News Archive

Ronnie Kawak is a 3L at IU McKinney. Kawak plans to graduate in May 2024. He is from Indianapolis, where he has lived for most of his life.  

What made you decide you wanted to go to law school? And what brought you to IU McKinney in particular?

I was attracted to IU McKinney because it gave me the opportunity to commute to school while still networking with attorneys in the city. My experience has been eye-opening because while I was an undergrad at IUPUI, I didn't feel like I had a community, and I was not a part of most extracurricular activities. Here, however, I enjoy coming to school every day because I genuinely love seeing my classmates, the faculty, and the administration. I take pride in developing a strong relationship with the IU McKinney family. Finally, I enjoy learning about the law and how to solve complex puzzles.

What student groups have you been involved in?

I have served as the treasurer for the Asian Law Student Association and am currently a member-at-large. I was also the former reservationist for the American Constitution Society and currently serve as president. I have also been a student executive for the Indianapolis Bar Association since the beginning of my 2L year. Finally, I am the executive online editor for Indiana Law Review volume 57.

What externship or clinic courses have you taken part in? Have you worked as a summer associate anywhere?

During my first summer, I was an extern for a federal magistrate judge at the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Indiana. It was my first true legal experience and afterward, I fell in love with litigation. I have also externed for IU Health's Revenue Cycle Services. A special thanks to Professor Edye Edens for assisting and developing my professional skills during that externship. This past summer, I was able to intern for the Federal Trade Commission in Dallas, Texas, where I worked on consumer protection violations, and I was able to assist in investigating business entities engaging in unfair business practices. I enjoyed this experience so much that I am externing for the same office this semester as well. 

Any lawyers in your family?

While I don't have any lawyers in my immediate family, my grandfather, who I never had the opportunity to meet, was an attorney in Syria.

What are your plans for after law school?

I do not have any set plans after law school and I am still applying and interviewing for employment but from my experience, I am interested in either clerking for a judge, working for the federal government, or anything involving litigation.