Judge Simona Dementavičienė of the Kaunas District Court has recently achieved the commendable feat of defending her dissertation at Mykolas Romeris University, all while maintaining her rigorous duties as a judge. In her conversation, she reveals that her journey through academia was driven by a passion that intertwines with her legal profession - viewing law and science not as competing pursuits but as complementary aspects of her lifelong ambition. Her dissertation is more than just an academic requirement; it represents her effort to seek systemic solutions and contribute to the improvement of the judicial system.

Dementavičienė discusses the challenges she encountered while writing her dissertation amidst her busy judicial career, highlighting the necessity for balance between the immediate demands of judicial work and the contemplative nature of academic research. According to her, while judges must make quick decisions, academia encourages a more reflective approach, which ultimately keeps one intellectually curious and prevents professional stagnation. This dual commitment illustrates her belief that engagement in scholarly work enriches her practice as a judge and enhances her contributions to the legal field.

Through this narrative, Dementavičienė not only advocates for the importance of education within the legal profession but also encourages others in similar positions to pursue their academic goals. Her story stands as an inspiring testament to the potential for legal practitioners to integrate research and academia into their professional lives, thereby fostering a more informed and progressive judicial system.