Our Interview With Griffin Hehmeyer, President & Co-Founder at The University of Washington Debate Society

By the Juris Education Interview Team

Griffin Hehmeyer is the President & Co-Founder at The University of Washington's Debate Society.

1. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in your debate union?

Debate has a lot of clear benefits; becoming a confident public speaker, learning how to craft arguments, and finding ways to engage in successful discourse. It is a fast-track to becoming a more intelligent person. From what I have seen, the most impactful part of debate is the community it creates, enabling students to make lifelong friendships and connections.

2. How does debating help students become more confident speakers?

There are few better solutions to a fear of public speaking than debate; it is the ultimate exposure therapy. Being forced to speak again and again in a competitive environment eventually makes you numb to the fear of speaking in front of a crowd. 

3. Do you think aspiring law school applicants can benefit from joining a debate union? How so?

Absolutely. Debate looks great on a resume and helps to develop some foundational skills. It is also a wonderful chance to network with other people who are often pre-law. Talking to other pre-laws is usually the best thing you can do!

4. What advice would you give to aspiring law students who are considering joining a debate union in college but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for them?

Most collegiate debate teams are a rather substantial commitment. For example, DSUW demands an average of 10-15 hours a week from its students, mostly concentrated around tournament weekends. At the same time, debate is a truly transformative experience. Our students have found an amazing community, became wonderful speakers, and many are in the process of applying to law school. If you are interested in debate, fully commit to it and show up to every tournament you can. It is only by throwing yourself into the deep end that it can really become fully worth it. 

Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Griffin Hehmeyer to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement. Learn more about how our experts can improve your chances of getting into the law school of your dreams.