M
ary Ann Becker has always loved
writing. Luckily for her, you can
make a career out of it.
That’s exactly what the
Kansas City native has done, and in July, Becker
became Loyola’s associate director of writing
programs and academic support.
Her journey to the position began with a
bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in
French language and literature. In law school, Becker
was a legal writing teaching assistant, a research
assistant, and an editor of the law review. With
her law degree under her belt, Becker worked as a
litigation attorney at several Chicago firms. When
she was a third-year lawyer, the director of legal
writing at DePaul, her former professor, encouraged
her to teach legal writing.
“That’s when I started working as an adjunct
professor,” recalls Becker. “I developed an advanced
writing class on civil litigation. It was so much work
and really time consuming—and I loved it. I really
enjoyed working with the students and translating
what I knew about writing and legal practice into
something that would help them as new attorneys.
When I did it another semester, I thought, ‘It’s even
better!’ I knew that was where I should be.”
A year later, Becker joined DePaul’s faculty,
where she spent the next seven years as a full-time
legal writing professor before Loyola claimed her
considerable talents.
Q:
Was your plan to
be a writer?
A:
When I graduated, I didn’t know what I
wanted to do, but I loved reading and writing.
I decided I wanted to be an editor and got a
job at a small, independent publishing firm as
an editorial assistant.
That’s what got me interested in going to
law school. I worked with a lawyer who’d written
a book for us. Then one of our owners was sued
by a writer’s family, and she wrote a book about it
detailing the legal process, including all the pleadings
and briefs. I learned early on that when you’re a
lawyer, you get to do a lot of writing. That was really
interesting to me.
Q:
How important are
strong writing skills to a
successful law career?
A:
On my first day of classes each year, I tell my
students, “Welcome to law school. Whether you know
it or not, you’re now a professional writer.”No
one tells you that. You see TV shows like
Law &
Order
and read about trials in the newspaper,
and people think only of the oral advocacy side
of being a lawyer. But the way you get there is to
have a well-written document.
Q:
What writing tips do
you give students?
A:
First, it’s coming in and seeing your
professor. So much of what can be done
involves talking: “Here’s the paragraph I
drafted. Can we talk about what can be
rewritten?” It’s about working with students
one on one with a small section of their draft
so they can then expand on it throughout
their writing. Also, I always ask my students,
“So what?” or “Why?” at the end of sentences.
In legal writing, every sentence matters because
it’s leading the reader somewhere.
Finally, I’m a huge proponent of editing.
I think you can draft a document that meets
its purpose with a few drafts, but really, really
good writers go through countless drafts. That
idea always surprises students. The first draft
is for you because it’s you figuring things out.
Everything you do after that is for the reader.
Q:
What would
people be surprised
to learn about you?
A:
I still take French classes. A friend
from France is in Chicago, and he teaches
at Loyola, too. I just started a French literature
and cinema class with him and some friends,
so I’m still getting a little of the experience
our students have of putting yourself out
there in a classroom.
I’ve also been swimming with
Masters swim teams, which are part of
the national organization that governs all
adult swimming, for about seven or eight
years now. I don’t compete in meets, but I
did my first open-water race a few years ago
here in Lake Michigan. Though I haven’t
been able to swim regularly lately, I’m looking
forward to training this winter for another
open-water event next summer. I’m thinking
somewhere with warmer water this time.
■
mbecker1@luc.edu
FACULTY PROFILE
Mary Ann Becker
Write like a pro
—
because you are
Writing enthusiast Mary Ann Becker joins Loyola
On Saturday, September 27, Loyola University
Chicago School of Law alumni and friends gathered
in the Philip H. Corboy Law Center to celebrate the
classes of 2009, 2004, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974,
and 1964, and our Emeritus Alumni.
Highlights from Law
Reunion 2014
1)
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (JD ’94) snaps a photo of
classmates Lisa Colpoys (left), Judy Dever, and Catherine Schneider.
2)
Hannah Yoo (JD ’09) catches up with a classmate during the
cocktail reception.
3)
The Class of 2009 gathers in the Power
Rogers & Smith Ceremonial Courtroom for a photo.
4)
Illinois
Senate President John Cullerton (JD ’74, center) shares a memory
during the cocktail reception.
5)
Melissa Carpani (left), Elizabeth
McKillip, Helena Bunnow, Gia Colunga, and Julie Schaff (all JD ’02)
gather for a photo at the cocktail reception.
6)
The Class of 1984
shares a toast at the All-Class Dinner.
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ALUMNI UPDATE
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LOYOLA LAW
FALL 2014
27
