Ask Mercer Law alumni about the institution's unique qualities, and many will highlight the close-knit relationships among its graduates. These connections often extend beyond professional ties, leading to marriages, job opportunities, and even shared homes.
Rizza P. O’Connor and Daniel J. O’Connor are examples of this enduring bond. Rizza met Daniel at Mercer Law while she was in her third year and he was a first-year student. The couple married in 2012 and have two children.
Rizza, who holds a bachelor's degree in business from Mercer University, started her career as an assistant district attorney before serving as chief magistrate judge for Toombs County. She made history as Georgia's first Filipino-American judge and youngest Asian American judge. In 2022, she became a partner at Bryant & O’Connor law firm.
Daniel graduated with an English degree from the University of Georgia before attending Mercer Law School. He worked at Bryant & Cook in Vidalia and became managing partner at Bryant & O’Connor in 2018.
Upon moving to Vidalia, the O'Connors found themselves near fellow Mercer alumni Reid Threlkeld and Charles Andrew, who had practiced law together for over four decades. Daniel formed professional connections with them through mutual involvement in community activities like the Kiwanis Club.
When Threlkeld and Andrew retired in 2018, they referred clients to Daniel. "My first municipal client was the city of Ailey," Daniel said, crediting Andrew for introducing him to their council.
The historic Peterson-Wilbanks House or Jenkins House served as Threlkeld and Andrew’s office until they retired. The O'Connors were initially uninterested when approached about buying it but later saw its potential as a home due to its proximity to work, school, church, and their store.
The house sale eventually went through because of the special connection shared by all parties involved with Mercer Law.
"While we wanted to make updates," Daniel noted about renovations on their new home, "it was also important to us to honor the history of the house."
Rizza expressed gratitude for their ties with Mercer Law: “Mercer Law brought Reid and Charles together...and now we get to carry on the tradition.”