Student and Alumni Profiles

Professional Experience Prior to Law School:

I have done many internships, such as a summer interning at the Public Defender’s office, a summer with Equality PA, and I spent a year performing research for a Constitutional Law organization.

What I Am Hoping to Do with My Law Degree:

I hope that I can use my degree to get into litigation. I find that the idea of being in a court room and performing oral arguments to be something I can see in my future.

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

The best experience at Penn Law is that there is always some event going on in the building. Just walking around the halls, there are always academic discussions going on amongst students about the field of law and current events. Not to mention, there are many student groups that put on events to help others to enhance their knowledge outside of the classroom.

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

That would be my property Professor Shyam Balganesh because he only calls on you once a semester but it is randomly and for over fifteen minutes. Because he calls you for a longer time period, it forces you to really engage the material and think critically about what he is going to ask. Most professors will call on the next person when you do not know the answer, but Professor Balganesh forces you to really think about the material by not giving you that safety net.

My Favorite Course:

My favorite course would be a tie between torts and property. The concepts in those courses are very relatable because one sees tortious acts in the news frequently, and everyone has tangible experiences with property. Because of the ability to relate to the knowledge, the courses are very engaging.

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

While I do not personally envision myself applying for the dual degree at Penn, I love the fact that other students pursue Cross Disciplinary degrees. This brings a fresh perspective in the classroom environment. When the professors try to explain concepts behind cases that are not based in law, there is always a knowledgeable student that is willing to help the class to understand. This interaction transforms the cases to tangible concepts that help to spark discussions.

Meaningful Cross-disciplinary Experience at Penn:

I recently went to a discussion on the problem with looted antiquities that many Art historians also attended. At the discussion, I discovered that I have a serious interest in pursuing art law. This revelation would not have happened if I did not go to a school that fostered Cross-Disciplinary studies. After the discussion, I now watch many documentaries that deal with the law and Art.

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

Law school is stressful in its nature as it is unlike anything that most have experienced. The nice thing about the collegial environment is that it makes you feel secure to take risks and to speak your mind in class. In that risk taking, intellectual growth happens. If you get a question right wrong there are always many classmates that support your answers. Students and professors are very approachable and always willing to help!

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

I am from Philadelphia originally, so I have many favorite experiences in the city. One thing that I have recently come to love is the fact that Penn offers many free tickets to local arts events.  As a student, you can use your Penn ID to get cheap tickets. Also Penn sends out emails of free tickets to local classical concerts where tickets are set aside for Penn students.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

I am proud of how much I have grown personally and academically at Penn. With the Socratic method, I am able to answer faster on the spot, and I have become better at communicating effectively.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

I am a member of the Black Law Student Association.

What I Did For Public Interest:

I haven’t had a chance to begin this because I am still a 1L. One thing that I did do this semester is help canvas for the Educational Justice Fund where local businesses give donations in efforts to fundraise for students interested in public interest work over the summer.

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

The Fisher Fine Arts library. It is a beautiful building on the inside, and a quiet relaxing place to study.

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