Many different paths, one Harvard Law School

Where I’m from: Palmer, Alaska

Undergraduate institution: Wellesley College

What I was doing before law school: For the past year, I’ve worked at the Alaska Department of Health supporting Alaska’s Medicaid and Rural Health Transformation programs. Before that, I was far from home in Washington, D.C. focused on rural health policy development for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

My hobbies and interests: I’m in a percussion group (shoutout to the Matanuska Beat!) and played club water polo in college. I hope to hop back into the pool while in law school.

An interesting fact about me: I can hypnotize a chicken! 

What I’m looking forward to: I’m excited to learn alongside an incredible cohort of classmates and understand how to use the law to amplify community-led solutions. There are amazing HLS alums who are pioneering new and exciting health law and policies and I can’t wait to hopefully follow in their footsteps.

Where I’m from: Long Beach, California

Undergraduate institution: Stanford University

What I was doing before law school: After graduating last spring, I spent a year working at Stanford managing finances and resources for the hundreds of student clubs on campus!

My hobbies and interests: Reading novels, watching movies, trying new restaurants, spending time with friends, and curating Spotify playlists.

An interesting fact about me: I starred in a few commercials as a child actor!

What I’m looking forward to: I’m so excited to meet my classmates and professors and to build community with others interested in the law.

Where I’m from: I grew up in Washington, but was born in Cambridge.

My undergraduate institution: University of Washington. 

What were you doing before law school? School; I went straight through. 

My hobbies and interests: I am a big Seahawks fan and will try to catch most of their games this year.  I enjoy board games, card games, skiing, backpacking, reading, and hanging out watching shows with my girlfriend and two cats. 

An interesting fact about me: I published a book at 8 years old. You can still find it on Amazon. 

What I’m looking forward to: Getting to know everyone, in particular everyone in the best section, Section 3. 

Where I’m from: I’m from Baltimore, MD

My undergraduate institution: Wake Forest University

What I was doing before law school: I graduated from Wake Forest in May with majors in philosophy and Russian language and a minor in bioethics. During undergrad, I completed a year of service with Public Health AmeriCorps, contributing around 1,000 hours at a community clinic serving underinsured patients in the Winston-Salem area. Today, advancing justice in healthcare remains a driving motivation for me in law school. I also spent my time volunteering as a Young Life youth mentor at a local high school and as a shift leader for a campus food-repurposing program! Most recently, during my senior year, I worked as an instructor and tutor for my LSAT alma mater, Blueprint.

My hobbies and interests: I love to do all sorts of crafts, like crocheting, sculpting, or anything DIY. I also love puzzles, video editing, and looking for new restaurants!

An interesting fact about me: If you come over for dinner, I might whip up some homemade sushi.

What I’m looking forward to: I’ve always loved volunteering, so I’m very excited to discover the new opportunities for service that will open up as my legal education progresses. I’m especially curious to see how the skills I develop in law school will expand the ways I’m able to contribute to my community alongside my classmates!

Where I’m from, and where I went to law school: I am from the Ardennes, a rural and hilly part of southern Belgium. I moved to Brussels for law school, about an hour and a half from home, which felt like quite a move at the time. In Belgium, law school starts right after high school, so I have been studying law since I was 17.

What I was doing before HLS: Before coming to HLS, I spent a year in the Corporate/M&A practice at Cleary Gottlieb in Brussels, working with colleagues from across Europe. It was a great introduction to working in an international environment, and hopefully good preparation for meeting people from even further afield at HLS.

My hobbies and interests: I enjoy running, but I am an even more enthusiastic spectator, especially when it comes to cycling and sailing. I am therefore looking forward to exploring Boston’s sports scene, both on and off the field.

An interesting fact about me: I am a part-time beekeeper. Back home, I keep a dozen or so hives with my family. I will not pretend to know what this says about me, but I do enjoy spending time around my bees. They are in good hands, though: my father is taking care of them while I am away.

What I’m looking forward to: Two things, really, although they are interrelated. First, the community: HLS brings together people with very different backgrounds and goals, but who all share a real excitement for learning. Second, the energy that comes with it: with so many sharp, curious people in one place, I imagine ideas are constantly being exchanged, in class and outside of it.

