1 reply to this topic

[Art Montemayor]

I see nothing strange or odd in a Chemical Engineer seeking further self-improvement in those areas of interest to him. I would naturally expect this of a serious and dedicated engineer. My college roomate of 4 years went from a double-degree in Petroleum/Geological Engineering on to law school when oil drilling and exploration were diminished and he would have to sit idle without meeting challenges and problems. He simply walked off the stage at Texas A&M with his two degrees and quickly applied and passed the entrance test at Texas U for Law School - without any studying or cramming. He graduated at the top of his class at A&M and simply repeated the act at Texas 3 years later, in 1963. He went on to set and write new legal principles in land leasing and oil properties disputes as a senior member in a nation-wide land title company, serving as its Corporate Counsel and was responsible for all holding company compliance issues with the Texas Department of Insurance, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. He was well known nation-wide and left a record in his area of expertise.

His outlook on engineering was groomed just like mine: engineers are problem-solvers. The problem can take on the aspects and looks of a variety of things and situations. It doesn't (and shouldn't) matter to an engineering mind what the problem is called or what it looks like. An engineer is trained to solve problems and that, in its pure essence, is also what Lawyers and Doctors are supposed to do. An engineer, in my opinion, is a "natural" for the legal and medical fields of application. You will find many lawyers and doctors who started their career as engineers; however, you'll have difficulty finding a doctor or lawyer who switched and pursued an engineering career. It's much tougher for them to do the reverse. I haven't found one in 45 years of travel around the globe. Engineers, in my opinion, are simply rigorously trained to always go forward and seek further knowledge for more problem solving. This gives us a net advantage over all other disciplines who also claim to be problem solvers.

Your prospects as a lawyer with an engineering degree? I would say they would surpass those of your peers or colleagues! I've worked with lawyers who also had engineering degrees - in the courtroom, where I have given expert-witness testimony. I found it a delight to see how this type of training allows a lawyer to take over a courtroom with expert knowledge and abilities. These abilities are short in supply and sorely needed at the very high corportate levels (and plant levels) to guide and lead successful management teams in day-to-day business proceedings. It's all about solving problems at hand. I can think of no better challenge if you are motivated in that direction. You will certainly be expected to lead, not follow.

I'm glad you asked and that I could share some fond memories.

Art Montemayor