Faces of the Class of 2027

Hometown: Loudonville, New York

Education: Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, B.A. in public and international affairs, minor in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies

What inspired you to go to law school? 

My mother is an elected official and a lawyer. For the past 15 years, I have watched her use an impeccable arsenal of reasoning and rhetorical skills to fiercely advocate for her constituents. Oftentimes outspoken, my mother has never been afraid to speak for the voiceless or challenge grave malfeasances in our community. 

Why Columbia Law School?

I was admitted to Columbia Law through the Leadership Experience Admission Deferral (LEAD) Fellowship Program. During my two-year deferral period, I spent a year in Belgrade, Serbia, as a Fulbright research scholar. I returned to New York in 2023, where I worked as an economic policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute. Through the support of LEAD, I was able to explore my passions in finance, political economy, and international affairs with the end goal of integrating these interests into my education at Columbia Law. I have identified areas and intersections I hope to study, particularly the relationship between the law, international affairs, economics, and data analysis. 

 What extracurricular activities are you looking forward to pursuing? 

I am interested in throwing on my boots and getting back out on the rugby pitch while at Columbia. I also hope to continue my study of Slavic languages. I already speak Serbian and Russian

What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?

The opportunity to acquaint myself with a new face every day is exciting. Peers, professors, students from other programs, and the general Morningside community—there are many new people to meet! 

What class are you most excited about?

I think my Contracts class with Professor Edward Morrison will be both intellectually stimulating and practical. Contracts are an integral part of modern life—we all sign them at one point or another! I look forward to studying the peculiarities of promise making. 

Are there any particular professors you hope to study with?

I look forward to taking classes with Professors Eric Talley, Justin McCrary, and Anu Bradford. My academic background and work experiences have piqued my interest in exploring the legal dimensions of economics and finance. Professors Talley and McCrary are experts in this field. I have also worked with Professor Talley as a research assistant prior to my 1L year. I am inspired by his commitment to integrating technical data analysis with legal research, so a class with him would be fantastic! My interest and work in the fields of European Union integration and economics make any course with Professor Bradford a natural choice. She is an authority in the arena of European legal studies. 

Is there a fact about you that would surprise people?

I am a commercial/runway model, and I participated in New York Fashion Week. 

Hometown: New York, New York

Education: Bowdoin College, B.A. in sociology and in legal studies 

What inspired you to go to law school?

I am a first generation Caribbean American, so I grew up assisting my parents with navigating the bureaucracies one encounters when living in New York. The SNAP Office, the New York public school system, even workplace issues that my parents faced as noncitizens—you name it, and it is likely that my parents probably gave it to me to deal with as a kid. I’ve always felt that a career of service was my calling due to this. I tried pursuing musical theater for a little but quickly pivoted after I read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I will always give that book credit for shifting my focus. Just Mercy helped me realize how I could leverage my love of service, and my newfound interest in the law, to level the playing field for low-income communities. 

Why Columbia Law School? 

I am from Harlem, so I wanted to attend law school in a place where I could truly be in my element. The neighborhood is familiar to me, I have close friends who reside here, and my siblings are here. The location of Columbia Law allows me to feel like myself, which, for me, is crucial to my success. Outside of the location, Columbia Law produces Supreme Court justices, leading legal scholars, and top-rate litigators. There is magic in the water at Columbia Law, and I truly believe that it is because of the abundance of legal resources in addition to the diverse and curious legal community fostered here. I came to Columbia Law to be enriched by this community and to use my experiences and acquired knowledge to enrich others. 

What are your hopes for the next three years?

Continuing to build my brand as a young legal professional, creating legal work products I am proud of like a journal note or brief, securing a spot as a teaching assistant, and building those key relationships with my law professors. I’ve flirted with the idea of becoming a professor or a dean, so I am really looking forward to the last experience. 

What class are you most excited about taking?

Evidence! A goal of mine is to work as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, so that class is one that I know will be super applicable to the road ahead. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?

A pillar of my life is paying it forward, so I would love for my legacy at Columbia to be that I was a person my peers could turn to when they were in need of encouragement or personal counsel.

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Education: Smith College, B.A. in sociology; University of Copenhagen, M.A. in advanced migration studies

What inspired you to go to law school?

I am the proud daughter of a Mexican immigrant and single mother. The domestic violence, discrimination, racism, and lack of resources that I have witnessed and, at the same time, the unconditional support, mentorship, and empowerment that I have received have all motivated me to become an attorney.

Why Columbia Law School?

I chose to attend Columbia Law School because of the support network I have in New York City and the endless possibilities and opportunities a Columbia Law education will give me.  

What are your hopes for the next three years? 

