The COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, but for Cara Mund ’22, it also unlocked an unexpected pathway to accelerate her legal career. A Brown University alumna who transferred to Harvard Law School after her first year, Cara Mund found herself navigating the unusual landscape of remote learning. While transitioning to a new school virtually could have been isolating, Mund discovered a sense of shared experience among her fellow transfer students. “Coming into a brand-new school and trying to meet the other transfers was a unique experience, but we were all going through it together,” Cara Mund reflected.
For Cara Mund, learning remotely from her North Dakota home presented a distinct advantage. Unlike many states, North Dakota’s court system remained operational throughout the pandemic. Furthermore, North Dakota’s legal regulations allowed second-year law students to practice as student attorneys, a privilege typically reserved for third-year students in Massachusetts. Cara Mund recognized a valuable opportunity. “I thought, well, if I’m going to be getting a fully remote education, if I can supplement it with some in-person experience, I will,” Cara Mund explained, demonstrating her proactive approach to legal education.
With the approval of Lecturer John J. Corrigan ’87, Cara Mund enrolled in Harvard Law School’s Criminal Prosecution Clinic, an opportunity generally exclusive to third-year students. This pivotal decision allowed Cara Mund to gain practical experience as a student attorney in the Morton County State’s Attorney’s Office. This hands-on experience proved invaluable, offering insights that a traditional classroom setting couldn’t replicate.
“We had some hearings over Zoom, but a lot was happening in person,” Cara Mund recalled, emphasizing the blend of virtual and real-world legal proceedings she encountered. The smaller scale of the North Dakota office also provided unique benefits. “I really had substantive opportunities. Day two, I had the chance to be in front of a judge,” Cara Mund noted, highlighting the rapid immersion into the legal system. Attributing her success to the mentorship at Harvard Law and the supportive environment of the North Dakota attorney’s office, Cara Mund stated, “I was able to feel like I was making an impact in the state of North Dakota.” This early practical experience was instrumental in shaping her approach to law.
“It was an incredible opportunity to not only get that clinical experience but also to build advocacy skills,” Cara Mund emphasized, recognizing the long-term benefits of her pandemic pivot. “I’m fortunate that both my health and North Dakota allowed me to have that experience. It really set me up coming to Cambridge as a 3L to have that background.” This experience provided Cara Mund with a robust foundation as she continued her legal studies at Harvard.
Cara Mund’s path to law school was already distinctive, marked by her achievements as a competitive choreographer, dancer, and notably, as Miss America 2018. Having trained with the Rockettes during high school, Cara Mund’s victory in the Miss America competition was historic – she was the first, and to date, the only Miss America from North Dakota. This milestone brought significant recognition to her home state, which had never before placed in the top five. Her Miss America gown is now a celebrated exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum, symbolizing her groundbreaking achievement.
“It truly opened doors for me,” Cara Mund acknowledged, reflecting on the opportunities Miss America afforded her to engage in public service. During her national role, she served as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and collaborated closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cara Mund also dedicated her time to supporting troops domestically and internationally through the United Service Organizations. These experiences underscored her commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Despite the incredible platform Miss America provided, Cara Mund also encountered significant challenges. She described the reality as “not rainbows and butterflies,” referencing the organizational changes that occurred shortly after her win in September 2017. A new management team took over in December, which initially seemed like a positive shift.
“At the time it just seemed like this was going to move the organization in the right direction,” Cara Mund recalled. However, she soon faced belittling and harassment, beginning with a startling comment from the new CEO: “Wow, you’re a lot smarter than I thought.” In response to the mistreatment, Cara Mund penned a letter critiquing the organization, despite her previous praise for its scholarship provision for women. Due to contractual obligations requiring all public communications to be vetted by the organization, Cara Mund was compelled to remain silent publicly and rely on legal counsel. This challenging period underscored the importance of advocacy and legal protection.
This public battle, while difficult, “made me a stronger woman,” Cara Mund affirmed. It also illuminated “the value of a pro bono lawyer, an advocate who had my back,” further solidifying her path toward law. While early influences like her aunt and uncle, both judges, initially sparked her interest in law, this personal experience cemented her resolve and clarified “what kind of lawyer I want to be.” The experience transformed her perspective on the power of legal advocacy.
“That made me realize the impact of my voice,” said Cara Mund, who has since become an international motivational speaker. “Everything built off of the Miss America experience,” she explained. “It prepped me to be the best oral advocate that I can be, to think well on my feet, and to know the importance of networking and building relationships.” Miss America was not just a title but a crucial stepping stone in her development as a future legal professional and public figure.
Her Miss America journey solidified her commitment to public service. “I had incredible opportunities as a 23- and 24-year-old, but now I need to take those opportunities and translate them into continuing to impact other people, continuing to do good in the world, and continuing to shatter barriers.” Cara Mund is determined to leverage her experiences and education to effect meaningful change.
Looking ahead, Cara Mund is focused on politics. “I’ve said for a very long time, even when I was competing at Miss America, that I wanted to run for office, especially back in North Dakota where there’s not as much female representation. We’ve never had a female member of the U.S. House of Representatives. We’ve never had a female governor.” Her political aspirations are deeply rooted in her desire to represent and uplift her community.
This year, Cara Mund broadened her Harvard Law experience by joining the Criminal Justice Institute, working with faculty deputy director Professor Dehlia Umunna. This further demonstrates her commitment to diverse legal experiences and social justice.
“Cara Mund is an outstanding CJI student,” Professor Umunna praised. Highlighting Cara Mund’s exceptional work ethic, Umunna noted, “her zealous advocacy and exemplary work ethic were on full display as she represented her clients. Ms. Mund had the opportunity to represent her client before the Appeals Court on April 14. Less than two weeks later, she tried a case in Roxbury District Court on behalf of a different client, where the jury reached a ‘not guilty’ verdict in less than twenty minutes. Her resilience and tenacity — and compassion for her clients — are refreshing and highlight the best practices expected of those who advocate on behalf of marginalized demographics.” Professor Umunna’s words underscore Cara Mund’s exceptional capabilities and dedication to her clients.
Through her defense work, Cara Mund has embraced a broader legal perspective. “That goes to how I want to eventually be in politics, realizing that there are two — or even more — viewpoints,” Cara Mund explained, highlighting her commitment to understanding diverse perspectives, a crucial attribute for a future politician.
For Cara Mund, winning Miss America was indeed a moment of “shattering barriers,” demonstrating the power of hard work and determination. She aims to utilize her legal education to amplify this impact. “I would love to use my legal education to impact policy either at the state level or at the national level,” Cara Mund concluded. “I want people to know me as Cara, not as Miss America,” emphasizing her desire to be recognized for her legal and political achievements, building upon her past experiences while forging her own distinct path.
