The Law Place Law School Scholarship has awarded $2,500 to Abigail So, a first-year student at Penn Carey Law, for her essay exploring how a research mentor outside the legal profession shaped her understanding of justice. So's submission revealed that legal heroes can be found beyond courtrooms and case law, challenging conventional notions of legal inspiration.
So described how working with psychology researcher Dr. Bermant during her undergraduate studies transformed her career path. Through their collaboration, she investigated the psychological dimensions of false confessions, examining how interrogation techniques intersect with human vulnerability. "I read everything I could find: landmark cases, psychological studies, interrogation transcripts, wrongful conviction stories," So explained. "It was chilling and addictive—this deeply human, deeply legal issue."
The research experience led So to fundamental questions about legal reform, including what constitutes fair interrogations and whether psychologists should play a role in shaping legal procedures. Dr. Bermant's persistent questioning about how she would apply her knowledge ultimately inspired her to pursue law. "His questions became my calling," So said. "He lit the flame and kept it burning with every conversation."
So emphasized that her mentor demonstrated how law extends beyond rules to encompass psychology, power dynamics, and truth-seeking. "Dr. Bermant became more than a mentor—he became my hero," she noted. "Not because he stood in a courtroom or wrote landmark opinions, but because he showed me that the law isn't just about rules. It's about people."
The scholarship, which recognizes students who celebrate legal influences on their ambitions, typically attracts essays about judges, attorneys, or historical legal figures. So's selection highlights growing recognition of interdisciplinary approaches to legal education and practice. After graduation, So intends to work as a transactional attorney while maintaining her interest in psychological aspects of justice.
The Law Place, which offers the scholarship through its team of Sarasota personal injury lawyers, views So as representative of a new generation bringing fresh perspectives to legal practice. Her focus on critical examination of systemic issues suggests potential for meaningful contributions to legal reform discussions, particularly regarding interrogation practices and wrongful convictions.