I am looking forward to making lifelong friends and pushing myself to go outside my comfort zone.

What is your most interesting New York City discovery so far?

I love exploring West Harlem! I love eating at different restaurants, meeting up with friends, and walking there. It is full of life! 

Is there a fact about you that would surprise people?

I can speak conversational Danish, and I do not know how to swim. 

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Education: Auburn University, B.S. in agricultural business and economics; Yale School of the Environment, MEM in environmental policy analysis

What inspired you to go to law school? 

In graduate school, I studied the interconnections of race, law, and the environment. Specifically, I analyzed the environmental and social conditions of Black communities in the rural South. In witnessing the numerous stories of Black people fighting for environmental justice, I was able to find common threads of the need for quality legal aid in these spaces. I wanted to come to law school to further understand the nexus of race and class in shaping land use and to equip myself with the skills to represent the communities that give me hope, purpose, and passion.

Why Columbia Law School? 

Columbia has produced prolific civil rights attorneys such as Constance Baker Motley and Jack Greenberg, titans in the field of pursuing justice. Over the past few years, Columbia has made a devoted commitment to supporting students with a passion for civil rights law and social justice. I feel that Columbia Law School is best served to equip me with the tools to combat injustice at its roots and centralize sustainable policy advancements long overdue in communities of color.

Are there any particular professors you hope to take a class with?

I am REALLY looking forward to learning from Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. I was first introduced to her work while studying critical race theory in graduate school and became immediately inspired by her seminal works around intersectionality. Professor Crenshaw has been groundbreaking in the field of civil rights law, and as an aspiring civil rights attorney, I know that learning from her would deepen my understanding of applying critical legal and intersectional frameworks into my legal advocacy.

Hometown: Garden City, New York

Education: Cornell University, B.S. in industrial and labor relations, minors in psychology and in law & society

What inspired you to go to law school?

I have always been curious about where our laws originate and how they have been enforced through our legal system. After taking law-adjacent classes as an undergraduate and working as a paralegal in labor and employment law, I knew law school was the right choice for me to grow my understanding of our government and regulatory systems and gain the skills and degree I need for the career I want to pursue.

Why Columbia Law School?

Attending the Admitted Student Program showed me the array of inspiring professional opportunities that students and alumni have through Columbia Law’s programs and network. Being in New York City, Columbia Law allows students to get deeply involved in the legal world around them and give back to the community in ways ranging from externships at the U.N. to teaching local high school students about the Constitution. In addition, I wanted to be in a vibrant, easily accessible community to contrast with the “rural” feel of my alma mater, and choosing New York City after working here for a year was a natural choice.

What hobbies or extracurricular activities are you looking forward to pursuing while at Columbia?

At Cornell, I was involved in a women’s empowerment organization, and I am excited to continue that here through Columbia Law Women’s Association. I am also excited to explore the many different comedy clubs around the city because I developed an interest in comedy by performing stand-up as an undergrad.

What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?

I am excited to reach out into the community and participate in the myriad clubs and pro bono organizations, clinics, externships, and programs that Columbia Law offers to support the vast New York City community. Additionally, I am excited about learning how to “think like a lawyer,” something that I started to get a feel for even in the first few weeks of classes.

What class are you most looking forward to taking?

Having grown up watching Law & Order and Criminal Minds, I am looking forward to taking Criminal Law to get a more legally accurate view of the cases I’ve watched unfold on television.

Has anything surprised you about  law school?

Up until this point, I hadn’t reflected on how case law written years ago can still be relevant to our modern, day-to-day choices and experiences. I hope that my courses continue to humanize the law by presenting interesting cases that speak to relevant issues in our society.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Education: Wellesley College, B.A. in English and in media arts and sciences

What inspired you to go to law school?

As the daughter of South Korean immigrants, I became an effective communicator from a very early age on behalf of some members of my family. Because of that, I have always enjoyed reading and writing; however, it took me a long time to figure out what I would like to do with those skills. I explored various fields: English literature, UI/UX programming, business news, real estate, and even the legal profession (for a brief summer). Through a process of elimination, I slowly learned that what I want out of a profession is to tackle real-world challenges. I am at law school to learn how I can offer my strengths in service to those who need them most.

Why Columbia Law School?

I believe that there is no better place to hit the ground running than Columbia Law School. This is one of the most dynamic institutions in the world, and it is located in the middle of one of the most dynamic cities in the world. From the clinical experiences to the professional opportunities, I feel that the Columbia name will open so many doors for me, even ones that I have never dreamed of before.

Do you have any hobbies or extracurricular interests that you’re planning to pursue while in law school?

