Student Profiles

What led you to pursue a law degree and why did you choose Seattle U?  

I chose law because I always knew I wanted to help people. Growing up, I thought lawyers were like superheroes. People seemed to go to them when they needed help. And somehow, they always knew the answers and how to help. In college, I was immediately drawn to classes about law and policy. In these classes, I learned the words for the experiences my family and I faced: systemic racism and racial profiling. The more I knew, the more I wanted to be involved in helping change the system. After a few years of working in both the immigration law field and criminal defense I was even more convinced that I wanted to be a lawyer. I knew the power that came with knowing the law, I knew what it was like to find yourself or your loved ones entangled with the law. Being someone who not only understood their language but also their culture made all the difference to the people I worked with. Understanding and knowing the law is a powerful tool. While it may not give me all the power to change the systems in place, it gives me the tools to think critically and help my community and others in ways that I could not do before.

I chose Seattle U because of the community. Being the first in my family to go to law school meant law school was a big unknown. I knew I wanted to help people, but I had no idea what to expect when I got here. All I knew was that law school was hard. Meeting current law students who spoke so positively of Seattle U Law made it so I could see myself here. Every student I met was excited and talked about their community and all the opportunities they had since starting law school. Everyone was so helpful, willing to answer all my questions and offer advice and outlines for how to be successful. I knew I wouldn’t be alone here.

What have you found especially valuable during your legal education?

The community at Seattle U Law is unmatched. There is so much support — from students to career advisers and professors, everyone is willing to help. I have found it valuable to go all in, take chances and do things I never thought I would do, specifically doing the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Moot Court competition, because I got to practice real-life lawyering skills in a low-stakes environment. It also teaches you so much about yourself and your style.

The networking events are also super valuable. I don’t think I have ever been in an interview where at least one attorney wasn’t a Seattle U Law graduate. Seattle U alumni are always willing to grab coffee, chat with you, and generally try to help you with school or career advice.

What do you do outside of law school? What do you love about Seattle?

Outside of law school I do my best to catch up with friends from BLS (before law school) and non-law-school related activities! Most recently I have been going to musicals with friends and also enjoying good food. I also like to visit my family who live nearby; seeing my family grounds me and reminds me why I started this journey. I love that there is so much good food in Seattle, I love the proximity to nature there are so many amazing places to explore and hike.

What advice would you offer a prospective law student?

Don’t make law school your whole life! Law school is hard and stressful just like everyone says but it doesn’t have to be your whole life. Make time for the things and people you love. I have found that I do my best when I take the time to visit my family, have dinner with old friends, or simply just take a night off. School is important but you can have fun in law school.