Reese Dickerhoff ‘26 

Hometown: Vass, North Carolina

Undergraduate Education: College of Charleston (B.A., History and Political Science)

Why did you choose Campbell Law?

My now fiancé and I attended undergrad together at the College of Charleston.  We applied to many of the same law schools and were forced to make a serious decision between Campbell and the University of South Carolina.  We decided on Campbell for three primary reasons: (1) we saw our future in North Carolina; (2) I was interested in the advocacy program at Campbell; and (3) we were confident that if we attended Campbell, we would pass the bar exam.

What has been your favorite experience so far at Campbell?

My favorite experience so far at Campbell was, ironically, the exam season of my first year of law school.  I have made some of my closest friends during my time at Campbell and our first-year exams gave us a reason to be together for every waking hour for three weeks straight.  It is impossible to describe the sense of brotherhood that you develop with your friends as you prepare for your first exams, but I will never forget those late-night study sessions, debates over the material and outlandish hypotheticals.  John, Brewer, Ransom, Nate and William all became brothers to me during that season of life and we still stay in each others’ lives. Despite the fear of the exams, I will cherish those memories forever. 

What was your journey to law school like?

My journey to law school began at 15, when my father told me that I was going to be an attorney.  My father gave me one of the greatest gifts of my life, a sense of professional purpose.  This translated into doing high school mock trial and then working for a year as a paralegal in Charleston, South Carolina, as I finished up my bachelor’s degree research.  Every step of my adult life has been geared towards going to law school.

My bachelor’s degree research was only a part-time, single semester commitment, so I worked as a full-time paralegal for a small civil litigation firm where I primarily worked in insurance defense.  Once my now fiancé graduated from college, we began law school together at Campbell.  I had a fairly straightforward path to law school, but I deeply admire my classmates who came to law school as a second career, following military service or after they started a family.  My classmates who fall into those categories are some of the most impressive individuals you will ever meet. 

How did you spend your 1L and 2L summers?

During my 1L summer, I worked as a Deputy Clerk for the Moore County Clerk of Clerk, Juvenile Division.  While this was not a law firm experience, it taught me a great deal about the administrative side of the law.  I cherished my time with the wonderful people who work in my home county. During my 2L summer, I worked as a law clerk for Hutchens Law Firm in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  My work primarily focused on contract and tort litigation, appellate litigation and creditor’s rights litigation. 

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I currently serve as the Chief Justice for Campbell Law Honor Court and I lead a weekly men’s Bible study with family, friends and fellow law students. I also serve as a coach and attorney advisor for the Green Level High School Mock Trial Team.

What does your life look like outside of law school?

My fiancé and I try to go out when we can.  When the opportunity arises, we love to try new restaurants or attend concerts.  We also go visit our families in Vass and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when time permits.  We are also planning our wedding, which eats up a fair bit of our time. Individually, I have a few hobbies that I indulge in.  I deeply enjoy bourbon and cigars.  I love to play golf with my friends and my father.  But above all else, my biggest “time suck” is being a rabid fan of the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles. 

Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?

While it can be a struggle for all of us, realize and embrace that none of us know that much.  When you finish your undergraduate education, you think you know a lot.  1L then humbles you.  Once you finish 1L, you think you know a great deal about the law; however, 2L proceeds to humble you.  Even after you graduate, you will meet those who have legal minds that will force you to wrestle with the feeling of ignorance.  It is impossible to know everything in this profession.  Be humble and realize that all of us have a whole lot more to learn, even if we have come a long way from where we began.  This profession is a lifetime experience and you will meet so many people who will give you a perspective about how much more you have to grow.  Embrace that and be humble in all that you say and do.