Finding Her Legal Path at Seton Hall Law

Shaped by international environmental negotiations, music and courtroom experience, Kyra Bostic ’27 is exploring where her Seton Hall Law degree can take her.

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Kyra Bostic didn't always know she wanted to be a lawyer. Growing up in New Jersey with both parents practicing criminal defense law, she was familiar with the profession from an early age. But it was not until she was nearly finished with her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University-New Brunswick that law school became a clear goal.

While studying environmental policy, Bostic worked as a research assistant for a professor who was part of a United Nations delegation negotiating the High Seas Treaty. She later joined the delegation as a note-taker, observing the negotiations in real time. What drew Bostic to the work was seeing firsthand how much meaning could hinge on the precise language of a treaty. Watching negotiators debate individual words and their implications showed her how legal language could shape consequential outcomes, including protections for marine wildlife.

The experience, combined with her family background, ultimately led Bostic to Seton Hall Law. A “Jersey girl, through and through,” she wanted to remain close to home and was drawn to the School of Law’s location near New York City and Philadelphia, as well as its collegial environment.

Now a second-year student in the full-time division, Bostic spends much of her time on campus. Along with attending classes, she works in the library and serves on the law journal, where she edits student articles and comments. “It’s also fun to get to read what people are writing about,” she said. When she needs a break, she turns to music. Bostic plays piano and guitar, sings and writes songs in an indie rock band. Her interest in music has also drawn her toward entertainment law as one of several possible career paths.

That range is intentional. Bostic is also drawn to environmental law, criminal defense and, more recently, business associations—a class that challenged her assumption that corporate law would be dull. Whatever she ultimately practices, she's certain of one thing: “I know I want to be in a courtroom no matter what sort of law I end up doing.”

Last summer, Bostic interned for a federal judge in Philadelphia, where she sat in on hearings, motions and arguments. The experience strengthened her interest in judicial work, and after graduation, she hopes to pursue a judicial clerkship at either the state or federal level.

As artificial intelligence and political developments continue to reshape the legal landscape, Bostic believes lawyers have an important role to play in maintaining the rule of law. “Lawyers are kind of stewards of a changing world,” she said. “It’s an old profession, so it’s been through a lot of changes, and it’ll continue to do so and evolve.”

Bostic credits much of her confidence to a broad support system — undergraduate professors, her law journal faculty adviser, bandmates, family and friends who, she said, always figured she'd end up here. “I was one of those kids where everyone would say that I should go to law school,” she said. “Growing up, I was very argumentative.”

For prospective students considering Seton Hall Law, Bostic points to the community she has found at the School of Law. “Everyone here is just really, really supportive and really wants you to succeed,” she said. “It makes the whole law school experience less scary.”

As for where her legal career will take her—litigation, entertainment law, environmental advocacy or something else—Bostic isn't in a hurry to decide. “I could see myself really doing anything where I get to learn new things,” she said, “and find new applications for my degree.”