Student and Alumni Profiles

Professional Experience Prior to Law School:

Prior to coming to Penn Law, I worked with alumni and students as an Assistant Director in Penn Alumni Relations. I also worked for the Franklin Institute Science Museum on a part-time basis as a freelance researcher and writer for the Case Files Online Exhibit.

What I Am Hoping to Do With My Law Degree:

This summer, I am proud to be working for the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in Washington, D.C. In the fall, I hope to explore my interest in Labor & Employment law as an extern in the Philadelphia field office of the National Labor Relations Board.

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

The Pumpkin Carving Contest. Each year, the Law School hosts a pumpkin carving contest complete with hot cider and gingersnap cookies. I have yet to win, but I have one more shot next year!

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

Professor Michael Knoll was one of my favorite professors. Professor Knoll's deep knowledge and obvious enthusiasm for the Tax Code inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and persist in taking Federal Income Tax.

My Favorite Course:

Administrative Law with Professor Matthew Adler was my favorite course both because of Professor Adler's contagious energy and because of my interest in government agencies. This course gave me a better understanding of the interplay among the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and of the operation of agencies like the EPA and the SEC.

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

I am a joint degree candidate, pursuing my J.D. and my M.S.Ed. in Education Policy. My joint degree allows me to explore the education policy issues which are of interest to me, and to appreciate the intersections of law and policy.

Meaningful Cross-disciplinary Experience at Penn:

I am part of an interdisciplinary dinner group. This informal dinner group meets every week, and has given me the opportunity to meet graduate students from across the University and to learn about the interesting work they are doing. Activities like this give me an appreciation for the breadth of scholarship taking place at Penn, and make me proud to be part of a University whose students are pursuing so many distinct, and yet related, courses of study.

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

Collegiality is important to a legal education because it makes the day-to-day experience of being a law student more enjoyable, and because it leads to strong professional relationships in the future. The friends I have made at Penn Law keep me smiling during finals, share casebooks and outlines with me, and make me look forward to coming to the Law School.

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

I live a block away from the Avenue of the Arts, and love using my student discount to see beautiful plays, operas and ballets at the Academy of Music, the Wilma and the Kimmel Center.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

I am proud of my involvement with Philadelphia Futures. Through this Philadelphia mentoring program, I have mentored a Philadelphia public high school student and have been proud to see her accepted to college.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

I am active as a tour guide for Penn Law and was a member of the Post-Acceptance Committee during my 1L year. As a 2L, I served on the board of the Penn Law Women's Association. We were proud to host the Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell as the Keynote Speaker for our 2009 Annual Dinner this past April.

What I Did For Public Interest:

I volunteered for the Education Law Center. This Philadelphia non-profit is a wonderful advocate for students, working to bring about school reform, and specifically addressing issues relevant to students with disabilities, to students who are English language learners, and to foster care and juvenile justice.

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

My favorite place on Penn's campus is the Fine Arts library. Featured in the movie Philadelphia, this beautiful library is both a quiet study space and a magnificent architectural feat. I love its open reading room, winding stair cases and stained glass windows.

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