DESCRIBING MYSELF
Brittney Herman: Advocate, Flautist, Scholar
ADVOCATE
Advocacy is a major part of my life. The terms lawyer and advocate are often used interchangeably. I am trained professionally as an advocate, so naturally, advocacy has become an important part of who I am. In my legal career, I've advocated for multiple clients. Perhaps one of the most substantial experiences I've had with legal advocacy was as volunteer attorney for refugees living in detention centers on the United States border. I assisted these individuals in their asylum cases and it was a humbling and strengthening experience.
Beyond my legal advocacy, I have also become an advocate for my nonprofit's cause, prevention of sexual assault and mitigation of its harmful effects for survivors. I have written bills and advocated in front of national, state, and local legislators for improved sexual education laws and increased resources for survivors. Some of these experiences include traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with Senator Mitt Romney and his staff, working with Utah State Representatives Moss and Romero on reformative bills, and leading initiatives to and personally contacting state and national legislators across the United States.
I have acted as an individual counselor for those experiencing sexual assault and these have been some of the most difficult, but most rewarding experiences I have had. These experiences are raw, personal, and help me to know that this work is worth it and that I am truly making a difference in the lives of others through this work.
FLAUTIST
I have been playing the flute for over a decade. I received my flute as a Christmas gift from my parents as I had expressed from a young age that I wished to play the flute. My mother is also a flautist, and so it was both an exciting way to emulate her as well as to carry on a fun tradition. I started taking traditional flute classes in middle school. I made the top band my second year of middle school, and often sat first chair.
I went on to high school, where I began participating in marching band. I was selected to participate in varsity marching band as a freshman, which was highly unusual for a large Texas school such as the one I attended. I sat first chair in the second of three bands and began learning the piccolo, a small, higher-pitched version of a flute. I fell in love and have adored playing the piccolo ever since. In my subsequent high school years I made it to first chair of the top band and acted as section leader during marching band, with the marching band show in my junior year intentionally created around featuring me as a soloist. I was selected for the state's highly-competitive regional band, bringing together students across the region. When I graduated, I earned a scholarship for my superior musicianship as well as an award for being the band's best woodwind player.
Following high school I earned a scholarship to play at Tennessee Technological University in the marching and concert bands. I was initially accepted as a music performance major, but prior to starting classes decided I would pursue a music minor alongside my English major to better support my future study of law. I played the flute and piccolo throughout my time at Tennessee Technological University and had the opportunity to play many solos in the band setting. I also had the opportunity to put on recitals. I completed four recitals during my time at the University, learning numerous hours of challenging flute repertoire.
I now have the opportunity to play with professional symphony orchestras. I was previously a member of the Timpanogos and West Valley Symphony Orchestras and relish any opportunity to play with talented musicians. I was recently in a recording of their winter concert, featuring music from Harry Potter.
I also have the opportunity to play the flute through Miss America Scholarship Competitions. In the past, I have played one of my favorite pieces, Syrinx by Debussy, an unaccompanied, haunting piece of music. I cannot wait to show everyone the piece I will be playing for Miss Ohio in June!
SCHOLAR
I have always focused on my education. I was in the top of my high school graduating class, earning multiple academic and musician's scholarships. I went then to Tennessee Technological University, where I graduated on the Dean's list with summa cum laude honors and as valedictorian of my college. During my time at Tennessee Technological University, I published and won awards for a paper I wrote which analyzed Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet from a feminist perspective. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and graduated with honors from my study abroad program for excellence in the Spanish language.
Following graduation from my University, I went on to law school at Brigham Young University where I graduated cum laude and on the Dean's list. During my time at Brigham Young University, I published and won awards for my research for a paper titled, "Sexual Education as a Form of Sexual Assault Prevention." This paper was one of the first which analyzed whether sexual education could prevent sexual assault.
Once I completed my Juris Doctor degree at Brigham Young University's Law School, I was invited by a professor to return as a full time faculty research fellow to co-author a book with him regarding Abraham Lincoln's legal career and presidency. I then co-taught a class with that same professor this semester, where we engage students in learning and writing about our Nation's 16th President. The book was completed in August 2021.
While working at Brigham Young University, I also had the opportunity to attend Georgetown University Law Center for my Master of Laws in Legal Taxation. A Master of Laws is essentially an advanced, specialized law degree. I graduated with my LL.M. summa cum laude and on the dean's list in May 2021.
I love tax law, and am thrilled to now practice tax law, specifically focusing on exempt organizations. I am currently writing and hoping to soon publish a paper regarding the ethical practice of tax law.
MY LIFE AND MY HOBBIES
About Me
GROWING UP
OHIO
CURRENT AMBITIONS
Whenever anyone asks where I am from I give the answer "from everywhere and nowhere." I was born in Utah, but grew up all over the United States, primarily in Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. This taught me about all peoples and cultures. I am the middle of five children with two older twin sisters, a younger sister, and a younger brother. I have two loving, supportive parents and many nieces and nephews.
After I completed my bachelor's degree, I returned in 2017 to attend law school at Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School. I graduated cum laude from the law school in 2020 and went on to attend Georgetown, graduating with my LL.M. in 2021. I immediately moved to Ohio for a job, which has been fantastic. I revel in the gorgeous and historical sights in the state, I enjoy the food, but most of all, I love the people of Ohio. I feel truly blessed to live in this state.
I currently work as an attorney at a law firm in Columbus. I am thrilled to be in my first year of practice as a tax attorney specifically assisting nonprofit organizations obtain and maintain a tax-exempt status so they can continue serving the communities which so desperately need their support. I love the challenging aspects of my career as well as the reward being able to help our local nonprofit organizations.