Tom McMullen (MSL ’18) is a front-line problem-solver. As special assistant to the provost and compliance officer for research and academic facilities at the University of Maryland, College Park, his campus relies on him for everything from untangling memos of understanding with companies doing new construction on campus, to managing complicated electrical upgrades in the facilities he oversees. Legal implications, he says, are “deeply entwined” in every aspect of his job.
That is why McMullen, who already holds an MBA and a master’s in civil engineering, was drawn to Maryland Carey Law’s Master of Science in Law program, which allowed him to specialize in homeland security and crisis management.
“The readings and case studies in the program,” he says, “gave me a lot of insight for moving forward in the multitude of minor crises I face every day.” Not to mention tools to manage a natural disaster or building collapse, should a major emergency of that magnitude ever occur.
Meanwhile, the program’s foundational courses covering topics such as contracts, dispute resolution, ethics and regulatory processes sharpened his ability to negotiate building contracts. “The law classes really helped me,” says McMullen. “I am more tuned in now to the precision of wording in these documents, so I can avoid problems in the future when agreements are coming to the end of their date.”
Not that he has any plans to leave College Park, the Silver Spring native stresses, but he also appreciates being prepared for career advancement, perhaps within an emergency management group like FEMA.
“The MS in Law opens doors of opportunity,” he adds.
One of those opportunities was to complete a capstone project exploring the intersection of McMullen’s practical work in civil engineering and project management, and the law. In his final semester, McMullen investigated the historic St. Francis dam collapse, which triggered a devastating rush of water destroying property and taking over 400 lives. Earlier in his career, McMullen had researched the collapse for his master’s thesis in civil engineering. This time, he dove into the tragedy from a legal perspective.
McMullen also says he was impressed with the caliber of professors teaching the classes, especially Michael Vesely, senior law and policy analyst at the UMB Center for Health and Homeland Security, who has consulted for the U.S. State Department, Office of Anti-terrorism Assistance, and spoken before NATO on terrorist threats. “I was listening to the radio in the car,” recalls McMullen, “and there was my professor on the air talking about a homeland security issue. That doesn’t happen every day.”
But McMullens’ favorite part about the program may have been the chance to make the endeavor a family affair. He graduated alongside son Robert, who specialized in Patent Law and went on to pass the patent law bar exam, which doesn’t require a JD. Even though father and son had separate areas of specialization, they did share some classes and enjoyed studying together. “Robert did very well in the program and was a good person to work with,” says McMullen proudly.
Coming so highly recommended by his family members, McMullens’ other son Evan also signed on and is currently specializing in Environmental Law. Robert, who lives in Philadelphia now, is already making plans to attend Evan’s graduation in the spring, reports McMullen, adding, “We’re looking forward to a reunion at Maryland Carey Law.”