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Indiana State Trooper Andrew Garrett is a 2L student in IU McKinney’s evening division.

Where are you from?

I am from a small town, Milan, Indiana. It’s in Ripley County.

Any lawyers in your family? What made you decide you wanted to go to law school?

My sister, Jaclyn, graduated from IU McKinney in 2018. She practices criminal and family law in Shelbyville.

My wife and I were foster parents and went through the adoption process. Seeing what the children and foster families go through motivated me to look into CHINS and adoption type cases.

And what brought you to IU McKinney in particular? What has your experience been like as a student at IU McKinney?

I came to McKinney because of the part-time program being ranked well. The ability to work full-time and attend to classes in the evening was an easy decision. Additionally, my sister went to McKinney and hearing her positive experiences solidified my decision.

IU McKinney has been a positive environment for me. I have always felt as if the staff want me to succeed and will give me the tools. Going into law school, I had the mentality that the school wouldn't care whether I made it or not but that has not been the case for me. The networking at IU McKinney has far exceeded my expectations. The number of professionals in the part-time program blew my mind as well as the connections among McKinney alumni. 

 What’s been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make in your life since you started law school?

My biggest adjustment has been the lack of free time. If I am not working or doing something with my family, I have to use the time for school. My wife has been amazing at helping pick up my slack while I focus on completing school. 

What externship or clinic courses have you taken part in? Have you worked as a summer associate anywhere?

I worked with the Indiana State Police through IU McKinney’s Program on Law and State Government. I work full-time there as a trooper. That opportunity opened the door to me working in our legal office where I will be able to practice as a certified legal intern. It was interesting to see all the different areas of law that the state police legal office deals with. They deal with firearms, expungements, legislative, civil, as well as representing the Indiana State Police and the superintendent as a client.

 What are your plans for after law school?

As of right now, my plan would be to stay with the Indiana State Police as legal counsel. I would like to practice family law (CHINS, adoption) in my spare time in some sort of capacity whether representing clients or being a guardian ad litem or training CASAs.