June 2021 | DE&I Summer Internship Edition |
|
Is it summer already? My kids are already out of school? What year is it? Oh, the year after the crazy pandemic! I don’t know about you, but this year has been flying by. The good news is that the pandemic seems to be getting smaller in the rearview mirror, a lot of people have been vaccinated, more places are getting back to full capacity, companies are eager to announce a back-to-the-office phase-in schedule, jobless claims are steadily declining ... |
|
Get to Know Our Summer Interns |
|
|
Our 2021 DE&I Summer Internship Program kicked off last week! We interviewed each intern to learn more about their unique backgrounds, passions and personalities, and we encourage you to scroll through and read through their smart and inspiring responses below. Those with LinkedIn profiles included their links; if you're so inclined, connect with them and help them grow their network! |
|
Name: Maria Villegas Bravo
Schools: Washington University in St. Louis School of Law; University of Texas at Austin (B.A. in Psychology)
Internship Company: AT&T
Where You're From: I grew up about half an hour north of Houston! Interestingly enough, though, I lived in St. Louis for a few years when I first moved to America, and I have loved being back in the city for law school.
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I wanted to become a lawyer because I couldn’t focus on one particular path. I enjoyed sociology and the study of the criminal justice system; I was interested in how to improve the behemoth public education system so that students achieved better outcomes with less pressure; I was interested in psychology and how people’s minds worked. In the end, the legal profession spoke to me because I could gather all my interests into one place and address them practically.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: A major influence in my legal career has been a professor from my undergraduate years, Mark Levy! He is a practicing attorney in the Texas Attorney General’s office while also teaching upper level classes for the College of Liberal Arts Honors Program at the University of Texas in Austin! The only 8am class I took after my first semester was taught by him, and it introduced and analyzed each standard 1L class from a humanities perspective. Writing a ten page paper on the evolution of the interstate commerce clause as it related to protectionist business policy for that class was what solidified my intent to apply to law school, and Professor Levy has been nothing but supportive since!
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: One thing I’ve realized over the course of my first year of law school is how little I know about the legal profession. I hope to keep my mind open and embrace whatever adventures come my way, but above all I hope to make tangible change by engaging with my community. No matter where my career takes me, I hope to one day affect public policy, whether that be through working behind the scenes on Capitol Hill or leading by example through whatever company I work for in the future.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: This summer, I hope to learn how corporations interact with the government and the cities in which they reside. I’m interested in regulatory compliance, and gaining a deeper understanding of how companies work hard to give customers the best experience possible while balancing shareholder interests and industry standards. The 2021 Summer Diversity Internship Program will also give me the opportunity to meet with other high-achieving law students and create a long lasting network of like-minded peers who appreciate St. Louis just as much as I do!
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: A song I have completely memorized is “Hasta Que" by Tatiana Hazel!
Q: Anything else you'd like us to know?
A: Outside of more professional endeavors, I love cooking complex recipes and more recently, knitting. I actually just started my first scarf!
|
|
Name: Jada Flynn
School: Saint Louis University School of Law
Internship Company: Rabo Diversified Services
Where You're From: I am from Matteson, IL; a city in the south suburbs of Chicago.
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I want to be a lawyer because I love that it is such a vast field. There are so many different areas of law so it feels limitless. In addition, I want to be a lawyer in order to have the resources and skills necessary to aid communities that need it.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: Angela Davis, an activist, is a great inspiration to me. Her decades of activism and her continuous fight for equity has always been inspiring to me.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to constantly grow in whichever area of law that I choose and quickly rise through the ranks of the company where I am located while also ensuring that it a priority to make time to do community outreach work.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain clarity and new skills. I will have the opportunity to work with multiple types of attorneys and in doing so, I am hoping that I will be able to narrow down a specific area of law that I am currently most interested in while picking up some new skills along the way.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: I Was Here by Beyoncé.
|
|
Name: Joshua Johnson
School: University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Law
Internship Company: Wells Fargo
Where You're From: St. Louis, Missouri.
1. First off, why do you want to become a lawyer? *
I want to become a lawyer because the legal field has always interested me, and I would love to serve in a corporate law capacity.
2. Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you? *
My late grandmother has been a major influence to me. She taught me the importance of being a lifelong learner.
3. What do you hope to accomplish in your career? *
I hope I can inspire others from all backgrounds to take leaps at pursuing their dreams and advancing their education.
4. What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship? *
I hope to acquire practical knowledge from my internship that I will be able to implement in my legal career.
5. And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized? *
"Go the Distance" (Disney's Hercules)
Anything else you'd like us to know?
I enjoy traveling, walking nature trails, and cooking.
|
|
Name: Erich J. Kaletka
School: Washington University School of Law
Internship Company: Ameren
Where You're From: I grew up in South St. Louis County and attended Mehlville High School.
