Perseverance, service and justice—these core values have defined journey from military service to legal advocacy. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and a former correctional officer, his experiences fueled his passion for justice, leading him to pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. Now a graduate working in law, Flaherty’s career is dedicated to change.
Originally from La Porte, Indiana, Flaherty spent ten years in the Air Force Reserve as an aircraft and jet engine mechanic. After a brief break, he re-enlisted, realizing his service-driven calling. Simultaneously, he worked at the Indiana Department of Corrections as a correctional officer, where he encountered systemic justice issues. “I was on the disciplinary hearing board for the last year and a half of my time at the facility,” he recalled. “That’s when I started to see firsthand the inequities in the justice system.”
Ƶ’s commitment to social justice sealed his decision to enroll. “Roosevelt was founded on the principle of fairness and equity, and that resonated with me.”
At Roosevelt, Flaherty became deeply involved with the Veteran and Military Center. While navigating his VA benefits, he met director Kevin Smith, who became a mentor. Their connection led to a work-study role where Flaherty helped establish and manage the center, ensuring student veterans had essential resources. “The Veteran Center provides a hub for student veterans, whether they need help with their GI Bill, job placement, or just a place to study,” he explained. “Kevin Smith was instrumental in making sure we had what we needed.”
Balancing academics, military service and work at the Veteran Center was a challenge, but Roosevelt’s support made the difference. “Thanks to Kevin, I was able to balance everything. He expected us to work hard but also made sure we had a place to go when we needed support.” Faculty members like Paralegal Studies Program Director Carrie Lausen, as well as professors Jim Fine and Scott Gertz also played crucial roles. Flaherty shared, “Carrie Lausen was always on the spot when I had a question, I never really waited more than just a few hours to hear back from her via email, and if I wanted to go up to her office and see her, she seemed to be available almost all the time.”
He also recalled his experience with Scott Gertz: “I really enjoyed his classes. He worked very hard to make sure that we were understanding the different nuances within our Constitution and how that applies to policing, but also just in general as a citizen.”
Flaherty also credited Professor Jim Fine for his mentorship, stating, “That is somebody that not only has the real-world experience in what it's like to be an attorney, but they take that into the scholastic environment. They teach you sort of the science behind being an attorney and what the books say. And they put it all together into ‘this is what you need to know, this is why you need to know it, and this is what you’re going to be dealing with as a paralegal or as an attorney.’”
Today, Flaherty is a paralegal at a firm with a strong commitment to pro bono work. His experiences at Roosevelt continue to shape his future goals, including law school. “My ultimate goal is to work toward policy change. I believe in making incremental improvements that lead to greater justice and equity.”
For students considering Roosevelt, Flaherty advises: “Work hard, take advantage of every resource and enjoy the experience. College is an investment in yourself—make it count.”
Reflecting on his time at Roosevelt, he shared, “The networking opportunities were incredible. I met professionals from all over, including executives at major companies like Uber. Roosevelt puts you in the right place to succeed.”
Flaherty’s story embodies Ƶ’s mission, proving that dedication to service and justice can create meaningful change.
