Law Student Diaries
For the fifth year, several SU law students are participating in our online student journals. Since the school year began, they have been gathering their thoughts and reflections about what it means to be an SU law student: from classroom experiences, to juggling commitments to making the most of their legal educations.
We invite you to travel through the year with the students as they share not only their confidences and anxieties but their accomplishments and success strategies. Hear what it's like to be an SU law student, as students candidly express views about not only law school, but also the law generally, and their professional aspirations.
New entries will be available approximately every few weeks as students find time to squeeze their updates into the busy lives.
Participants
Camille Adair, 1L
Camille is a part time student in the night program. She grew up in Seattle, WA, attended California Lutheran University, and graduated with a BS in Biological Studies and Psychology. After remaining in Thousand Oaks, CA for a year, Camille moved back to Seattle and began working for a pharmaceutical company in Everett, WA. She is remaining there part time, and is hoping to become a patent lawyer. Camille was recently named the section representative to Section E.
Darcel Desjardins, 3L
Darcel is a full time law student in the day program, is originally from Seattle, and intends to practice in Seattle. She graduated from Seattle University in June of 2006, with a major in History and minors in Political Science and Women’s Studies. Darcel has recently been appointed to the SBA’s Judiciary Committee, and is the immediate past president of the Black Law Student’s Association. Darcel spent her 2L summer as a Rule 9 Intern at the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where she conducted three trials, argued motions, and handled her own arraignment calendar before District Court. She currently is working at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, in the Labor and Industries Division in Seattle. She is excited for her final year of law school.
Akshat Divatia, 1L
Akshat began his full-time studies in the summer of 2008 after several years as an immigration paralegal at the Boston law firm of Mintz Levin. Raised in India, Akshat obtained a baccalaureate degree in political science from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. He has studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and also served as the Rotary Foundation's student ambassador to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Akshat is conversant in four languages and most recently, recorded English and Spanish language audio materials as a volunteer at a school for the blind. A soccer aficionado, Akshat helps manage FC Barcelona's U.S. supporters club and has high hopes for the Seattle Sounders' inaugural MLS season. In his spare time, Akshat and his wife cherish exploring the Puget Sound with family, friends, and their mini dachshund.
Jonathan Lee, 3L
Jonathan is a full time student in the day program. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2006 with a degree in Law, Societies and Justice and a degree in Political Science. Jonathan is hoping to pursue a career in litigation. At school, he is active in the SBA and co-chairs the Moot Court Board.
Kelly O'Brien, 1L
Kelly is a first-year part-time law student. Born and raised in the Caribbean, he spends his free time (what is that!?) scouring Seattle for a good roti. When he isn’t being co-opted into helping his partner with her latest conceptual art endeavor, he’s spending time with his four-year-old daughter. Kelly has a couple of degrees in English literature, which means he likes to make up new words by bastardizing old ones, and has a newly developed appreciation for a good night’s sleep. He is surviving law school with a sense of humor, one tome at a time.
Lidice O'Brien, 2L
Lidice is a 2L evening student. Originally from California, her main focus at this moment is deciding whether to take the BAR in Washington or back home. She is currently working for a law firm in downtown Seattle that specializes in Criminal Law and Bankruptcy.
Fernanda Parra, 3L
Fernanda is a full-time student, taking both day and evening classes. Having an open schedule as a 3L gives her the ability to work part-time at the immigration law firm of Millar Fagan-Smith. The previous summer she worked as a summer associate for Foster Pepper. Fernanda graduated from the University of Washington in June 2005, with majors in International Studies and Communications. Now, she is a busy law student pursuing goals in International Human Rights and Immigration. She is the President of the Latina/o Law Student Association, as well as Regional Director for the National Latina/o Law Student Association. Last year, with the help of Andre Olivie, another 3L student, she co-founded the Society for Immigrant and Refugee Justice at the Law School. Fernanda and Andre were honored by OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone) for their outstanding leadership in advancing civil and immigrant rights. On the side, Fernanda enjoys running, hot yoga, and oil-painting.
Kate Snow, 2L
Kate graduated from University of Portland where she majored in Life Science and minored in Sociology. When not in class, she volunteer once a week for the Housing Justice Project doing legal triage for low income tenants who are getting evicted. She also do legal research and writing for Volunteer Attorneys for People with AIDS. Additionally, she works for the admission office and is a teaching assistant for 1L classes.
