News Archive

Bavleen Kaur Seerha is a 2L at IU McKinney who took part in an externship at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana during summer 2024.

Where are you from? Where did you do your undergraduate studies and what was your major?

I was born in Illinois but spent my early childhood in India until I was 5, after which I moved to Marion, Indiana. I essentially had an immigrant experience and while growing up in Marion shaped a lot of who I am, I knew I wanted to experience a bigger city, which led me to Indianapolis for college. I attended IUPUI, now IU Indianapolis, where I majored in Law in Liberal Arts, minored in Legal Studies, and earned a Paralegal Certificate. I was fortunate to graduate summa cum laude and being a DEAP Law Scholar provided me with a half-tuition scholarship at McKinney, which was a big help in pursuing my law degree.

What year are you in law school?

I am currently in my second year (2L).

Any lawyers in your family? What made you decide you wanted to go to law school?

I am the first in my family to attend both college and law school, so there were not any lawyers in my family to guide me. My decision to pursue law was deeply personal. When I was young, my father was incarcerated, which left a significant impact on me. I became determined to understand the legal system and to find ways to help others who might be facing similar challenges.

What brought you to IU McKinney in particular?

I always knew I wanted to stay in Indianapolis after college. The city felt like the perfect place to build my career, so IU McKinney, right in the heart of downtown, was a natural choice. The school's location was a critical factor for me because I knew it would provide me with so many opportunities. Attending IU Indianapolis also meant I had a clear path to McKinney, which had been my goal from the start.

What made you want to take part in the externship you did with the bankruptcy court? Please tell us a little more about that experience, if you would.

I came across the externship opportunity through Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization, which is dedicated to improving diversity in the legal profession. I had always been interested in working with a judge, so this externship seemed like the perfect fit for my first law school summer. When Judge Paul Singleton, whom I had seen during a visit he made to IU McKinney for a Hispanic Law Society event, selected me, I could not have been more excited. Working alongside him and his clerks this summer was an incredible experience—Judge Singleton is not only brilliant but also genuinely kind, and I learned so much from his approach to the law. (In the photo, Seerha, right, is with Judge Singleton at the bankruptcy court.)

What’s been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make in your life since you started law school?

The biggest adjustment for me has been realizing that good grades alone are not enough. In law school, and in the legal profession, networking is key. Building a network of supportive colleagues and mentors is essential to succeeding as a lawyer, and that is something I am focusing on much more now.

What student groups have you been involved in?

I am the vice co-chair of the IU Student Outreach Clinic, where I work alongside medical and law students to provide legal and medical aid to underserved members of our community. I spend my Saturdays volunteering there and also serve as the clinic manager, which has been a rewarding way to give back while honing my legal skills.

What are your plans for after law school?

After law school, my plan right now is to take the bar exam early, in February 2026, and hopefully be lucky enough to have a federal clerkship. Beyond that, I am open to exploring different paths, whether it is working at a law firm, pursuing a role in the federal government, possibly as a prosecutor, or furthering my career in bankruptcy.