As the demands on professionals grow, so does the need for cross-disciplinary knowledge. Legal fluency is increasingly recognized as an essential skill, enabling leaders across industries to manage legal risks, lead with confidence and enhance their decision-making.
The George Washington University Law School’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program helps professionals achieve their goals by providing a practical and applied understanding of legal concepts across various industries. This article features recent students and highlights how the MSL has influenced their professional growth.
Diverse Backgrounds, Shared Motivation
The GW MSL attracts a diverse cohort of students from industries that include government, defense, consulting and technology. Despite their professional differences, MSL students share a common motivation: to gain a deeper understanding of the law and learn how to apply that knowledge to inform strategy and decision-making more effectively.
Lorna Macfarlane, a policy consultant and fraud investigator, explains: “I was searching for a program for non-attorneys that bridged the gap between national security law and government procurement law.” She notes that the MSL program helped her improve her day-to-day work performance: “Because GW Law teaches you a different type of language, I feel better equipped to actively participate in any conversation and a variety of professional settings.”
Shawn Caton, who works in federal capture/business development, saw the MSL as a way to deepen his contracting expertise. As he puts it: “The hyper-relevant MSL degree concentrations and the high-caliber faculty made it an obvious choice.”
Roberto Macoto, a Department of Defense security professional, entered the program to better understand the principles and application of the law to federal and state statutes, specifically in the context of rapid action and decision-making. He mentions that he particularly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of professionals, noting that the “rich discussion with other professionals, exposure to new concepts and concentrations, opposing points of view to defend standings, ideas, and approach in developing cases and opinions,” were among the aspects of the program he valued most.
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Where They’re Headed: Ambitions with Legal Impact
MSL students tend to have ambitious career goals, from pursuing senior executive roles to entrepreneurship and policy advocacy. Through the MSL program, they build the skills and legal fluency needed to achieve their objectives.
Ayanna Wilson works at the Department of Defense as an acquisition program manager but aspires to become a chief acquisition executive. She is confident that the MSL will help her achieve her goal. “This degree undoubtedly puts me closer to my career goal. I expect to be placed in a chief role when I return to the office,” she states.
Like Wilson, John McKnight discovered that the MSL gave him a competitive edge and positioned him for advancement. He currently works at the Aerospace Corporation as a senior project manager and aspires to be a program executive officer (PEO) or senior executive service (SES) member in charge of procurement. “The knowledge [I have gained through the MSL] has really allowed me to stand out from all of my peers. I have seen increased professional responsibility directly attributable to my education at GW,” he reports.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Branch Chief Jose Brandon hopes to work at the National Security Agency one day and is confident that the MSL will help him advance his career.
Lorna Macfarlane also highlights the value of the relationships she formed through the program. “It’s often said, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ I am confident that thanks to GW Law, the ‘who’ I know (by way of incredible faculty and peers) will add to the ‘what’ I know (by way of incredible instruction and advice) to take me that much further in my career,” she says.
Advice for Future MSL Students
If you’re considering enrolling in the GW MSL, take it from those who’ve been there: you don’t need a legal background to succeed in this program. It’s designed to build your knowledge and confidence. Jose Brandon “would tell prospective students to highly consider this program and not to be intimidated by not having a legal background.”
Ayanna Wilson echoes this: “Don’t hesitate to pursue this degree. I guarantee it is an experience like no other.” John McKnight is just as enthusiastic: “Do it, 100%. I tell everyone in my office they should do it.”
Furthermore, Lorna Macfarlane also encourages incoming students to consider a dual concentration, like the one she pursued in Government Procurement & Cybersecurity Law. “It will open the door to incredible opportunities to not only learn subject matter adjacent to your field but also give you access to expert advice (meaning classmates and professors). This is invaluable,” she says.
Ready for the Next Step in Your Career Journey?
The stories of GW MSL students make it clear: there’s no single path into the program, and no one-size-fits-all background required for success. What unites them is not where they started, but that they know where they’re headed — and how the GW Law MSL’s tailored curriculum, expert faculty, and supportive community can help them get there with confidence and clarity.Ready to take the next step in your own journey? Connect with an advisor to explore how the GW MSL can support your career goals, or start your application today.