Panel: Humanities@Work Law

Humanities majors are among the most successful applicants to law schools and many of Cleveland’s top lawyers spent their undergraduate years studying history, art, English and philosophy. The Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities will host a panel titled Humanities@Work Law Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Clark Hall, Room 206. This panel, geared toward undergraduates, will discuss how the humanities at CWRU can prepare students for a career in law. Four panelists will talk about their own paths from the humanities to successful careers in corporate M&A, international law, marketing and nonprofits. Register for the event through the Humanities@Work website.

Panelists

Katie Steiner

Katie Steiner (CWR ’06, LAW ‘17), who studied art history and English, is an associate in litigation at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, a 110-year old American law firm with strong roots in Ohio. In between her BA and JD at CWRU, Steiner studied in the art history graduate program at Williams College and was a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She will discuss how her experiences in art prepared her for a career in business and intellectual property litigation.

Christopher Schmitt

Christopher Schmitt, who graduated from Hiram College in 2004 and studied philosophy and history, is the senior director of strategic development for the National Association of Manufacturers. Among his prior experiences, Schmitt has worked as a COO, chief consultant, global marketing director and in-house counsel. He also does volunteer work as the president of Ohio City Inc. Schmitt will speak about the reasons why so many Fortune 500 executives are humanities majors.

Elizabeth Vitale

Elizabeth Vitale (CWR ’14), who studied history and political science as an undergraduate, is an associate in corporate law at Jones Day, one of the world’s largest law firms, where she specializes in employee benefits and compensation. A member of the Cleveland Metro Bar Association, she also maintains an active pro bono practice, including volunteer work at local legal clinics. Students will learn how Vitale’s experiences at CWRU and Cleveland Marshall Law School prepared her to work at Jones Day.

Michael McCarthy

Michael McCarthy, who graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2008 and studied history, is associate dean of students at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Before coming to CWRU, McCarthy worked as a corporate attorney. He will speak about the qualifications and experiences that law schools value, as well as the opportunities a law degree opens for careers in educational, nonprofit and public advocacy.