HAMPTON - Going to law school helped Megan Rosenberg discover inner strength.

After a divorce in South Africa, the 28-year-old and her son, Mickey, returned to Hampton, her hometown. She then decided to pursue an advanced degree.

She studied, took the admissions test for law school and was accepted to William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minn.

Not wanting to uproot her son, about 1 year old at the time, Mickey stayed with Rosenberg's parents, Steve and Maggie Pearson, in Hampton. Rosenberg reunited with her boy on weekends.

"It was really hard being away from him," she said.

The setup required an adjustment for her parents as well.

"It's a bit challenging when you have a little one and you're 50, but we were glad we could help her," Maggie Pearson said.

And in the end, that part of the arrangement worked out well, too.

"We became very close to our grandson."

Though difficult, the separation provided balance: Rosenberg studied during the week and focused on her son on weekends. It also helped her with the "mental gymnastics" of law school. She says she avoided competition inherent in the system because she had a family.

"I think the biggest thing is it really taught me I'm a lot more grateful for what I have," Rosenberg said. "If I had done it the right way, I don't think I would have appreciated the family I have now and the degree I have now."

She was able to complete her degree in three years.

District Court Judge John Mackey described Rosenberg's accomplishment - finishing law school with a small child - as "pretty amazing."

Rosenberg graduated in May and is a judicial clerk at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse, where she does research for district judges.

"She does a very fine job finding the applications of law for the various cases that come before the judges," Mackey said.

The judge also complimented Rosenberg's demeanor.

"She's very nice to work with, very professional," he said.

Judge Stephen Carroll said Rosenberg researches some of the toughest cases the court receives and does a good job.

Toward the end of law school she married Jeff Rosenberg and recently gave birth to a girl, Lily Alice. Jeff also adopted Mickey this year.

Rosenberg said her experiences in life will make her more compassionate on her job and will also help her appreciate the work on days she would rather not be there.

"I think of what the alternative could be," she said, "and I think how much I wanted this, and how much I sacrificed and how much it motivates me."

As for the future, she plans to take the Illinois State Bar and move in a couple of years because her husband's job is based in Illinois.

"I'll for sure practice law and be a mom," she said.

Contact Laura Andrews at laura.andrews@globegazette.com.