Uniquely prepared: Clemson history graduate heads to law school with more than just technical skills

A Wisconsin native, Kelli Brabson ’25 came to Clemson by herself, knowing no one and having never stepped foot on South Carolina soil. Inspired by one of her high school teachers, Brabson confidently stepped into college with a History major and an interest in law. A chance encounter with Tim Garrison, Pre-Law Advisor in the College of Arts and Humanities and Director of the William Howell Pre-Law Society (of which Brabson is now President), as a freshman set Brabson on a path towards success that has led her all the way to the University of Georgia School of Law.

Looking back on her Clemson education, Brabson, a History major with a Legal Studies minor, notes how her experiences have prepared her for law school not just as a student, but as person.

Specialization within a career field is a defining part of the early-career process. Though pursuing a specialty may seem daunting at first, Brabson found that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it might already be a part of who you are.

Brabson spent her college summers at a YMCA summer camp in Wisconsin. It was there that she began to identify an area of law she was interested in studying: family law.

“I’m super interested in family law now because I was with those kids every day,” she said. “We worked with Child Protective Services sometimes and that really opened my eyes to kids that need advocating for. They can’t do it themselves. Someone has to do it.”

Brabson’s specialty was born out of investing in those already in her community. “You’ll figure out where you need to be and who you’re supposed to help,” she said.

With a minor in Spanish, Brabson studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain through a Clemson abroad partner, CEA CAPA. The program helped each student find an internship opportunity that matched their interests. In the beginning, it was unclear if Brabson would be able to find something related to law overseas, but she landed at a small immigration law firm with a big opportunity for personal growth: all of the legal proceedings were conducted entirely in Spanish.

Brabson chose to take it as an opportunity for growth.

“It made me realize I can do hard things,” she said. “That was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve done, working in an office in a foreign country and a second language with people that don’t speak my first language. But I’ve done it. So I know when more challenges come, I’ll be able to do it.”

As her time at Clemson comes to an end, Brabson has been looking for ways to give back to the community that’s shaped her. As a senior, she joined the Clemson University Student Government (CUSG) judicial board.

CUSG judicial board is the judicial branch of Clemson student government. The board exists to hear cases from students who have received violations from the University police. Board members serve as either the student’s advisor or as a member of the jury. As an advisor, board members seek to understand the student’s perspective of what happened and help explain the situation to the jury, making sure the student isn’t going through the process alone.

 “There’s a huge focus on sanctions that are educational rather than punitive. We try to give them things that will help them change,” she said. “Making sure the judicial process is to help the student has really impacted me. I think the whole point of the legal system is to help the person that is facing the issues.”

While there are many skills that Brabson is taking with her as she leaves Clemson, remembering the people she’s seeking to serve has helped ground her for the next chapter, and a lifelong journey of applying the law for the good of others.