Background
Q: What did you do before coming to law school?
Before coming to law school, I attended the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. In 2015, I received my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Policy and Management and was fortunate to find a job after graduation as an Environmental Technician
for the cities of Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville. In that role, I managed a large environmental grant which my team used to implement waste reduction initiatives and recycling programs in Dakota County. Some of our programs included organics recycling programs in event centers and municipal buildings, recycling and decluttering presentations, and waste reduction events throughout the year. I am so grateful for the opportunity and incredibly proud of the waste my team was able to divert from the landfill.
Q: What prompted you to enroll in law school?
From a young age I knew that I wanted to make an impact on the world around me, but I was unsure of how to do that. When I turned 18, I followed my passions which included animal science, environmental science, chemistry, biology, political science, and psychology. In all honestly, you name the subject and I likely signed up for the class. I made choices that were wrong for me (tons of them), and I found myself at a decision-making point in my life. I then realized that what I really loved most was the learning process itself. I absolutely love solving problems and discovering something new every day. I think many people who are drawn to law school feel the same way. I have never considered myself to be the smartest person in the room, or even the most capable. The fortunate thing about higher education is that I am surrounded by people who might be able to help me work through an issue in a way that I have never even thought of before. The idea of learning is what really excites me.
Q: What has been your favorite part of your Mitchell Hamline experience?
My favorite thing about Mitchell Hamline is the strong sense of community and diversity of the student body. Mitchell Hamline fosters an environment for students to work together to bring about positive change in the world. I am constantly learning about issues from other perspectives while also being able to freely share my own. As a student at Mitchell Hamline, I have often needed help, advice, support, and even a shoulder to cry on. Whether it be my wonderful classmates, advisors, or professors, someone is always there for you at Mitchell Hamline.
Q: Which class have you enjoyed the most?
The class I enjoyed the most in my law school career has been property law. While the course felt overwhelming and complex, it provided me with valuable insight about the legality of the ownership and use of land as well as the rights of individuals in protecting their property. It also helped to have Professor Mehmet Konar-Steenberg as the instructor for the course! He did a fantastic job at ensuring students understood the material and was always willing to share his time to answer questions.
Q: Do you have an area of law you hope to practice in?
I hope to practice in the areas of health law and environmental law. However, I generally enjoy research and transactional law and would be excited for an opportunity that would allow me to dive into and dissect information.
Q: What traits do you think a good leader should possess?
I believe a good leader is goal-oriented and confident about their abilities but is not afraid to learn from others and admit when they need help. A leader should be transparent and should know when and how to communicate with their team. They should take pride in accomplishments as a leader while acknowledging that the accomplishments are a result of hard work from their passionate and supportive team.
Q: How have your past experiences prepared you for a leadership role?
One of my past jobs was a manager for a home for disabled adults. In that role I worked with twenty-two staff members and four clients daily. I often needed to manage the big picture items which included the health and safety of all clients and staff while also handling some of the more day-to-day tasks like scheduling staff and setting up client appointments.
Unfortunately, one of our clients fell ill and needed to be hospitalized. It was a scary time and the mood in the home changed as everyone felt nervous and uncertain of the outcome. While working with the hospital to manage the client’s care, I asked my team if they would be willing to help plan a celebration that weekend at home for the staff and clients. We baked cakes, ordered balloons and pizza, and decorated the house. When the time came for a party, I came dressed up in a silly outfit which included oversized mismatched clothing and a red clown nose purchased earlier that morning in support of “Red Nose Day.” That evening, we laughed together, cried together, and celebrated together. By the next week, our client recovered fully and was back home! This experience taught me that, in times of crisis, laughter, hope, and shared passions can bring people back together.
Vision for Volume 47
Q: What are your goals for Volume 47?
My vision for Volume 47 of Law Review is to expand on the previous board’s push for transparency and involvement. Volume 46 had numerous innovative ideas to ensure future Law Review Boards would be set up to save time and to continue to push Law Review to new limits. My goals for Volume 47 include expanding topic selection for our articles, speeding up the article selection, and generally ensuring all new associates and board members feel included on the team. Additionally, I hope to create training videos for board members and associates who may have different learning styles. Finally, I hope to create a community with Volume 47 which could include more events and associate development.
Q: What are you most excited for as Editor-in-Chief of Volume 47?
I am so incredibly excited to work with the Volume 47 board and associates. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and hearing about their visions and passions to make Volume 47 reach its full potential. I know there will be stressful times, but I am so eager to build relationships in this law review community.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a law review associate?
The most rewarding part of being an associate of Volume 46 was the honor of putting the title on my resume. I can say to future employers that I put the work into the difficult write-on process and committed to ensuring that my work met the high standard of quality that was expected from me by the board and my fellow associates.
Q: What advice do you have for next year’s associates?
