What is your hometown and state?
Shorewood, IL
What do you love most about your family and/or friends?
What I love most about my family and friends is the opportunity to talk about any and everything with them - current events, greater purpose, etc. I also love that I have the opportunity to love and be loved by others, which I believe to be a necessary aspect of life.
What undergraduate and graduate degrees do you have? What majors/minors?
I have a BA in History, 3+3 program. I have a minor in Spanish.
Why law school and why Brandeis?
I’ve known since I was in 8th grade that I wanted to be a lawyer. I believe that the qualities I demonstrated at that age, a love of reading and strong oral skills, shaped my desire to be a lawyer. I desired to understand the law, and to understand how our society was shaped by the law. At age 17, when a University of Louisville recruiter visited the career center of my high school, I knew I wanted to go to Brandeis. She told me about the 3+3 law program, and after that I began my pursuit of a BA and JD from UofL.
How have you changed since your 1L year?
I have changed since my 1L year in that I am more established in Louisville. In the fall of 2021, I had lived in Louisville for 3 years. Just two months before law school, I got married. Since my 1L year, I’ve settled into life with my husband. Also, I have further settled into myself as a professional, whereas I previously spent much of my time working on myself in the academic sphere.
In addition to getting into the UofL Brandeis School of Law, what are you most proud of and why?
In addition to getting into Brandeis, I am most proud of myself for entering law school through the 3+3 program. Swapping a 4th year of undergraduate coursework for my 1st year of law school coursework was nerve wracking. In reality, if I failed to complete my 1st year, I would have failed to complete my bachelor’s degree on my desired schedule. It created some additional pressure for me, but I am so grateful that I was successful in that process, and I am proud of myself for accelerating my academic journey in order to achieve other life goals.
How do you define Inclusive? How do you define Excellence?
I define inclusive as the inclusion of people from various backgrounds. In my perception of inclusiveness, I am reminded of the inclusion of ideas. Not allowing some to exist in a space because they do not perceive the world in the same way as others is the opposite of inclusion. I define excellence as thriving. Those who exude excellence are thriving in something. Excellence can be in “small” or “big” ways. Simply put, excellence is the result of the successful execution of something, and that thing looks different for everyone.
What is your professional goal for five years from now?
Though I currently lack specifics, five years from now, my professional goal is to be an attorney that clients choose as representation because I have a heart to advocate for them and because I have a set of skills necessary for their issue. I desire to be known by my peers and the profession as a reliable, discerning attorney who seeks to remedy the issues before her.
Favorite quote and author or favorite piece of advice and who was it from?
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - Jesus as recorded in John 14:2-3 KJV.