Building Relationships with Faculty

I have found the clinical programs at Loyola to be a fantastic way to build relationships with faculty. In the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic (JIFS) and Employment Rights Clinic, I have been able to work closely with professors on real-world legal issues. In my clinics, I am not only encouraged to interface with faculty, I’m required to. In JIFS, I meet regularly with professors Sean Kennedy and Christopher Hawthorne and adjunct professors Efty Sharony and Susan Harbert. In Employment Rights, I work right alongside adjunct professor Cornelia Dai, who is also a partner at a plaintiff-side employment law firm.

My clinical professors have been nothing short of outstanding to work with. I feel completely comfortable discussing nearly any issue with them. I can come to them for pointed legal advice, for tips on dealing with clients, or for overall career/school advice. There has never been a moment when I’ve felt a chasm between myself and my clinical professors, and I feel that’s the common vibe throughout Loyola’s clinical programs – Loyola has clearly fostered and encouraged that sort of environment.

Besides my clinical work, I have also felt at ease in dealing with my regular professors. Some may seem more approachable than others, but I would never be concerned that they don’t care or aren’t interested in my progress. Emails are always returned, questions always answered, and concerns are always addressed. Beyond addressing class-related issues, I have noticed that most, if not all, professors genuinely care about their students’ lives and will help them with issues even outside of their course. I genuinely feel that relationships with my professors now will last throughout my professional career.