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MELISSA
ARBUS
Robert E. Goldsten Award for Distinction
in the Classroom
Law School Alumni Association Award for Academic Excellence
 Why
you wanted to be a lawyer?
I've always been interested in legal topics, from about high school
on. I can probably attribute that to my father (who is also an
attorney)—I think he definitely deserves a lot of credit
for my career choice.
Scholarly interests/specialties?
Constitutional law, criminal law, first amendment, civil rights
law
Favorite class?
Civil rights litigation
Favorite professor?
Professor Coughlin (although that is a hard one!)
Best learning experience?
Probably serving as Notes Development Editor of the Law Review
Activities at the
Law School? Law Review, tutoring
Future plans?
Next year I will be clerking for Judge Diana Motz in the 4th Circuit;
in fall 2004 I begin my clerkship with Supreme Court Justice John
Paul Stevens.
Best summer experience?
Working for Judge Peter Messitte (District Court judge in Greenbelt,
MD) my first summer—I think working for a judge is one of
the best ways to spend your first summer because it gives you
great exposure to the entire legal process over a wide range of
subjects.
What you wish you
could do over? There are a number of classes, and in particular,
professors that I never got around to taking. I wish I could do
that over.
Favorite spot on
grounds? Spies Garden
Favorite spot off-grounds?
Bodo's (bagel shop)
I knew I wanted
to go to Virginia when: As soon as I met the students...
Advice for entering
students? Take advantage of your three years here and enjoy
yourself—they go by way too quickly!
 ELAINA
L. BLANKS
Thomas Marshall Miller Prize
Why you wanted to
be a lawyer? My love of the
law began back early during my grade school years. My parents
and family were extremely devoted to making sure that, as an African-American
woman, I knew the true history of this country and its affect
on African-Americans. They informed me of their own struggles
and challenges in receiving a fair education and the obstacles
and successes that they have endured as a result of the changing
laws in this country. It is the combination of those two educations,
formal and family, that ignited a desire for me to enter the legal
field and become a lawyer. That desire remained strong throughout
college and thankfully, continues to this day.
I am thankful that
God has allowed me to achieve the goal of receiving a law degree
and pray that I will use my education and training to help those
in need in my community.
Favorite Law School
experience? Planning and hosting Judge Roger Gregory from
the 4th Circuit. The thing that made it most special was the enormous
amount of support, encouragement and aid from the faculty and
staff. Their support summed up my experience at this law school—dynamite!
The best part was that Judge Gregory himself noted the faculty
support and commented on how special it was compared to other
law schools that he's visited.
Scholarly interests/specialties?
I have this "itch" for tax law and policy that doesn't
seem to want to go away. I think that it has something to do
with my degree in Mathematics. :) I am particularly interested
in trusts and estates but also have a desire to pursue more
corporate tax issues and policy. I also have a strong interest
in trial litigation (which is completely opposite of tax law).
Favorite class?
This sounds like a cop-out, but there were many classes that I
enjoyed for various reasons: I loved Trusts and Estates class
both for the professor and for the subject matter, especially
based on my interest in trusts and estates. I loved Criminal Investigations
both for the professor and the subject matter of 4th and 5th Amendment
rights. I loved Race and the Law both for the professor and subject
matter. I enjoyed Products Liability mostly for the outrageous
cases that we read. I truly enjoyed Trial Advocacy because of
the different teaching format and the interactive learning environment
and also the dynamite judge.
Favorite professor?
Professor Mildred Robinson and Judge Peatross
Best learning experience?
The best learning experience I had occurred at firms that I worked
at over the summers. I am very happy that Virginia Law has equipped
me with the tools to succeed in practice. The summer experiences
put all of that training to use, which enabled me to use what
I had learned for real situations. Until those summer experiences,
I was unsure of my ability to succeed as a summer associate.
Activities at the
Law School? Black Law Students Association (President, Vice-President,
First Year Representative); North Grounds Softball League; Virginia
Tax Review Association (Articles Review Board, Editorial Staff
Member); Student Bar Association (Class Representative); Omicron
Delta Kappa; Virginia Tax Assistance Program; Legal Aid Justice
Center; Shelter for Help and Emergency; Peer Advisor Program (2001-2003);
Lile Moot Court Competition (Completed Second Round; Judge for
2nd years); Law Christian Fellowship
Future plans?
My future plans are to: 1) Take and pass the Virginia bar! :)
2) Begin as an associate at Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. in the
Commercial Practice Group. After that, I have no idea what will
transpire.
Best summer experience?
My best break experience was a combination of Spring Break and
the Summer of 2001. For Spring Break, 15 law school students (including
myself) went to Miami, Florida and had a wonderful time bonding
with each other, enjoying the sun, and relaxing. In August of
that same year, my mother, sister and I went to the Bahamas on
a cruise ship.
What you wish you
could do over? Take all of my first year exams over again
now that I've had BAR/BRI Review for those subjects. The stress
level that existed then would be de minimus now! :)
Favorite spot on
grounds? The Softball Field :) I've enjoyed getting to know
many students while playing ball.
Favorite spot off-grounds?
Humpback Rocks—Climbing it was definitely a challenge but
it was completely worth it to see the beautiful view at the top.
I knew I wanted
to go to Virginia when: I came to visit and Cindy (the receptionist)
provided the warmest welcome I had ever received from any law
school visit. In addition, seeing the softball field directly
across from the school let me know that this school, while very
academic, is probably less stressful than others.
Advice for entering
students? Get to know as many people (i.e. professors, students,
staff, administrators) as possible. The amazing amount of talent
and experience at this law school is dynamite. Each person has
a unique and colorful story to share and they're more than willing
to help you in any way possible. My experience at this law school
became 100% more pleasurable as I began to make friends out of
the professors and staff and administrators in addition to the
students.
 SETH
WOOD
Law School Alumni Association Best Note
Award
Why you wanted to
be a lawyer? I wanted to attend
law school because I enjoy writing, arguing, and examining the
structures that frame and organize society (laws, constitutions,
etc.).
Favorite Law School
experience? Working on the Managing Board of the Virginia
Law Review.
Scholarly interests/specialties?
I feel a bit reluctant to say I have any kind of specialty, but
I guess I'd have interests in civil procedure/class actions, election
law, legislation, and legal history.
Favorite class?
Civil Rights Litigation
Favorite professor?
Dean Jeffries and John Harrison
Best learning experience?
Spending two semesters working with Professor Walker on an independent
study.
Activities at the
Law School? Law Review, Federalist Society, Libel Show, Law
Christian Fellowship, Jefferson Society, writing for the Cavalier
Daily
Future plans?
I'm heading to Houston for a one-year clerkship with Judge Jerry
Smith (5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals). After that, I am available
for other job opportunities...any interest?
Best summer experience?
Getting to sit in on faculty workshops while working as a summer
research assistant.
What you wish you
could do over? Relaxing a bit more.
Favorite spot on
grounds? Any of the new, comfortable chairs located in the
"study" lounge in Scott Commons.
Favorite spot off-grounds?
Starbuck's at the Corner
I knew I wanted
to go to Virginia when: I confirmed that this school has (1)
smart people; (2) who do not have nervous tics or other psychological
disorders
Advice for entering
students? Cliche alert...have fun with the first-year experience.
It's stressful, but it's a process through which all students
pass. Law school (especially this one) really is an enjoyable
experience and a great opportunity to sit around and think about
big ideas.
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