Music has always been an important part of my life, so I hope to continue singing here. Since I have been a part of media operations for most of my life, I would also like to find a way to get involved with a student publication or broadcast.

What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?

I mean it with all of my heart when I say this: the community. My 1L year has just begun, and I have already met some of the most interesting and intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. They are also among the kindest people that I know. I feel indescribably lucky that I get to learn from the classmates and faculty that have coalesced at Columbia Law School.

Are there any particular professors you hope to take a class with and why?

I hope to take a class—any class, really—with Professor Timothy Wu. Throughout my career in business news, Professor Wu’s name and work were mentioned whenever Big Tech headlines hit the chyrons (which they frequently did). I have been reading his byline for a while now, so I feel that learning from him in a class setting would just bring my journey to law school full circle.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California 

Education: Loyola Marymount University, B.A. in philosophy and in English, minor in screenwriting; M.A. in creative writing

What inspired you to go to law school?

I remember being a child in family court, trying to advocate for myself, but I did not know how. At the time, I could not translate my concerns, fears, and doubts into concise legal arguments receptive to a legal system that prioritizes procedure over personal stories. As I went through primary, secondary, and higher education, I saw many more children worldwide, just like me, unable to make that translation. … I plan to be a conduit where children can navigate the American legal system. 

Why Columbia Law School?

Columbia Law School cultivates world-class trailblazers. I reached out to over 30 2Ls and 3Ls when admitted, and they expressed the opportunity-driven emphasis of the institution. I wanted to partner with a school that lives and works at the heart of American law. 

Are there any particular professors you hope to take a class with?

I plan to take Professor Shyamkrishna Balganesh’s Introduction to Intellectual Property Law course. I had the privilege of taking his Legal Methods course before the semester began, and I can attest that he inspires legal passion from thin air in any listener. 

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Education: University of Virginia, B.A. in political philosophy, policy & law, and in economics, minor in psychology 

What inspired you to go to law school?

I’ve always loved to learn and put my problem-solving skills to the test and have never been able to choose just one subject or area to focus on. I was inspired to go to law school by the intellectual challenge and broad array of applications it offers while also being able to make a difference.

Why Columbia Law School?

Besides the obvious prestige and opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best legal scholars in the country, it’s hard to beat New York City! I’m a hands-on learner, so the experiences Columbia offers with clinics and externships as well as the connections we can make at the headquarters of some of the top law firms in the country sold me. 

Are there any particular professors you hope to study with?

I’m most looking forward to learning about and making connections in the business and corporate law sectors, so I was hoping to have the opportunity to take a class with one of the leading experts in those areas—Professor Edward Morrison. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long, as I was able to take Contracts with Morrison this semester. It’s been even better than I imagined, and I can’t wait to take more upper-level courses with him in the future!

What is the best thing about living in New York City so far?

I’ve been able to reconnect with a ton of old friends who are also living here, pursuing their careers. It’s been amazing making new friends, getting to see old friends, and seeing both at the same time! 

Hometown: Macon, Georgia

Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. in media and journalism

What inspired you to go to law school?

I spent the past three years working as a culture and entertainment journalist in New York City. Through reporting, it became evident to me that many of the challenges Black and brown creatives face—claiming ownership of TikTok choreography, AI infiltrating writers’ rooms, or legacy brands copying indie Black designers—are legal issues. I decided to pursue my J.D. so I can learn about and engage with the laws that have uniquely impacted underrepresented talent and shape today’s entertainment landscape.

Why Columbia Law School?

It’s New York or nowhere. The city is one of two entertainment epicenters in the nation, home to the TV, film, Broadway, fashion, media, and publishing industries—and Columbia offers clear pathways for us students to take advantage of that. Apart from having some of the brightest copyright and IP law scholars on faculty, I was impressed by the institution's commitment to ensuring we gain concrete exposure to arts, media, and entertainment law, be it through the Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, or an externship at Sony Music Entertainment.

Do you have any hobbies or extracurricular interests that you plan to pursue while at law school?

I grew up playing basketball and tennis, but playing tennis in this city is such a challenge. I hope that since I’m a student again, I can take advantage of those Columbia courts in Inwood.

What is your most interesting New York City moment so far? 

One of my favorite parts about the city is randomly running into celebrities, but few of them have left me starstruck. In May, I happened to be on the same rooftop as Sheryl Swoopes, the first player ever signed to the WNBA, and yes, I did fangirl and get a picture with her. 

Hometowns: Seoul, South Korea, and Los Angeles, California

Education: University of California, Los Angeles, B.A. in psychology, minor in film, TV, and digital media

What inspired you to go to law school? 

