school for over 10 years before attending USC! The G&IP (Graduate and International) program was wonderful in assisting with the transition, they offered many workshops and events to smooth the process. I was worried about being older and back in school, but I was happily surprised at the diverse group of students at Gould! It was wonderful to be able to take classes with students in a variety programs, from law students to certificate students.
What is the most memorable experience from your USC studies?
The most memorable experience for me was participating in the USC Gould Mediation Clinic. Being in the clinic permitted me to mediate real cases in small claims court throughout L.A. County. It was not only a great experience to learn from my professor and fellow mediators, but learning from my fellow classmates in the clinic. I had the opportunity to co-mediate with my classmates, which helped build friendships and professional relationships, in addition to learning valuable skills. It was nice to see different approaches and skill sets could all lead to successful results.
What is something that you’ve enjoyed during your time as a student outside of your studies?
Outside of my studies at USC, I tried to stay very involved on campus. I loved having the chance to attend so many Trojan sporting events. I went to as many football games, basketball, volleyball and soccer games as I could. I also enjoyed participating in different campus events. There is always so much to see and do on the beautiful USC campus!
How will your degree from USC Gould give you an advantage for your future career? What do you want to do next with your degree?
I feel like having graduated from USC Gould has already given me a huge advantage. My degree in ADR opened the door for me to secure my current job as Director with the American Arbitration Association–International Centre for Dispute Resolution. In my role, I am using the knowledge I acquired about Arbitration and ADR in general. It is nice to see so many fellow trojans who are panelists with the AAA or otherwise involved in the profession. I would never have had the courage to redirect my career towards Alternative Dispute Resolution without my USC Gould experience.
What advice do you have for students who may be interested in following a similar path to yours?
I think one of the main things is not to be afraid to pivot and change directions in the legal field. If you truly have an interest in ADR, it is worth pursuing. All indications are that the ADR field will continue to grow and the opportunities will continue to widen, so go for it!! It is such an exciting time to be involved in this growing field, so now is a great time to pursue your dreams.
Previous Article
