At first sight, Irina Fox looks like the typical law student at the University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. The 29-year-old spends much of her time studying law books and preparing for class. But for this Russian mother of two, organization leader and U.S. Air force member, it took more to get where she is today than filling out admission applications and financial aid paperwork. When Fox came to Minnesota from Russia in 1999 she had $50 in her pocket and was ready to start a new life. She said she had little to live off but was willing to work. Despite her circumstances, she said moving to a new country was not that overwhelming for her. “I was 21 [years old] at the time, so I wasn’t scared of anything,” Fox said. “I just figured, you know, I’m able-bodied. I can work, and I did work at K-mart, or I did a bunch of odd jobs.” Fox said the work paid very little, but she had no other obligations so she could work all day. She did not have a bank account and could not get a credit card because she had no credit history. But Fox’s luck changed one day when she was shopping for a pair of glasses. Fox said she was offered a better-paying job at an eyeglass-frame store. She said she eventually became certified as an optician and later moved to Chicago for a better job. While in Chicago, Fox realized she had an interest in law. She said law was everywhere in America. “When you live in America, law school is kind of like the all-American experience,” Fox said. “It may not be apparent to Americans, but if you’re a foreigner, it’s everywhere. It’s on TV. It’s in every movie.” Fox said she visited John Marshall Law School in Chicago, but the tuition overwhelmed her. She said she instead turned to the U.S. Air Force, where she served for three and a half years. Fox met her husband and earned a master’s degree in international relations from Webster University in St. Louis while in the Air Force. Fox said she learned to manage her time during that period. In addition to studying, she worked nights and had her first child. After completing her master’s degree, Fox moved to Baton Rouge, the hometown of her husband Brent, who is now a University employee. By the time they moved to Baton Rouge, Fox had two children. Fox’s husband said Fox has impressed him with all the work she does and her willingness to share her opinion. “She has motivated me a lot,” Brent Fox said. “Just from her presence. She always has a lot to say.” Irina Fox was given a second chance to take a shot at becoming a law student. She was offered a scholarship to the University’s law center and started this past fall. Before Irina Fox came to Baton Rouge, she researched the law school and was excited about the Web site’s play on great international flavor. But when she arrived, she was disappointed to find the opposite. “I got this great scholarship to come to LSU law, so I felt like I had to give back. It’s all in our hands as students. We have the power to make conditions better and to create the environment we want.” This influenced Fox to collaborate with other law students to start the International Law Society – a group with the goal to make the University more internationally friendly. Olivier Moréteau, faculty advisor for the ILS, said he was impressed by Irina Fox’s vision for the organization. “She is really one of the initiators of it,” Moréteau said. “She came with a view and perspective for the students and the goals of the students for the International Law Society.” Moréteau said the group is important for developing the University’s law program to include more international features. He said Irina Fox was very dynamic and she had the view for the group. Irina Fox, who speaks Russian, English and has a working knowledge of German and Turkish, said she is also working to get a grant for a foreign language area studies program at the law school. Irina Fox is also working to re-incorporate French into the law program. Raising two children, attending law school and starting an international student program requires much of Irina Fox’s time. But she said she does not mind working hard. “I’m a nerd, and I’m proud of it,” Irina Fox said. “Whenever I have a choice of reading a casebook or watching a show on TV, I kind of lean toward the casebook. Between my kids, family and law school I really don’t have any free time left, but I don’t mind because those are the things that are kind of fun to me.” Brent Fox said his wife has a great work ethic. He said she is very driven, and he expects her to do much international work as a lawyer. “I don’t think anything is going to hold her back,” Brent Fox said. Irina Fox said she does get discouraged at times. Because she is from Russia, she had trouble with a constitutional law class. She said since she had not learned about U.S. law before coming here, she had to work “10 times harder than everyone else.” Irina Fox said she hopes to find a job in Baton Rouge when she finishes school. “I don’t really know what area of law I want to work in, so hopefully I can try it out and find what fits best,” she said.
—-Contact Sean Griffin at [email protected]