Campbell Law Spotlight: Andrea Renegar-King ’25

Andrea Renegar-King ’25 is a first-generation college and law student from the small town of Harmony, North Carolina. She pursued her undergraduate degree in political science, English and comparative literature from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. As an avid reader, her passion for reading and writing naturally led her to consider law school.

During her undergraduate years at UNC-Chapel Hill, Renegar-King interned with criminal defense attorney, John Lithgow, where she gained experience in legal research and writing. She then worked at the Law Office of Matthew Charles Suczynski, further developing her skills. After graduating a year early, Renegar-King worked at Ogletree Deakins as a Business Immigration Paralegal. She says the time at the firm gave her valuable insights into the workings of a large law practice, solidifying her commitment to a legal career.

A pivotal moment in Renegar-King’s journey came during her internship at the North Carolina Court of Appeals under Chief Judge Chris Dillon. After touring the Court of Appeals at the beginning of her 1L year and hearing Judge Dillon speak at a McIntyre-Whichard Fellows event, she was inspired to pursue a Court of Appeals internship, ultimately leading to her 1L summer position. Exposure to family law cases while interning at the Court of Appeals also sparked her interest in practicing family law.

During her 2L summer, Renegar-King interned at Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers LLP, where she quickly recognized the firm’s genuine and supportive culture. This experience solidified her passion for family law and emphasized the importance of finding a firm with a cultural fit. After her summer there, Renegar-King received a full-time offer to join the firm upon graduation.

Currently, Renegar-King serves as a Legal Research and Writing Scholar, a legal research assistant and president of the Women in Law student organization. She says being an LRW Scholar has become one of her favorite aspects of law school, as she takes great pleasure in guiding students through the legal writing process. Despite the busy school year filled with extracurricular commitments, her role as a scholar and a heavy course load, Renegar-King enjoys the hustle and finds it fulfilling.

Networking and mentorship have been vital to Renegar-King’s journey. Her connection with Chief Judge Dillon and participation in the McIntyre-Whichard Legal Fellowship provided her with essential guidance and opportunities. “I found my 1L job through networking,” she explained. “It’s crucial to build those relationships.”

Renegar-King also praised the support she received from Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development Mallory Underwood and the Career Center. As a first-generation law student, she relied on the Center’s guidance throughout her job search. “Dean Underwood helped me navigate everything, from the applications to the offer,” she added.

She encourages students to remain open-minded about different areas of the law they might initially dismiss, emphasizing that first impressions may not always reflect true interests.

And for students navigating their legal education, Renegar-King offers the following advice: “Get involved and get to know your professors. It’s rewarding to connect with them outside of class.”