Where I’m from: I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland.

Undergraduate institution: I went to Boston University for my bachelor’s degree, where I studied political science with a minor in English.

What I was doing before law school: Before law school, I worked at a law firm in Boston for two years as a project analyst, where I rotated through four different practice areas and also coordinated pro bono clinics, worked on various pro bono cases, and got involved with the Boston community through different service efforts. I also served on my church’s production team and coached students in our college ministry.

My hobbies and interests: I love cooking and food in general. I grew up making different Nigerian meals with my mom, and now I love hosting dinners and introducing people to the cuisine. I also love sneakers and fashion, so I’m always reading about new lines, unique collaborations, and designers who are willing to experiment, like Grace Wales Bonner or Virgil Abloh.

An interesting or surprising fact about you: In true Nigerian fashion, I was given 12 names at birth!

What I’m most looking forward to: I’m looking forward to a new way of learning/thinking. I really enjoy interacting with people from different backgrounds and coming to understand their perspectives on the world. We’re all so different, and I’m excited that the HLS community, including students and faculty, welcomes that fact and sees it as an advantage. I look forward to being stretched in the way I think about the world, both in and out of the classroom.

Where I’m from: I’m Egyptian-American, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.

Undergraduate institution: I went to NYU for undergrad, where I studied politics and played college soccer.

What I was doing before law school: I went straight from NYU to law school — but before college, I played soccer professionally as a teenager, including a stint in Cairo, Egypt.

My hobbies and interests: Outside of school, I enjoy staying active, whether that’s running, cycling, or playing soccer. I also like traveling, art, trying new restaurants, and going out to dinner with friends.

An interesting fact about me: I’m the only ginger in my family.

What I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to exploring classes I might not have otherwise taken, getting involved in the HLS community, and meeting all the incredible people here.

Where I’m from: Avon, CT

My undergraduate institution: Colgate University.

What I was doing before law school: I was a professional staff member for the House Judiciary Committee, where I conducted oversight of threats to Americans’ First Amendment rights and helped advance legislation to protect Americans’ civil liberties. My portfolio also included proposed constitutional amendments, two of which advanced out of committee this [congressional session].

My hobbies and interests: I was on the golf team at Colgate and still play recreationally and competitively. I’m also looking forward to rooting for the Yankees in enemy territory this October!

An interesting fact about me: I have a collection of nearly 1,000 golf scorecards. When I was little, I wrote letters to famous courses throughout the country asking them to send a scorecard for my collection, and most of them obliged!

What I’m looking forward to: I worked adjacent to the law for two years, picking it up by osmosis or training myself on what I needed to know. Now, I am excited to learn the law in a systematic fashion and fill in the (many) gaps in my knowledge of it. I am looking forward to the academic challenge, and finding my niche in the HLS community.

Where I’m from: I’m originally from Princeton, NJ

What I was doing before law school: At Johns Hopkins, I competed on the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Team. After graduating from Hopkins, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for two years in Southwest Philadelphia. While I was teaching, I also coached lacrosse.

My hobbies and interests: Since my collegiate athletic career ended, I have been competing in triathlons — I love staying active and being outside. I am also an aspiring at-home barista, specifically a cortado aficionado. Recently, I have gotten into flower arranging and do my best to share a bouquet each week with a friend or family member. 

Interesting fact about me: The TV show “Abbott Elementary” is largely based on the school I taught at because Quinta Brunson’s mom was a kindergarten teacher there! 

What I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to connecting with my classmates and learning from their diverse experiences. It is such a unique and exciting opportunity to be in a place with such brilliant, driven, and interesting people. I cannot wait!

Where I’m from: Sydney, Australia

Where I went to law school: University of New South Wales

What I was doing before HLS: After graduating from law school, I spent a year as a law clerk to a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales where I assisted in researching and drafting judgments in commercial proceedings before the Court. Since then, I have been working as a lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, specializing in cyber and technology litigation. At HLS, I am excited to continue exploring my interest in the regulation of emerging technologies.

