Encouraging women of all ages to consider attending law school and pursue a career in the law is one of the many objectives of the Women in Law (WIL) Committee of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. The WIL Pre-Law event held on October 2, 2024, helped accomplish this objective in important ways. Held annually at the BYU Law School in conjunction with the Law Society’s Leadership Conference, the Pre-Law event includes law school tours; a keynote address or panel discussion aimed at motivating and inspiring pre-law students, current law students, and attorneys; and a networking dinner for students and attorneys.
This year’s keynote address was presented by Jane Mitchell, who earned both law and master’s degrees from Columbia University, and is a current professor and Research Fellow at BYU Law. During her address, Mitchell offered insights into “Becoming a Master of Your Thoughts” as a key to successfully navigating the rigors of law school, the legal practice, and beyond. Her inspiring remarks encouraged the over 100 women in attendance to appropriately confront their self-doubts and negative thoughts.
Quoting from Proverbs 23, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” Mitchell emphasized the 
importance of observing our thoughts, identifying untrue thoughts, and confronting pernicious thought patterns which may not be true. She reminded attendees that very often our stressful feelings are the result of an untrue thought and that adjusting our thought patterns can result in increased feelings of contentment and calm.
Mitchell also encouraged the use of meditation as a way to overcome untrue thoughts about oneself. She pointed out that the large and spacious building referenced in The Book of Mormon represents not just the “the pride of the children of men,” but also their “vain imaginations.” By using meditation to challenge the false self-narratives some might create, students and attorneys can experience greater happiness and peace.
While the WIL Pre-law event takes place at BYU’s law school, attendees are encouraged to explore and apply to law schools that best meet their needs and interests. By touring a law school, learning about the process of taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and hearing about the law school application process, attendees understand more about what is required to be admitted to law schools generally, while also providing a glimpse into the BYU Law environment. Especially helpful to attendees is the opportunity to talk with current law students who act as tour guides during the event and share information about the realities of law school life.
Special thanks goes to Jane Mitchell for speaking at the 2024 WIL Pre-law event; Rebecca Lines, 
current WIL chair of the BYU Law School Student Chapter of the JRCLS, who helped organize the tour guides and event; and Jenny Wilson, WIL committee member, for her assistance.
The 2025 Pre-law event will be on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. For more information about the WIL Committee, click here: Women in Law Committee Presentation.
About the Author
Candace was first elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in June 2012. In June 2016 and March 2020
she ran unopposed and was re-elected to four-year terms.
Previously, Candace was on the Danville Town Council from 2003 through June 2012, serving two terms
as Mayor. In her role as County Supervisor, Candace currently sits on 29 local and regional boards and
commissions addressing planning and land use, transportation, pensions, mental health, healthcare, reuse
and recycling, economic development and public safety.
Candace also served on the Morgan Hill City Council in the early 1990's. She is an attorney licensed to
practice law in California and Hawaii and began her legal career as a Prosecuting Attorney in her
hometown of Honolulu. She put her legal career on hold to serve the community and raise her family.
Candace received both her B.A. in Public Policy (1982) and Juris Doctorate (1985) from Brigham Young
University. She attended Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii from K-12.
Along with her responsibilities on the Board of Supervisors, Candace remains an active volunteer in her
church and community. She and her husband, attorney Philip M. Andersen, have been married for 37 years and are the parents
of six children ranging in age from 22 to 35, have four daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, and six grandchildren.
