So will receive $2,500 to continue her education at Penn Carey Law.
SARASOTA, FL, December 16, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Law Place Law School Scholarship promises $2,500 to a student who celebrates the influence that a legal hero, living or dead, has had on their ambitions and future. This year, Abigail So's moving essay about the influence of her research mentor, Dr. Bermant, revealed that legal heroes are as likely to be found outside the courtroom as in it.
So is currently a 1L at Penn Carey Law and intends to work as a transactional attorney upon her graduation. However, she notes that she was inspired to attend law school after a year-long research experience during her undergraduate studies. Per her essay, So spent a year working with Dr. Bermant to forge an academic connection between psychology and legal practice.
She notes that she came to this original research opportunity somewhat reluctantly, but then flourished as Dr. Bermant pushed her to find a subject she was truly passionate about. After diving into Dr. Bermant's law school experiences, So found herself drawn to the subject of false admissions of guilt.
"I read everything I could find: landmark cases, psychological studies, interrogation transcripts, wrongful conviction stories," she says. "It was chilling and addictive—this deeply human, deeply legal issue. I quickly learned that false confessions don't happen in a vacuum—they're often the result of long, high-pressure interrogations paired with human vulnerability."
Continuing conversations with Dr. Bermant led So to consider pressing questions about today's legal system, including what fair interrogations should look like and whether psychologists have a role in legal reform. The most important question that Dr. Bermant asked her, though, was what she intended to do with the knowledge she'd gained throughout her studies.
"His questions became my calling," says So. "He lit the flame and kept it burning with every conversation…Dr. Bermant became more than a mentor—he became my hero. Not because he stood in a courtroom or wrote landmark opinions, but because he showed me that the law isn't just about rules. It's about people. It's about psychology, power, vulnerability, and truth. And it's about asking the questions no one else thinks to ask."
Today, So is among the next generation of movers and shakers who will bring a new perspective to the legal industry. Her passion for critical thought and the betterment of the system suggests a bright future for her. The Law Place and its Sarasota personal injury lawyers are thrilled to offer her $2,500 to dedicate toward her continuing education.
About The Law Place
The Law Place and its team of experienced criminal defense and personal injury lawyers take pride in helping Floridians understand the law. Floridians in need of legal advice and representation can turn to The Law Place for a chance to work with experienced litigators who won't back down from complicated cases.
The Law Place's team consistently updates its knowledge of Florida laws to reflect the state's newest rulings. The firm's clients can count on its attorneys to provide them with knowledgeable and compassionate service, no matter what kind of case they intend to pursue.
Interested parties can contact the firm today to book a free case consultation with an experienced attorney. The Law Place fights for Florida.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by https://www.24-7pressrelease.com
