Two Future Superstar Attorneys of North Carolina

Winners of the First Marcilliat & Mills PLLC Bar Exam Scholarship

Two hardworking law students are about to take the February bar exam. No matter what happens (though they’ll do just fine, based on what we’ve seen of them so far) they’re already winners in our book, who impressed us with their answers to the question:

• “If you had to choose between working as a prosecutor and working as a defense lawyer, which would you choose, and why?”

Evelyn Saxton of Goldsboro and Danielle Feller of Mooresville both won our first Marcilliat & Mills PLLC scholarship for bar takers, taking home $2,500 each, to help defray the cost of bar exam study and preparation.

Evelyn Saxton (Future Prosecutor*)

On our Facebook wall, Ms. Saxton wrote:

• “During law school, I worked at two District Attorney’s Offices under the 3L practice rule, spending substantial time in Domestic Violence Court, interacting with victims, and assisting in negotiating deferral agreements with defendants. This experience cemented my interest in working as a prosecutor, as prosecutors are uniquely able to help both victims and defendants access the specific legal, educational, and psychological support and resources they need. I would choose to be a prosecutor, rather than a defense lawyer, because it would enable me to represent the best interests of my community while honoring defendants’ rights, thereby actualizing the fundamental values of the American justice system.”

Danielle Feller (Future Defense Attorney*)

And Ms. Feller wrote:

• “If I had to choose between working as a prosecutor or as a defense lawyer, I would choose to be a defense lawyer. After working in both state and federal defense agencies, I understand how important it is for each client to feel as if their voice is being heard, even if they are not the ones doing the actual talking. I truly believe every person deserves a zealous advocate to defend their constitutional rights and freedom, and I want to be that person.”

Grit, Drive, Determination

Everyone knows that taking the bar exam is no piece of cake, but what’s tougher is working hard every day – even when there’s no exam to study for – to show the grit and determination it takes to ultimately succeed as a lawyer.

Congratulations to Evelyn Saxton and Danielle Feller. Now let’s go conquer that bar exam in February.

*With the caveat that both Ms. Saxton and Ms. Feller are completely free to change their minds and switch to the other side of the table…