Michelle Teran-Woolfork serves as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, where she oversees staff, works on policy and political issues, negotiates, and navigates the fast-paced demands of the California Legislature. Before stepping into a leadership role at the State Capitol, though, she was a young policy professional seeking to strengthen her legal knowledge and become more effective in her work. The Master of Science in Law (MSL) program at McGeorge School of Law provided her with that opportunity.
Building Legal Knowledge Through a Master of Science in Law Degree
“In undergrad,” Michelle says, “I was law school bound. I took the LSAT. I applied to all the schools. And then I came across this whole other world that I hadn’t thought about that still was dealing with laws, but not necessarily in the way that I had imagined.” While working in policy, Michelle realized she wanted a stronger understanding of the law behind the policies she was advocating for. At the same time, she knew she did not want to become a practicing attorney. The MSL offered a way to bridge that gap.
Rather than spending three years pursuing a J.D., Michelle could focus her legal education on the areas most relevant to her career. She took courses related to capital lawyering and the legislative process, learning how bills move through the Legislature and how legal decisions shape public policy. “I definitely think that this program allows you to customize what you want to focus on.”
Applying an MSL Degree to a Career in Public Policy and Legislative Advocacy
One of the most valuable aspects of Michelle’s McGeorge experience was how quickly she could apply what she learned. “The mediation and public speaking courses were extremely applicable to the work that I was doing and just made me better at my job,” she says. One of the clearest examples came while she was working on a particularly controversial bill.
“I feel like those two classes were extremely helpful in providing the preparation and presentation that had to be done to get these members from a ‘no’ to a ‘yes’ to ensure the passage of the bill. And that led to growth in my career professionally, and then also personally as well.” Ultimately, the experience proved just how valuable an MSL could be for a working public policy professional. Meanwhile, “Being able to pivot quickly and negotiate effectively on behalf of a policy member, and have conversations with leadership, is extremely important, and I attribute a lot of that to this degree.”
Developing Legislative and Negotiation Skills Through an MSL
Through the MSL program, Michelle Teran-Woolfork developed a deeper understanding of the legislative process and the many players involved in turning an idea into law. She learned about policy, yes, but also how to read a bill, the process that goes into a budget, and how many different departments interact with the legislature.
That foundation continues to influence how she approaches her work. “I definitely ask a lot more questions instead of taking everything at face value. It’s part of the training that you get in the MSL. You want to understand things in a more detailed, intimate way, because interpretation is everything. I think these are all things that eventually you learn, but being able to learn at a much faster pace, so that you could apply it in the moment? I think that’s what makes the program different.”
Studying at McGeorge School of Law
McGeorge’s location in Sacramento was a major advantage for Michelle. Already working in California policy, she wanted to study near the State Capitol and build relationships within the Sacramento legislative community. She was also drawn to McGeorge’s accessible professors and smaller class sizes. “I would definitely recommend that prospective students sit in on a class. It’s what really sold me on the program.”
Many of her professors brought experience working in and around the Capitol, giving Michelle the opportunity to learn from professionals who understood the realities of policymaking. That professional environment also helped her build a network that continues to support her career. “There were active members of our core cohort who went out of their way to make us feel like we were a part of the McGeorge community. It was always something that I greatly appreciated.”
How an MSL Supports Career Advancement for Non-Lawyers
The MSL degree from McGeorge can help professionals better understand many processes integral to policymaking and a successful career in the field. It gave Michelle Teran-Woolfork the legal foundation to better understand the issues she works on, the practical skills to communicate and negotiate effectively, and the professional connections to help her keep moving forward in her public policy career.
“This program did a lot for me,” she agrees. “It definitely prepared me more for leadership positions as well. The training is extremely invaluable; it’s helped me show up in rooms that felt out of reach. I have a seat at the table, and I know that McGeorge and the MSL program were definitely a large part of my journey in getting here.”