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TED KIEM
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Education: Columbia University,
B.A. in Russian Studies
Why you wanted to be a lawyer? I
worked for several years in the former Soviet Union. It became obvious
that whether the goal is to promote economic development or to foster
civil society, the law is ultimately the most important and effective
instrument for reform. All the money in the world won't change anything
without fair and well-functioning legal systems. Plus, there is the
romantic appeal of this being the "last of the learned professions." I
always fall for that kind of talk.
Favorite Law School experience? Eating
lunch with our "crew" on a daily basis. The laughter was
a great remedy for stress.
Scholarly interests/specialties? International
law, both international business transactions and public international
law. I also love constitutional history although I think it's more
of a hobby than a specialty.
Favorite class? Professor Klarman's
Constitutional History II—pure enjoyment.
Favorite professor? There are
so many fantastic faculty members, but I have to say Professor Bradley.
Best learning experience? Planning
the J.B. Moore Symposium for the last two years and having contact
with international law scholars from all over the United States.
Activities at the Law School? J.B.
Moore Society of International Law, International Rescue Committee
volunteer.
Future plans? I'll be an associate
at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood in New York.
Best summer experience? Working
for Professor O'Connell. I was able to look in great depth at an area
of the law (tort reform) outside my primary area of interest. I really
enjoyed discussing legal history and public policy with Professor O'Connell
and personally gained a tremendous amount from his expertise and friendship.
What you wish you could do over? I
never had a class with Professor Caleb Nelson or Dean Jeffries.
Favorite spot on grounds? The
reading room in the Law Library.
Favorite spot off-grounds? I guess
I'm supposed to say Monticello or some scenic mountain-view but the
truth is, Riverside Lunch. I like the NASCAR atmosphere and thumb-prints
in the hamburger buns.
I knew I wanted to go to Virginia when: Our
son was born. And it was a great choice—I can't imagine a better
place to be a student and parent.
Advice for entering students? Don't
take classes you "should" take—take what is most interesting.
The rest will fall into place. Most importantly, speak with your professors—once
you leave school, you won't have ready access to this amazing human
resource. They know a few things.
ALLISON ORR
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
(seriously, I'm a townie)
Education: College of William & Mary
Why you wanted to be a lawyer? My
Dad always talked about it being a good career choice for me (turns
out medicine (his profession) was not really an option after I fainted
in the 7th grade when we dissected the frog). However, I didn't really
know I wanted to go to law school until my exposure to the law in my
first job after college. I worked as a paralegal for the small consumer
litigation office of the DOJ. That office was full of young, enthusiastic
lawyers who entertained a lot of my questions and encouraged my intellectual
curiosity about the law.
Favorite Law School experience? I've
had many, but if I had to choose, I'd say my favorite law school experience
was working as a research assistant for Anne Coughlin after my first
year. Being in Charlottesville that summer enabled me to get
to know a lot of faculty members (and other students who I didn't know
as well before) in a very casual environment. I loved going to the
faculty workshops every week, and I loved brain-storming with Professor
Coughlin in her office. It was a very relaxed and intellectually stimulating
summer. I loved it.
Scholarly interests/specialties? I'm
more interested in public law than private law (which I know doesn't
really narrow it down too much). My note was on a civil procedure issue.
I really like federal courts, admin law, con law, criminal law, and
the first amendment. I also enjoyed Professor Klarman's constitutional
history courses, and believe it or not... I actually liked tax.
Favorite class? Tough one. This
is like asking me what my favorite M & M color is (they're all
good, but I'd have to go with green). I think my favorite law school
class was also the most challenging one...Federal Courts with Caleb
Nelson. I like law school classes that tap the logic side of my brain,
and Fed Courts with Professor Nelson felt like one intense puzzle after
another. It was an amazing class.
Favorite professor? Sorry, I just
can't pick one. This faculty is full of all-stars, and I was lucky
enough to have many of them. I'm sure if I listed them all, I'd forget
someone. So, I plead the 5th on this one. :)
Best learning experience? Writing
my note. I learned a lot in every class, but for some reason my first
attempt at legal scholarship stands out as one of the strongest learning
experiences for me. I had a great advisor, Caleb Nelson, who helped
me at every step of the way. It was a very challenging process, but
I think I learned a lot from it.
Activities at the Law School? I
did a lot of pro bono work during my first year (specifically with
RCAP [Rape Crisis Advocacy Project] and the Legal Intake Program). In
my last two years, my time was spread rather thin between two large
opposing forces—the Libel Show and the Law Review (you
can guess which one was more fun).
Future plans? I am clerking this
year for Judge Wilkinson right here in Charlottesville (this makes
my Mom very happy since I will be in my hometown for yet another year).
After that, I am not sure what I'll do next. My long-term goal,
I think, is to become a law professor (it seems like the closest thing
I can find to being a law student, which has to be the best job in
the country).
Best summer experience? As I mentioned,
I loved working for Anne Coughlin after my first year. I also
really enjoyed working for Covington and Burling last summer in D.C.—the
work was interesting, the people were great, and the lunches were AWESOME!
