News Archive

Where are you from originally? Where did you do your undergraduate studies and what was your major?
I am originally from the small town of New Palestine, Indiana. It's about 35 minutes away from downtown Indianapolis. I completed my undergraduate studies on the IUPUI campus, where I was part of the Honors College and was awarded the Bepko Scholarship, a service-based scholarship named for the incredible Gerald L. Bepko, former IU McKinney professor, dean, and eventual chancellor of IUPUI.  I majored in sociology and minored in neuroscience and Spanish.

Any lawyers in the family? What made you want to become a lawyer?
The only lawyer in my immediate family is my paternal grandfather, who, by all indications, was a very unethical lawyer. In fact, when he was district attorney in Sullivan County, the local circuit court judge sought to appoint a special prosecutor and empanel a grand jury to investigate his alleged shady real estate dealings, unethical and incompetent prosecution, and “immoral personal activities” in a dispute that went all the way up to the Indiana Supreme Court. See State ex rel. Purcell, 92 N.E.2d 843, 228 Ind. 410 (1950) for more of the sordid details.

My paternal grandfather's story discouraged me from becoming a lawyer. It took three major life experiences to change my mind. First, my mother was a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Hancock County, and I got to see the immense value of her work. Second, I worked at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, where I saw first-hand the power of policy to help people. Finally, I was further inspired to pursue a legal education by working at the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society. Ultimately, I want to become a lawyer because of my lifelong interest in public policy, the mechanism for change I believe can most effectively assist the less fortunate.

What made you choose IU McKinney for law school?
I chose IU McKinney for multiple reasons. First, because I could take advantage of the direct admission program from the IUPUI campus to IU McKinney, which allowed me to forego taking the LSAT. Second, I have always been very passionate about legal writing, and our legal writing program at IU McKinney is outstanding. From day one, I wanted to be in one of IU McKinney's law reviews. This dream came true—today, I am the senior executive editor of the Indiana Law Review, and my note on habitability in extended-stay motels is set to be published this upcoming year. Finally, I was familiar with the experiential learning opportunities at IU McKinney. In undergrad, I learned about the commendable work of Professor Lahny Silva in criminal justice and the reentry of formerly incarcerated people. I also wanted the opportunity to participate in a judicial externship.

What experiential learning opportunities have you taken advantage of during your time at IU McKinney? Any favorites?
I have taken advantage of numerous experiential learning opportunities at IU McKinney. First, I participated in the Supporting Rural Justice Initiative externship. It is an amazing program, that aims to promote rural practice and address the shortage of rural attorneys. I was assigned to Morgan County, where I had the opportunity to work under Judge Peter Foley, J.D. ’97, a very experienced and dedicated judge who was recently appointed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Additionally, I served as a research assistant under Professor Fran Quigley, J.D. ’87, on behalf of IU McKinney's Health and Human Rights Clinic. In that role, I had the opportunity to talk to many housing stakeholders and write a report analyzing rental housing conditions in Indiana. The report garnered local media attention and influenced legislation in the Indiana General Assembly, which surpassed my wildest expectations.

Most recently I served as an extern in the chambers of Chief Justice Loretta Rush through IU McKinney's court externship program.

What career aspirations do you have after you complete your legal education?
I currently work at the Office of the Indiana Attorney General as a law clerk, and I am exploring the opportunity of working in the government. However, I am also considering small town or rural practice, largely because of my experiences in the Supporting Rural Justice Initiative Externship. I have a special passion for landlord-tenant law and hope to have the opportunity to represent Indiana tenants in the future. Someday, I might even consider entering public service as a legislator.