STUDENT AND ALUMNI PROFILES

Professional experience prior to Law School:

I came to UPenn directly from undergrad. However, during my summers in college, I worked as an industrial roofer...It’s a very common pre-law career.

What I Am Hoping to Do with My Law Degree:

I am looking into the possibility of working in the entertainment industry, representing musicians.

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to get to know my professors. I’ve had lunch with all four of my first semester professors, and it’s been great getting to hear about their lives outside of the classroom. Obviously, our faculty members are extremely busy people, so it means a lot for them to open up their schedules for lowly 1Ls. This is a huge benefit of life at Penn.

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

Professor Wendell Pritchett does a phenomenal job of helping us engage the law and see how it applies to everyday situations. I did not expect a class like Property to be particularly interesting, but he really emphasizes the “human” aspect of the cases and issues we discuss.

My Favorite Course:

I’m crazy for saying it, but I have actually come to enjoy Civil Procedure. The material is ridiculously convoluted, but this forces you to slow down and really think about every issue. Civ. Pro really pushes you to look for every angle to an argument. Plus, if I ever need to convince somebody that law school is as bad as the rumors make it out to be, I can just show them the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure...

An Example of How the Law School’s Cross-disciplinary Approach Influences My Legal Education:

As a 1L I haven’t had the opportunity to take any classes through the other schools at UPenn...However, I am planning on pursuing a Certificate in Business and Public Policy, which will require me to take at least three business courses at Wharton.

Penn Law is known for its collegial environment. Why is collegiality important to a legal education? How has it affected your legal education?

I’ve never been enrolled at another law school, so I don’t know how content/friendly/sane law students are elsewhere. But at Penn, I’ve literally never felt like there was any sort of competition between myself and my classmates. There is literally a website run by the school where people upload their class outlines, which can be tremendously helpful when it’s time to start preparing for finals.

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

Going to the bar to watch Steelers games and getting harassed by Eagles fans.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

Not crying the first time I was called on in class.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

I’ve joined the Penn Law Boxing Club…In the spring there is a “Fight Night” where Penn Law students box students from the Wharton School of Business. All the proceeds go toward charity, and it’s a great chance to show off the superior value of a legal education. I’m also involved in the Christian Legal Society and the Federalist Society, both of which are great groups.

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

If people have leftover food from meetings or events, they usually put it on a table in the Clock lounge...That’s worth getting excited for.

Do you still have a life outside of law?

Yes- going to law school does not mean that you have to kiss your loved ones goodbye for three years and lose your social life. A large part of Penn Law is time spent meeting people and taking breaks from the work. It is very possible – and necessary – to maintain a healthy balance. However, once final exams start drawing close, it’s time to buckle down.

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