I was looking to explore my interests in psychology, cannabis/psychedelics, and entertainment, and a legal perspective was a unique way to intersect all three fields simultaneously. I want to help pioneer this legal frontier while growing as a leader in entertainment law and business.

Why Columbia Law School? 

World-class education in the biggest city in the country! I absolutely loved my time in Southern California, but I wanted to get outside my comfort zone and really push myself—so far it’s been a thrill.

Do you have any hobbies or extracurricular interests that you’re looking forward to pursuing at Columbia? 

I hope to be able to continue snowboarding. Though I’m not expecting West Coast powder here, I’m nevertheless excited to visit new mountains like Killington or Sugarloaf. I also want to start seeing more Broadway shows and being able to appreciate art museums.

Is there a fact about you that would surprise people?

Throughout my life, I’ve lived in Seoul, five different California cities—Irvine, Fresno, San Diego, San Clemente, Los Angeles—and now New York. Needless to say, I find it a bit challenging to answer the ordinary question, “Where are you from?”

Hometown: New York, New York

Education: University of Pennsylvania, B.A. in philosophy politics & economics

What inspired you to go to law school?

I have lawyers throughout my family, and I have always been interested in the law. That interest only grew throughout my undergraduate studies, where I discovered the hidden relevance of law in all sorts of areas of life—including business, politics, international relations, and even sports. 

Why Columbia Law School?

I knew from the very beginning of the process that Columbia Law School was the right place for me. As the preeminent law school in the center of the legal universe—and the greatest city in the world—Columbia Law offers an unparalleled combination of professional, academic, and social opportunities.

Do you have any hobbies or extracurricular interests that you plan to pursue while in law school?

I am looking forward to joining our softball team. Spending a few hours in Riverside Park with friends sounds like a great way to end each week, and I hope to be able to travel with the team to Virginia for a tournament later in the year. 

What class are you most looking forward to taking?

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to learn Criminal Law from Judge Jed Rakoff. In general, I am very grateful that CLS provides us with a diverse set of professors to learn from, including academics, judges, and practitioners.

Hometown: Plano, Texas

Education: Duke University, B.S. in economics and in political science, minor in biology

What inspired you to go to law school? 

I worked as a commercial mortgage-backed securities trader for three years. Although it was an exciting challenge, I found myself more intrigued by the anecdotes of financial mismanagement and tangential financial crime books that I ended up reading in my free time. I was inspired to pursue a career in securities litigation to help improve the strength and transparency of our country’s increasingly complex financial system.

Why Columbia Law School? 

I believe that Columbia Law is THE dream school for pursuing securities litigation and business law in the financial heart of this country. The faculty is unrivaled in their expertise and have genuine interest in helping students understand the material, and my classmates are all accomplished, supportive, and fun. 

Do you have any hobbies or extracurricular interests that you’re looking forward to pursuing while in law school?

During orientation, I signed up for a group cardio boxing class a couple blocks away from campus. It was absurdly tough but physically empowering—I’m looking forward to taking more boxing classes over the next few years, and dragging my new friends with me!

What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?

I’m excited to make some lifelong friends and mentors through my classes, affinity groups, and professional organizations.

What class are you most looking forward to taking?

I’m most looking forward to taking Financial Crises, Regulatory Responses to learn more about regulatory responses to financial crises, the balance between crisis avoidance and resolution mechanisms, and various factors that affect systemic stability.

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Education: Emory University, B.A. in sociology and in African American studies

What inspired you to go to law school?

I have always been inspired by the enduring legacy of advocacy and community building within marginalized communities in the South. During my undergraduate studies, I engaged in archival research examining NAACP legal advocacy efforts during various periods of racial injustice and violence in the U.S. This experience fostered an interest in exploring how low-income communities of color navigate legal institutions and policies that are often fundamentally prejudiced and disproportionately harmful. Following this history, I want to do legal work that meaningfully advances civil rights and social justice, especially in the Southeast. 

Why Columbia Law School?

There are faculty members at Columbia who are developing crucial scholarship at the intersection of race, policy, and the law. I wanted to come to a place where I could learn alongside a community of people passionate about making legal institutions more accessible to everyone. I was also in love with the idea of living and studying in New York City. 

What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?

I have already begun to form close connections with my peers, and I am looking forward to growing and learning with them over the next three years. I am also looking forward to getting involved with direct service organizations like the Parole Advocacy Project. 

Are there any particular professors you hope to take a class with?

I hope to take a class with Professor Kendall Thomas. He spoke on a Connecting Columbia panel at orientation and shared a James Baldwin quote that resonated with me. I was already familiar with his work, and I am interested in learning more about legal theory through the lenses of race and capitalism.