Student and Alumni Profiles

What I Am Hoping to Do with My Law Degree:

In general, I would like to end up working in policy and politics. Ideally, I would end up working as a legislative advisor formulating environmental policy.

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

My favorite experience so far was being able to listen to Tom Goldstein, who was a member of Gore's legal team in 2000, and Prof. Tobias Wolff during a forum on Constitutional Law. I was amazed at how two very young lawyers had accomplished so much, could be so forth-coming, funny, and down to earth.

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

I think the professor that has influenced me the most so far has been my property professor, Rachel Godsil. She has had an incredible career having clerked in the 2nd Circuit, worked for Department of Justice, big and boutique law firms, and now academia. She is incredibly bright and is often willing to have lunch with us and advise about our career paths and choices. She even took the initiative of setting up themed lunches so that we could learn more about the practice of law and have some intra-section bonding.

My Favorite Course:

My favorite law school course has been Natural Resources Law & Policy with Professor Jason Johnston. In Nat Res Law, I have had the opportunity to incorporate my previous academic background in ecology & evolutionary biology, learn in depth about issues that interest me (e.g. endangered species), and been challenged by unique point of view of how best manage our natural resources.

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

I am currently a dual-degree candidate pursuing a Master's in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Policy. Penn Law has an incredible array of joint-degree and certificate programs and the one I'm pursuing simply resembles my interests perfectly.

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

Many would think collegiality is an overplayed aspect of Penn Law, but that is because it is completely true. What attracted me the most to Penn Law over other law schools was that it was an environment in which felt welcome, comfortable, and had great academic opportunities. There is not one moment I which I have felt that I am not surrounded by caring colleagues. We help each other constantly in and out of the law school. It is simply how Penn works.

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

I guess it really amounts to a collection of moments. As a 1L, my section would go every Thursday night to a bar for karaoke. What started as a small, fun night out has turned into one our little traditions. Some of us get together to watch our favorite TV shows at each of our apartments on a rotating basis. A truly amazing moment, also, was being part of the celebration and excitement of the Phillies winning the World Series and breaking the curse of William Penn.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

I'd say that it has to be my work as a legislative assistant to the Commission of Government and Security Affairs of the Puerto Rico Senate. At 18, I was writing bills, influencing which ones would become law, and serving my country. It is one of the things that I am most proud of and what drove me to pursue a law career.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

I am currently actively involved with Journal of Constitutional Law, Lambda Law, and the Environmental Law Project. Previously, I have been part of the CSR Post-Acceptance Committee and the Orientation Committee for the Class of 2011. I, also, often attend activities of the American Constitution Society.

What I Did For Public Service:

Even in my first year the public interest opportunities were numerous. I have trained and worked as an election monitor during Philadelphia Municipal Elections and the 2008 General Election. Also, I have done some pro bono work for the Environmental Law Project.

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

My favorite place/activity on campus is just sitting around with my friends on the Courtyard or the Clock. We just read a casebook, have lunch or chat about whatever comes to our minds.

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