Student and Alumni Profiles

What I Did Before Law School:

I worked in the tech industry as a classroom trainer, a programmer, a software designer, and a Director of Development for various small companies in the Philadelphia area, all at roughly different times.

What I Am Hoping to Do With My Law Degree:

I hope to become a trial lawyer. On a broader scale, I would always like to devote a part of my practice to strengthening the Philadelphia community in some way, whether it be pro bono or politics (or both).

My Best Experience at Penn Law:

I play poker every week with a structural engineer, a former submarine officer, a biochemistry PhD, a future bioethicist, and a woman who grew up in a national park. The students at Penn Law are an experience all to themselves, and I am continually amazed at how diverse, inclusive, and razor sharp they all are.

Professor Who Influenced Me Most:

There is such a wealth of influences to choose from here. Jason Johnston’s high standards taught me early on to think from every angle when approaching a problem. Catherine Struve’s energy, intellect, and enthusiasm for the law are inspiring, and one could do worse than to emulate her storied pre-professorial career. Kermit Roosevelt has an obvious passion for his subject matter and continues to litigate the issues that are important to him personally and to Penn Law as a whole. The practitioners I have taken classes with – John Summers, Jules Epstein and Al Cepparulo – are all experts at giving students a clear picture of how the things we learn in law school relate to the actual practice of law.

What Three Words or Phrases Would You Use to Describe Penn Law?:

Diverse, demanding, and vital.

Penn Law is Known for Its Collegiality. Why Should That Be Important to Law Students?

Law school is hard enough on its own – why add the extra pressure of uncaring or competitive classmates? Penn Law students genuinely want each other to succeed, and that plays out in a million different ways. An example from my experience: when my laptop died halfway through the first semester of my first year, dozens of my classmates offered me their notes. I didn’t even have to ask.

What Do You Wish You Had Known Before Starting Law School?

Planning for law school is like reading a book about skydiving. Neither really gives you a sense of the intensity of the actual experience. I wish I had known how much I would enjoy law school so I wouldn’t have been so nervous in the beginning.

My Favorite Philadelphia Moment:

I’ve had so many great experiences in Philly that it’s hard to choose one favorite. Watching Nina Simone perform at the smallish Tower Theatre ranks high on my list of best experiences ever, though.

What I'm Most Proud Of:

I left a thriving career in technology to come to Penn Law. It was a difficult decision that has turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made.

My Extracurricular Activities at Penn Law:

Associate Editor, Journal of Constitutional Law; Co-chair, Lambda Law; Shift Manager at the Custody and Support Assistance Clinic (a student-run community clinic).

My Favorite Place or Activity on the University Campus:

There are a lot of great restaurants on and around campus where I like to unwind with my friends after a day of classes. I also like to hole up in the Penn Bookstore, reading about anything but law to clear my mind.

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