Kathryn Wendt ’12
Psychology, Soccer
Attorney, Ballard Spahr LLP

College honors: All-Conference (2008-11), IIAC MVP (2011), NSCA All-American (2010, 2011), NSCA Scholar All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-American (2x), CoSIDA Academic All-District (3x), NCAA postgraduate scholarship, ranks in the top 10 in nine career categories, holds the single-game record with four assists

How did you balance academics and athletics as a student?

At Wartburg, I worked hard to excel in the classroom and on the soccer field. When I was training or playing games, I tried to focus on performing at my top level, and oftentimes I forgot any other stressors. But to make up for that time, I spent many late nights in the library! I also did catch-up schoolwork on Sundays whenever my team didn’t have a game.

What did you do after college?

After graduating from Wartburg, I moved to Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota Law School.

What are you doing now?

I earned my J.D. in May 2015. After passing the bar exam, I started working for a local law firm named Lindquist & Vennum. In January 2018, Lindquist & Vennum merged into the national law firm Ballard Spahr. I now continue my civil litigation law practice at Ballard Spahr.

How did being a successful student and athlete help prepare you for your next steps?

Being a student-athlete at Wartburg was amazing and helped prepare me for law school and legal practice. I learned how to multitask and effectively manage my time, which is very important for lawyers with billable-hour requirements. I also learned about teamwork and self-discipline, which impact my legal practice daily. Plus, a lawsuit—like a soccer game—involves a bit of luck. No matter how much I prepare beforehand, the ultimate result is never guaranteed. Thus, soccer games also helped prepare me for the uncertainty of lawsuits.

What was the best part of being a Knight?

I truly love Wartburg. The best part about being a Knight was spending time with my teammates. Many of us still play soccer together each week in a Minneapolis league, which is a testament to how much we enjoyed playing together in college!