With commencement just around the corner on Saturday, May 14, CWRU School of Law is featuring a few of our outstanding graduating students.
Why did you choose CWRU School of Law?
I am originally from Maryland. When I imagined going to law school, I always expected to stay there. However, when I was applying to law schools, I kept getting ads from CWRU School of Law that said things like: collaborative, community, and experiential education. These were all the things I was looking for in a grad school environment. When I spoke with people at the school, I felt that community and I knew I needed to go to CWRU.
What is your favorite memory of CWRU School of Law?
My favorite memory is with my study group my first year of law school. We were sitting in someone's apartment and we were just all trying to memorize every topic and thing we learned in Tort Law. People would say a random topic and then another student would try to explain it without looking at notes. I think this is my favorite memory because it highlights what I love most about CWRU law school: the community. I have always felt supported by the other students, faculty and staff. Being completely stressed out about final exams, but being surrounded by my friends and feeling loved and supported—that is my favorite memory.
Why did you choose CWRU School of Law?
I am originally from Maryland, and when I imagined going to law school, I always expected to stay there. However, when I was applying to law schools, I kept getting ads from CWRU School of Law that said things like: collaborative, community and experiential education. These were all the things I was looking for in a grad school environment. When I spoke with people at the school, I felt that community, and I knew I needed to go to CWRU.
Any advice for incoming first-year law students?
Do what works best for you. Whether that is how you take notes, how you handle your mental health, or how you engage in class. There is no one right way to do law school; rather, you need to learn to balance what works for you and integrate the new learning strategies into that.
Favorite course?
This is a really hard question to answer so I am going to share two classes. The first is Contracts, which is a doctrinal class that every law student is required to take in their first year. My teacher was Professor (Juliet) Kostritsky and she is amazing. She was always able to keep my attention and really helped me engage with the material at 8 a.m. It is a very hard class, but she made it fun. It was the first class that really started to shape my mind as a lawyer and bring out a strong analytical side.
The second favorite class is LLEAP 3: Transactions. LLEAP is the legal writing classes at the law school. You are required to take LLEAP 3 your second year, but you can choose Transactions or Litigation. Most of what we imagine when we think of a lawyer is litigation, so having a class that showed the other side of what being a lawyer was like was cool. Also, the class was experiential and filled with group work. We were simulating a merger and acquisition, so we had to do due diligence, draft amendments, advise our client, and do negotiations. It is a wonderful and unique experience that was built up by Professor (Matthew) Salerno. Most law schools do not give you opportunities like this.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be moving to Milwaukee to work as a Patent Lawyer at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. They are a large Midwestern law firm. I worked for them last summer and they offered me a position. The experience over the summer was wonderful. I was able to work on Patent and Trademark Office Actions, draft contracts for small filmmakers, and present to the firm on trademark issues. I am very happy to be going back to work for them.
What advice would you give to incoming first-year law students?
Do what works best for you—whether that is how you take notes, handle your mental health or engage in class. There is no one right way to do law school, rather you need to learn to balance what works for you and integrate the new learning strategies into that.
Organizations & Achievements
- Law Review, Executive Symposium Editor
- As symposium editor, I organized and designed a Symposium, AEDPA and the PLRA After 25 Years. I also work for the journal as a team leader helping to edit and review articles.
- Student Federal Bar Association, Treasurer
- Student Intellectual Property Law Association, Secretary
- Texas Regional Champion and National Finalist, USPTO National Patent Drafting Competition