糖心vlog

Jara Lindgren, 鈥�24, embodies strength, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. Born and raised in Sacramento, Lindgren graduated from the聽糖心vlog McGeorge School of Law in 2024 with a passion for legislative advocacy and empowering women in sports. However, her path to the legal field wasn鈥檛 always easy.聽

鈥淚 knew I wanted to help others since pursuing my master鈥檚 degree in public administration,鈥� Lindgren said.

While in graduate school at Wayne State College in Nebraska, her debut into policy didn鈥檛 ignite the spark she expected.

鈥淚n my Federal Public Policy class, I thought I鈥檇 love it but it was so boring I couldn鈥檛 connect with it,鈥� Lindgren said.

Surprisingly, it was her next required course, Local Public Policy, that inspired her.

鈥淚 thought I鈥檇 hate it too since it was with the same professor, but it completely changed my view of law. It was in that class that I fell in love with the legislative process and realized the power of writing to create real change,鈥� Lindgren said.

With this surprise, paired with her research for her Master鈥檚 capstone paper, 鈥淏arriers to Quality Education,鈥� engraved her goals into stone.

鈥淚 discovered that two key factors influencing education were the socioeconomics of a family and the mother鈥檚 level of education. That made me want to dive deeper into addressing systemic barriers,鈥� she explained.聽

Lindgren chose McGeorge School of Law for its amazing聽Capital Lawyering Concentration and proximity to the California State Capitol.

鈥淚 felt like I hit the jackpot with McGeorge,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he聽Legislative and Public Policy Clinic was a game-changer. It is one of only a few clinics in the U.S. that puts students directly into the Capitol space, working with legislators, sponsors, nonprofits, and more.鈥澛�

In the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic, Lindgren and her group members tackled real-world issues.

鈥淢y group focused on reintroducing wolverines into California. We worked with assembly members, environmental nonprofits, and sponsors to move our bill forward,鈥� she shared. 鈥淓ven though it died in appropriations, the experience taught me how to build coalitions, navigate setbacks, and create change.鈥澛�

Beyond academics, Lindgren has a deep passion for sports and gender equality in athletics. As a former collegiate soccer and basketball player, she has coached numerous athletic teams and is a mother to young athletes.

鈥淚鈥檝e learned that high school boys have 1 million more athletic options than girls,鈥� she pointed out.

Determined to address this disparity, she is in the process of聽founding 鈥淕ame Changers,鈥� a nonprofit organization focused on empowering female athletes. Game Changers hosted its first speaker event in October 2024, featuring pro-volleyball player, Maddie Haynes,聽and聽Dr. Tanisha Sparks, UOP鈥檚 Assistant Dean of聽Student Affairs, who played sports during college.

鈥淲e talked about how sports teach life skills like teamwork, confidence, and resilience,鈥� Lindgren said. 鈥淪ports teach women that you don鈥檛 have to be perfect. You just have to be brave. Choose courage over comfort and keep showing up.鈥澛�

While at McGeorge, Lindgren also pursued various interests, completing an externship at the District Attorney鈥檚 Office, traveling to Italy for an internship, and serving on the聽California Initiative Review to analyze proposed measures and present findings to the public.

鈥淚 made sure my electives weren鈥檛 all always tied to my Capital Lawyering Concentration,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 took classes like Women in the Law, Voting Then and Now, and Federal Indian Law, because you never know what else will spark your interest.鈥澛�

After passing the bar in July and being sworn into the legal profession in November, Lindgren took a bold step. Turning down jobs at two District Attorney鈥檚 Offices, she joined McGeorge鈥檚 Office of JD Admissions as a recruiter.

鈥淚 felt in my heart that this was the right decision to do at that moment, and they [San Joaquin County and Amador County District Attorney鈥檚 Offices] let me know if I changed my mind, I would be able to return,鈥� she said.

While working for the Office of JD Admissions, she simultaneously was preparing to launch her own law firm, 鈥淛ae B Law, Legacy Estate Planning,鈥� where she聽plans the firm to open in mid-January 2025, and currently already has clients waiting to be helped.聽

Her advice to future law students draws from her own experiences.

鈥淲hatever brought you to law school, take those classes but keep your eyes and heart open. And if now isn鈥檛 the right time to start law school, show up when it is. But whatever you do, make sure you鈥檙e showing up for you,鈥� Lindgren said.

From navigating the halls of the Capitol to inspiring young athletes, Lindgren鈥檚 journey proves that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary change on and off the field or court.