My greatest piece of advice for new law review associates is to reach out to the law review colleagues, a professor, or advisor if you need help with anything. Whether it be a law review related question, an issue with a class, or a personal crisis; someone is here for you. Understand that it is absolutely okay to feel overwhelmed or uncertain and we are all here to help. Just remember to communicate!
General Law School Questions
Q: Do you have a favorite Bluebook tip/trick?
My favorite bluebook tip is the within-five footnote rule for statutes and cases. Before becoming an associate, I was completely unaware of this rule. Upon editing, I found it to be one of the most challenging rules to follow and is easy to miss when proofing. Essentially, the “within-five” rule means a short form of a statute or case should be used if the source has been cited in the same footnote or if the source can be found within the previous five citations.
In addition, I also highly recommend tabbing your bluebook. As a board member or associate, you will be flipping to the same pages frequently and should have them marked to save time.
Q: What did you write your long paper on?
I wrote my long paper on the American opioid crisis and Bellwether settlement trials in Ohio. I did a comparison of the potential opioid settlement to the previous tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. My primary argument was that the Master Settlement Agreement failed in many aspects to truly tackle the problem at the heart of the litigation and the opioid settlement presents an opportunity to do better this time around.
Q: Do you have any special strategies you use to stay organized?
Organization looks a little different for everyone but what works best for me is to follow a routine. I wake up at the same time every day and always make my bed before leaving my room. I then exercise, shower, and get ready for the day while listening to my favorite podcasts. Next, I set up my computer (either at home, work, or school) and begin responding to urgent emails while creating a to-do list for that day. I encourage everyone to develop a morning routine because it can help you get into an optimistic mindset before checking emails, committing to responsibilities, and reviewing daily tasks.
Q: What keeps you motivated on a daily basis?
Setting personal short-term and long-term goals for myself keeps me motivated on a daily basis, even when I feel exhausted or overwhelmed. First, I set daily goals for completing smaller tasks like exercising or getting outside that day. Accomplishing these tasks gives me something to check-off my to-do list every day. Then I write-down my longer-term goals, like running a 5K or graduating law school by 2021. These are usually things I have been working on for some time and serve to remind me of my reasons why I need to stay motivated. Everyone is different, but I personally love to see my goals written down as a reminder of why I should keep doing what I am doing.
However, if and when that daily routine does not happen, I remind myself that it is okay to take a break from responsibilities if necessary. The only way to stay optimistic and motivated on a daily basis is to be patient with ourselves when we need time to rest. In the end, what keeps me motivated is remembering to celebrate my wins of the day, no matter how small. Sometimes that win is as small as getting out of bed when I did not feel like I could or as big as wrapping up a legal memorandum for a client in need.
Fun Facts
Q: What word would you use to describe yourself?
If I had to pick just one word, it would be optimistic. Even in tough times, I believe there is something we can all look forward to or be thankful for. I appreciate how hard it can be to feel grateful at times, but I constantly try to see the best in any situation even if means taking a step back. I also enjoy hearing about other people’s positive experiences in life!
Q: What role models have had the greatest impact on your life?
Both my mom and dad have been my greatest role models. Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of seeing them support and encourage each other throughout the most difficult times. They continuously give their time and energy to help me and my siblings succeed.
My parents installed the deeply seated values of hard-work and dedication. I learned numerous lessons from my parents, but three in particular have stuck with me to this day. First, follow your passions even if the outcome is uncertain. Second, women are powerful and should speak their mind. Third, there is no right timeline for your life goals. You may be on a different track than someone else, but your path is the one that matters.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
I spend the majority of my free time going to the gym, hiking, camping, or really any activity that will keep me active and take me outdoors. When I relax at home, I love reading novels or watching 80’s horror films. A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Shining are my favorites!
Q: Do you have any volunteer experiences you are proud of?
I am very proud of my experiences volunteering as a Certified Master Recycler and Composter (MRC) for Dakota County. To become certified, I attended a six-week class to learn more about education techniques, tips for recycling and composting, and how to respond to frequently asked questions from members of the community. Since then, I have had the opportunity as an MRC to assist the Vikings and Twins stadiums in their efforts to reduce consumer waste in Minnesota.
More recently, in my first year at Mitchell Hamline, I volunteered through the Minnesota Justice Foundation for organization called WATCH. This experience allowed me to gain insight on court room etiquette while helping to further the organization’s mission of ensuring justice for women and children.
Q: What is something people do not know about you?
Something most people do not know about me is that my first paid job was at a roller-skating rink called Cheap Skate. I was hired at age sixteen to host birthday parties and manage the snack bar. We were constantly short-staffed, so I also did everything from awarding prizes at our pro-shop to fixing broken arcade games, and even taking over as the DJ on some nights. The good news is that I was never asked to wear roller skates because that would have been a disaster.