My hobbies and interests: I love to travel and the opportunity it provides to meet new people and experience different cultures. I also enjoy trying out new adventure sports like skydiving and abseiling, watching crime documentaries and chasing sunsets!

An interesting fact about me: I have lived in the same house in Australia my whole life, so Cambridge is (both literally and metaphorically) my second home!

What I’m looking forward to: I am excited to learn from my intellectually curious and diverse classmates and engage in interesting discussions about challenging global issues. I am also looking forward to working on novel, real-world technology litigation through the Cyberlaw Clinic.

Where I’m from and my educational institutions: I grew up in Recife, a city in Northeastern Brazil. After high school, I moved to São Paulo for my undergraduate law degree at the University of São Paulo. Last year, I came to HLS for the LL.M. While I am used to being far from my hometown by now, I am always looking forward to spending time with my family and seizing every chance we get to be together. There’s a beautiful word to describe that feeling in Portuguese: saudade.

What I was doing before law school: High school. I was a bit surprised to realize I have been in law school for six years straight. It has been anything but monotonous, though. Each phase had its pros and cons and I am always learning something new. Being in law school can be quite transformative and it is a privilege to get to study the law from different perspectives.

My hobbies and interests: I enjoy hanging out with friends, reading a good novel over the weekend and listening to music. Since I was a child, I have been curious to learn new languages and explore different cultures. I also love cooking, something I picked up from my dad. When I want to take a break, I do arts and crafts, visit cafés and bookshops or stop by the Hemenway gym. I also enjoy board games and watching competitive sports. I am a big fan of Brazilian bossa nova, bolo de rolo, and the Seleção. My faith is a central part of my life and I enjoy making time for prayer and reflection. This year, I am looking forward to getting back into ballet after a very long break.

An interesting fact about me: I lived in Paris as an exchange student a few years ago. At the time, I started collecting fridge magnets from every place I visited, which I later gave to my mom as a gift. I remember getting together with some friends from different countries to try a new cuisine every month. I became particularly close with another exchange student from Australia, and she even came to visit me in Cambridge. We have a handful of funny stories from our low-budget trips across Europe. In the end, I got to visit my cousins in Switzerland and Scotland, which made it even more special.

What I’m looking forward to: I expect the S.J.D. to be quite different from the LL.M. and I am excited to see where it takes me. I am looking forward to learning more from supervisors, professors, classmates and staff, and growing as a researcher and a person. I am also excited to catch up with old friends and make new ones, particularly in the S.J.D. community. In the years ahead, I plan to study the effects of economic nationalism on dealmaking, and I am very lucky to have Professor John Coates as my main supervisor. While I don’t know yet where this research will take me, I like to think of academic life as a continuous search for answers to our questions. I look forward to listening more closely, wrestling with ideas I don’t agree with, and challenging myself. In the end, I hope to have found my own voice in the conversation, but I would be glad to come out with a few answers (and twice as many questions).

Where I’m from: I am from Murcia, Spain (you might know it thanks to our tennis player, Carlos Alcaraz).

My educational background: I studied law and business administration at the University of Murcia and later pursued an LL.M. in European Union law at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

What I was doing before HLS: I worked as a lawyer at the law firm Garrigues in Brussels, where I specialized in antitrust law, digital regulation, and I also handled some EU trade law cases.

My hobbies and interests: My hometown has incredible beaches, so I love spending time by the seaside, even if it is just for a walk on the sand, to watch the boats leaving the port, or to contemplate the sunrise. I also love Pilates and matcha (yes, I am one of those!), going to the cinema, attending concerts and live musicals, and exploring art museums (I especially love the Impressionists!).

An interesting fact about me: Surprisingly, I learned how to ride a bike not so long ago … It proves that I am always open to acquiring new skills and learning new things!

What I’m looking forward to: Studying at HLS has been a dream of mine for so long that I simply want to make the most of the experience in every sense. I cannot wait to meet new people, make new friends from all around the world, and learn more about other cultures. I am also really looking forward to attending lectures by some of the professors whose work I have been reading for so long, and to learning from them and my peers (and hopefully overcoming my fear of cold-calling!).