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I want to become a lawyer because I am attracted to the idea of becoming an expert in whatever area I choose to practice in. I think in today's complex and fast-moving society the type of expertise that lawyers have is important and gratifying. Additionally, I think being a lawyer opens the door for a vast number of different career experiences and I want to have the option and ability to engage in diverse types of work.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: My mother, who raised me and my four younger brothers to be successful and well-rounded men. Despite coming from very humble means and not having very much opportunity in her own life she advocated relentlessly for my brothers and me to have every opportunity possible.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to become an established attorney in whatever area I choose to practice in. More importantly, I hope that I am able to have a positive impact on the local community through my work as a lawyer, and to do work that I find both meaningful and engaging.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to build strong ongoing relationships with local attorneys in a diverse range of practice areas. I also hope to learn what it means to be an in-house attorney and how such roles can be utilized to make companies more efficient and better members of the community. I hope I will gain skills that I can use in whatever roles I have going forward as well.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Oops I Did it Again by Britney Spears
|
|
Name: Justin McPherson
School: Saint Louis University
Internship Company: Bunzl
Where You're From: Born and raised here in Saint Louis. Lived on the North side for most of my life, but now live in Ballwin.
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: Lawyers have the skill and knowledge to change policy in a variety of settings, from the corporate sector to the health field and beyond. The goal I had back when I was still in high school was to gain a marketable skill that would provide me joy and a sustainable livelihood. I think I will gain all of those things with a law degree, and I will be able to advocate for the change I want to see.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: I find inspiration in a lot of people, including my classmates. But if I had to choose one person, it would be my grandpa. My grandpa was the second youngest of five children. At the age of 12, he became "The 'Man' of the House." My grandpa helped his siblings and mother escape an abusive environment, where they traveled from Mississippi to Missouri, mostly on foot. My Grandpa never went to high school because he was working to provide for his family. Once my Grandpa started his own family, he kept that same hard-work attitude, so he could provide a better life for his children. My Grandpa experienced lay-offs, Jim Crow racism, and physical sickness, but he always kept his faith and continued to work harder. My Grandpa had no diploma, but he is the hardest working man I have ever known.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to inspire someone to change their habits for the better. I am not sure what area of law I want to practice just yet, but I hope that I can be someone other young adults and youths can look up to.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to build some new relationships inside and outside the company and the ACC. Also, I hope to come out of the internship with a better understanding of what I want to do. Luckily, most of the attorneys I am working with have prior experience working in either a firm or some government position, or they at least know attorneys working in those areas. So, I think I am in a good spot.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Tupac - Changes
|
|
Name: Mackay Miner
School: Saint Louis University School of Law
Internship Company: ICL Group
Where You're From: I was born and raised in Normal, IL. Last summer I moved to St. Louis from New Orleans, LA, after working with AmeriCorps and a law firm.
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: The legal system offers an opportunity to impact lives on so many different levels. I want to become a lawyer to expand my outreach and assist those with legal needs without the tools to navigate the law themselves.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: My family is the main source of my inspiration. My mother immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico at twenty years old to begin a new life. Her perseverance fueled my goal of one day attending law school. My father, working multiple jobs to make ends meet, showed me that hard work and dedication can open doors that previously were closed. My grandfather, as a teacher, instilled the importance of learning and continuing to progress as you grow.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: My goal is to work at a law firm with an interest in moving to a corporation later in my career. During this time I aim to participate in pro bono and nonprofit work. As an AmeriCorps member I taught several kids living in foster care. With pro bono or nonprofit work, I hope to continue to assist underrepresented youth and communities. When my career ends I hope to have provided legal access to those who did not previously have it.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain insights into corporate communication and negotiations. Working as a paralegal, I spoke with corporations but the communication was after their negotiation process. I hope to gain experience in the contractual process and how corporations handle constructing documents and communications.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: None specifically come to mind, probably anything Arctic Monkeys.
Q: Anything else you'd like us to know?
A: Nothing as of yet, just excited to be in this position!
|
|
Name: Abhijit Nair
School: Saint Louis University School of Law
Internship Company: MiTek
Where You're From: I was born in Kerala, India but I was raised in Dallas, Texas
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I want to become a lawyer to help make changes in the healthcare field from policy and legislation in order to make a difference in everyday Americans’ lives.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: A major influence to me has been my dad who came to the US from India when I was two years old not knowing many people and carving out a successful life for his family. He shows me everyday what hard work entails. He is my inspiration to succeed in any environment no matter how strange to me.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to be able to make a difference in people’s lives in a positive manner. I hope I can influence change that would allow people not to worry about cost when seeking healthcare of any kind.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain a new understanding of the legal system from the inside. Law school teaches theory and I hope to be able to apply all that I have learned in practice and maybe learn more about how a lawyer acts in practice as well. I hope this amazing internship and opportunity will increase my knowledge and skills in the legal profession.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Hakuna Matata from Lion King
Q: Anything else you'd like us to know?
