University of Houston Law Center student Austin Turman is receiving hands-on legal experience this summer, working with Judge Gray H. Miller ’78 and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
June 20, 2019 - Austin Turman was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Aviation Section of the State Bar of Texas for writing a case brief about the federal preemption of aviation engine lawsuits.
Turman, a rising 2L student at the University of Houston Law Center, presented the winning case brief and received his scholarship on June 13 at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting on June 13 in Austin.
"It was like a dream come true," Turman said.
Turman credits a Torts course taught by Professor Barbara Evans, director for the Center on Biotechnology & Law and the Mary Ann & Lawrence E. Faust Professor of Law, for helping him discover a passion for federal preemption.
"She taught me everything I know and gave me the tools to win this scholarship," Turman said.
Turman completed his undergraduate education at the University of Houston with a focus in political science. He cited landmark U.S. Supreme Court civil rights cases Lawrence v. Texas, Obergefell v. Hodges as his inspiration to pursue a legal education.
"I saw the law give me something that I didn't have before and this had a profound impact on me," Turman said.
Throughout the summer, Turman is working as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller '78 of the Southern District of Texas. He will also complete an internship in the museum counsel’s office at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Turman serves as the vice president of the Law Center's OutLaw chapter, a student organization devoted to serving the LGBTQ law student community.
