Our Interview With June Johnson, President of the Schar Pre-Law Group at George Mason University

By the Juris Education Interview Team

June Johnson is the President of the Patriot Pre-Law Group (formerly the Schar Pre-Law Group) at George Mason University.

1. Can you tell us what’s unique about your pre-law society and your role as president? 

The Patriot Pre-Law Group, in my view, is unique in its flexibility and inclusivity. At George Mason, where students come from many different backgrounds and commitments, we strive to ensure that anyone interested in law, whether they’re working full-time or have just begun their professional journey, can succeed on their own path. We don’t require dues or attendance minimums to be a member, and all our resources, from LSAT study sessions to school visits, are accessible to all. 

As President, I've been grateful to work with our incredible leadership team and advisor to help build a culture that is responsive and energetic. We’ve created open feedback channels, expanded events based on student interest, and focused on supporting students through every stage of the pre-law journey. Our goal is to recognize and serve the full identity of each student and help cultivate a community that supports students directly. 

2. What inspired you to pursue leadership within the pre-law community at your school? 

I was inspired to pursue leadership in the community after recognizing a gap in consistent student-led engagement. At the time, our group was relatively inactive, and other specialized organizations didn’t have the same campus-wide reach. As someone who had struggled to find guidance myself, I reached out to my pre-law advisor, Professor Mink, and expressed interest in getting involved to bring more activity to the group. He encouraged me to take initiative, and I stepped into a leadership role. I’m eternally grateful for that opportunity to be a part of something larger. 

For me, it’s all about helping people. Working with a team that shares the goal of expanding opportunities for all pre-law students is what continues to inspire me in this role every day. 

3. How do members of your society typically prepare for the LSAT, and what strategies or resources have been most effective?

Students prepare for the LSAT in a variety of ways, and we intentionally avoid formal partnerships with any specific test prep providers. This reflects our belief that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to LSAT preparation. Each student’s process depends on their learning style, timeline, and starting point. While we do not formally endorse any program, we have invited a range of providers to offer teach-ins on the basics of the LSAT and share information on their resources. Our goal is to equip students to make their own informed decisions on what works best for them. 

However, we also host open LSAT study groups and mock exams. This gives students support with the opportunity to study collaboratively, as well as to experience a full practice test under timed and proctored conditions. The mock LSAT is one of my favorite events. I find it genuinely helpful to simulate the pressure of test day and practice working through the nerves in a low-risk environment. 

4. What’s one initiative your society has introduced that’s had a meaningful impact on its members? 

Our team was able to register The Schar Pre-Law Group as an official student organization for the first time and began focusing on outreach, hosting events nearly every week. We rebranded as the Patriot Pre-Law Group later that year to reflect our intent to serve the entirety of the university past The Schar School of Policy and Government. One of our most exciting recent efforts is the creation of an Undergraduate Law Review, spearheaded by the director, Karissa Rauchesien. This is a big step for both the organization and university, and I’m thrilled to see where it goes! 

5. What do you think are the skills students can gain from joining an organization like yours? 

I like to think that this organization, like many other pre-law groups, reflects a broader truth: what you put in is what you get out. While we primarily host LSAT prep and law school information events, we also offer professional development events and application workshops, which help students build both personal and professional skills. 

Beyond campus, we connect students with external opportunities as well. For example, we encourage members to attend the annual Law School Forum forum in D.C. Earlier this year, we also shared information about a live podcast taping hosted by Miriam Ingber (Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale Law School) and Kristi Jobson (Assistant Dean for Admissions at Harvard Law School), and encouraged members to RSVP and attend. 

I believe experiences like these help students build initiative and develop the confidence to seek out opportunities outside their comfort zone. It’s a skill that’s essential after graduation, yet too often overlooked. Not just putting events on for students, but empowering them to seek out education beyond campus is incredibly important to me, and facilitating this has been invaluable.

6. What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through leading a group of aspiring law professionals? 

I've found I genuinely enjoy coordinating events and synthesizing ideas to bring people together, especially when it comes to working in a team. I believe community can make differences in people’s lives, and I’ve come to understand that deeply through this role. It’s shaped both my career trajectory and the relationships I’ve built with my leadership team.

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