A: Fun fact about me is that my nickname is Lucky because I tend to win raffles. I’ve won items/experiences from sports game tickets to a Louis Vuitton handbag and a Meet n Greet with the Dallas Cowboys.
|
|
Name: Zara Saiyed
School: University of Missouri Columbia School of Law
Internship Company: Spectrum
Where You're From: Chicago, IL
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I truly enjoy studying law, specifically in terms of its various intricacies and application of the law to life and the cases that we read. I also want to be able to assist others by being an advocate for others in times of need.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: My mother, who is my best friend. She is a beautiful, strong, hilarious woman who has done so much for my family and myself. She pushes me to be better in everything that I do, stands by me to help if needed, and always acting as my biggest motivator in life. Recent health issues further solidified these feelings, thus making me realize just how precious and important that her and my family really are.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope that I can translate my passion for the law and utilize the skills obtained from practical experience as well as law school in order to help those who were unfairly treated or wronged. As of now, I hope that I can do so in the employment law context (on the employer or employee side) to ensure that the workplace is a comfortable and fair place for all those involved.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain meaningful, practical experience in the legal field to see how lawyers work day-to-day and how I see myself fitting into this field (i.e. aspects in which I perform well and/or enjoy most).
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Self Care by Mac Miller.
|
|
Name: Alexa St. Julien
School: University of Missouri
Internship Company: Ameren
Where You're From: Peachtree City, Georgia
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I am naturally inclined to stand up for others who don’t have the opportunity to stand up for themselves. Through law I can help individuals businesses and organizations exercise their rights to engage in our community however they see fit. I want to become a lawyer so that I understand the laws and how they are written and applied. I believe in helping those who were marginalized during the times where the law was used to restrict some people’s rights.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: My mother has worked my whole life and had inspired me to put my career first. She encourages me to pursue all opportunities that will better me professionally. She is a major proponent for women breaking through the glass ceiling that had previously been set before us. She inspires me to achieve financial independence and a dynamic career.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I would like to work for a law firm and eventually transition into in house counsel for a company that I am passionate about!
4. What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship? *
I hope to strengthen my writing skills and learn to work more efficiently when I’m doing independent work. I also want to see how the law is applied in real life and how lawyers interact with their clients!
5. And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized? *
Trapped in the Drive Thru by Weird Al Yankovic
Anything else you'd like us to know?
My favorite animal are dachshunds
|
|
Name: Matt Warren
Schools: Butler University and University of Missouri School of Law
Internship Company: Washington University in St. Louis
Where You're From: O'Fallon, IL
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: I want to make positive change and help the St. Louis Community to continually grow in equality. I think through the law there is lots of opportunity to assist multiple people, companies, corporations, and our planet. I am competitive, driven, and ready to be a life long learner so the legal field seemed like the perfect fit.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: My parents are my greatest inspiration. They support me through thick and thin while having the most contagious energy and generous hearts. I can only hope to be as loving and kind as they are, because if everyone was this world would be a much brighter place.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to have the opportunity to serve and lead a major healthcare facility, environmental movement, or litigate an innovative patent that shakes the world to its core. Although diverse, any of them would make me think I lived a life worth living!
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain connections. I know St. Louis is a city built on tradition and legacy and I think it is time to shake up the status quo. Through the ACC, I will not only meet the fantastic attorneys at Washington University, but also be able to connect with a diverse group of attorneys united by a common goal of Inclusion within the legal field.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Dog Days are Over by Florence + the Machine (An incredible mood booster to make a great day even better).
|
|
Name: Sarah Zanola
School: Washington University
Internship Company: Emerson
Where You're From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Q: First off, why do you want to become a lawyer?
A: It is a career path that contains a a plethora of fields to specialize in and opens a great number of opportunities outside of the legal field. Also, I wanted a career that was challenging and had a high level of job and financial security.
Q: Who has been a major influence or inspiration to you?
A: Toni Morrison, my parents, my former employer.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
A: I hope to reach a level where I am considered an expert in the field and am able to provide guidance and opportunities to others.
Q: What do you hope to gain from your 2021 Summer Internship?
A: I hope to gain practical legal experience and a writing sample to use for the 2L summer job search. I also am hoping to determine if corporate law is the correct practice area for me.
Q: And just for fun, what’s one song you have completely memorized?
A: Tequila by The Champs
Q: Anything else you'd like us to know?
A: Not at this time. I am looking forward to starting my internship and getting to know those in the ACC program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
