Kathleen Spight Begins Law Career Thanks to Your Support

Kathleen (Kat) Spight Coates, who attended Briarcrest Christian School on a M.O.S.T. Scholarship after 6^th grade at New Hope Christian School, was recently celebrated at a ceremony in Downtown Memphis, where she was sworn in as an attorney in the State of Tennessee.

After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in political science with a concentration in public service, she took two years off before plunging full-steam into law school at the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphries School of Law.

“In those two years, I feel like I did everything under the sun,” said Kat. “Less than a year after I graduated with my undergraduate degree, here came COVID. I worked at a bank for a few months, I worked at Kroger, and did part time work at the Boys and Girls Club in Knoxville. In those months, I started to understand that I wanted to go into the legal field.”

“I worked as a law legal assistant for a law firm in Knoxville, which helped me understand my vision and goals, and I started law school in 2021,” she said.

Passing the state bar in October 2024, Kat was sworn in before the Tennessee Supreme Court in November. She was introduced to the Court by her former professor at the U of M, Anna Vescovo, who formerly served as a law clerk for current Tennessee Chief Justice Holly Kirby.

“It was such an honor to have Anna introduce me to her old boss on that day, in that setting,” said Kat. “Here I am, basically a baby attorney a little over a month old. It meant so much to me.”

Kat currently serves as an attorney at the Downtown Memphis office of Lewis Thomason, a Tennessee-based legal defense firm that offers a host of services to a diverse roster of clients. Her role focuses on the medical industry.

“I’m in the general civil litigation group, but as a fresh associate, I work on anything the department needs me to work on. It’s really great, because that's a learning opportunity,” she said. “I’m learning and growing and getting better and better. Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, but not necessarily how to practice law. My goal for the next few years is to be learning how to practice.”

Early in what will surely be a long and impactful career in law, Kat is grateful for the launchpad her M.O.S.T. Scholarship offered.

“Without the donations M.O.S.T. supporters make, I would not have had an opportunity to do the things that I was able to do. And so many others have benefitted as well,” she said.

“Maybe it’s a single mom or dad working as hard as they can to give their kids opportunity or working families who can’t afford the same valuable education for all their kids. But donors’ gifts truly make a difference. Hopefully they understand how their generosity made a difference in my life, and any gifts in the future contribute to making a difference for others.”