What you wish you could do over? I
wish I could go back to 1L Alli and tell her not to stress out so much
and never ever to listen to what other 1Ls are talking about. I
think everyone is so scared and nervous when they encounter their first
law school exams, and the tendency to freak-out is contagious. I
wish I could go back and wear ear muffs for that time period.
Favorite spot on grounds? Scott
Commons from 11-2. Besides the fact that I love Curtis' red beans
and rice, I could also plop myself on one of those couches and waste
away many hours just catching up with whichever of my friends ambled
by.
Favorite spot off-grounds? My
parents' farm (where I grew up). Though I rarely brought my laundry
home, it was a great place to escape, and to bring friends back to.
Also, my Mom is a terrific cook—no restaurant in town can top
her.
I knew I wanted to go to Virginia when: Honestly,
I dreamed about going to Virginia the moment I knew I wanted to go
to law school. Not every girl has a top-10 law school in her
backyard. I can't imagine going anywhere else. U.Va. Law has become
such a special place to me—I have made amazing friends and amazing
mentors. Perhaps I'm biased, but I can't imagine any law school in
the country being half as rewarding.
Advice for entering students? Don't
be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something. The faculty
at U.Va. is top notch. I have never been taught and I never will
be taught by minds of this caliber again. Take advantage of it. Make
a list of all the professors you have heard are fantastic (and you'll
need a big piece of paper to handle that task). Then take their classes.
Even if it means getting up for a 9 am class. You only get to do this
once, and it goes by so fast. Savor every moment.
KEVIN RITZ
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Education: B.A. with High Distinction,
University of Virginia, 1997; M.S. in Foreign Service, Georgetown University,
1999
Why you wanted to be a lawyer? I
think a legal education enables one to understand more clearly why
our government works the way it does, as well as what it means
to be a citizen of our country.
Favorite Law School experience? Hosting
Gary Hart, Chuck Robb, and Judge Wilkinson for Student Legal Forum
lectures.
Scholarly interests/specialties? Hmmm....foreign
policy? Baseball? Bruce Springsteen?
Favorite class? Federal Courts
with Caleb Nelson.
Favorite professor? Prof. BeVier
and Prof. Klarman.
Best learning experience? Studying
for first-year exams with John Bottini and John Nutter.
Activities at the Law School? President,
Student Legal Forum; Chair, Graduation Committee; Book Reviews Editor, Virginia
Law Review; President, Raven Society; Golden Ass Society.
Future plans? Clerking for
Judge Julia Gibbons, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Memphis,
TN.
Best summer experience? Summer
before law school—driving a Mustang convertible to ballparks
out west.
What you wish you could do over? Walking
down the Lawn at Graduation.
Favorite spot on grounds? Old
Cabell Hall auditorium.
Favorite spot off-grounds? Continental
Divide [restaurant].
I knew I wanted to go to Virginia when: I
met some of the Law School faculty while visiting, and they seemed
genuinely excited about teaching, being in Charlottesville, and getting
to know students on a personal level.
Advice for entering students? Remember
that the Law School is part of the best University in the country,
and take advantage of what the University has to offer—lectures, athletics,
organizations, music, afternoons on the Lawn, etc. Spend
time in Crozet, Scottsville, and other areas outside of town. Have
a margarita at Continental Divide. Don't forget what you did with your
free time before law school. Read the newspaper to keep it all in perspective.
JAMES WHITEHEAD
Education: B.A., Sociology, University
of Virginia
Why you wanted to be a lawyer? I
remember taking a criminology class as an undergraduate sociology major.
It made me realize the negative perceptions and prejudices that many
people have for those that are charged with a criminal offense. So
I went to law school in hoping to one day defend those stamped with
the unpopular label of "criminal defendant." Several years
later, I learned that dreams do come true.
Favorite Law School experience? Dandelion
Parade and getting to spend time with my brother Lamarkco
Scholarly interests/specialties? Criminal
Law, Race and the Law
Favorite class? Criminal Investigation
Favorite professor? They're not
professors, but my favorite people had to be Dean Harmon, the entire
Public Service Center, Career Services staff, and evening cleaning
crew.
Best learning experience? Criminal
Defense Clinic. It was nice to put the textbooks aside and have a living,
breathing client.
Activities at the Law School? Black
Law Students Association, Intern for the U.Va. Athletics Department
Compliance Division, Big Brother, National Lawyer's Guild, Legal Aid
Intake
Future plans? Work as a public
defender for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
(PDS). Then, ride out into the sunset.
Best summer experience? Bittersweet
moment. While clerking at PDS last summer, I wrote a motion that helped
to acquit a client charged with murder. Sadly, after recently speaking
with the attorney I worked with, I found out that he was later shot
and killed.
What you wish you could do over? Nothing
Favorite spot on grounds? BLSA
office
Favorite spot off-grounds? Zazu's
and Panda Garden
I knew I wanted to go to Virginia when: I
thought of the possibility of becoming a Double-Hoo.
Advice for entering students? 1.
Be true to yourself. 2. Success is not defined by a letter grade.
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