“Hiram introduced me to a love of interdisciplinary studies,” says Courtni James Moorman ’98. The first in her family to attend college, Moorman found herself drawn to many areas of study while attending Hiram College. She initially majored in education with plans to complete the elementary licensure pathway, but she was also drawn to the College’s art courses. In her junior year, she changed her major to art history.

After graduation, Moorman attended The Ohio State University to earn her master’s in art history. She continued to follow her academic interests and went on to earn her law degree from the University of Michigan. Moorman now serves as the director and managing counsel of trademarks for the J.M. Smucker Company, where she manages the company’s diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Jif, Folgers, and Milk-Bone.

“I am so happy that I did not take a traditional path to law school,” she says. “Over the years, I have met several trademark attorneys who also had a background in art history. Having a different background allows us to bring a unique perspective and creative thinking skills to the legal issues our clients face. I also firmly believe that my art history background was an asset by making me stand out from the crowd when it came to getting into a top law school and in my job search.”

Out of the office, Moorman and her family enjoy hiking many of Ohio’s parks. She also serves as a leader in her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop and is an active member of her church. When reflecting on her educational and professional journey, Moorman says, “Don’t expect life to go according to your plans. Stay open-minded and walk through the doors that are opened for you, and you might find opportunities you could not have imagined.”