MBS Graduate Emily Ardolino '02 Speaks to Constitutional Law Class

MBS alumna Emily Ardolino ’02, who serves as Associate General Counsel for the Texas State University System, returned to campus on Tuesday, December 20 to speak with the Constitutional Law class about her career path, what she loves about her profession, and why the First Amendment is so important.  

Ms. Ardonlino became passionate about law after taking Constitutional Law with Eddie Franz during her senior year at MBS. “Eddie basically told me that I was going to be a lawyer,” she said. “After taking his class, he helped me set up my Senior Project in the field of law.” Ardolino worked with Beard School alumna Ileana Saros ’68, who served as Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey.   

After graduating from MBS, Ms. Ardolino earned a B.A. from Brown University and her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

In her current position, she provides legal counsel to the Board of Regents, chancellor, universities and colleges in the Texas State University System on a broad array of legal issues facing higher education. Prior to that, she worked in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, where she served as Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Division Chief – General Litigation.

“I’ve always loved First Amendment law and have litigated a number of First Amendment cases,” said Ms. Ardolino.  She spoke about how the free flow of ideas can be a dangerous concept yet it’s also what makes us a democratic society. In her current work with higher education, she often grapples with safe space vs. free speech issues.

At the conclusion of her talk, Ms. Ardolino touched on issues surrounding NCAA athletes’ ability to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL). She also advised students who are interested in law to “work on a 30-second or less summary of your case.”