We stood in silence at the top of the fifth. Then, we heard the roar of voices and stomping and clapping. “SELL.THE.TEAM!” The Reverse Boycott – started by fans of the Oakland Athletics and joined by baseball fans like me – gained national attention this summer as word spread through social media. The Oakland Coliseum was more crowded than ever. Baseball fans from around the country attended to persuade the Athletics ownership to stop the process of moving the team to Las Vegas. As Raider fans, we knew that feeling all too well.
I spent my summer finishing my doctoral dissertation on religion, labor, and immigration in California’s Central Valley. While the Reverse Boycott and workers in Fresno might seem unrelated, they are deeply connected to a tradition of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, class-transcending protest and striking in the Golden State. I found myself comparing the organizers of the Reverse Boycott to organizers of the United Farm Workers movement. Of course, fighting for a baseball team is different than demanding a living wage. But the Reverse Boycott named the stadium workers as a reason to stay in Oakland: moving the team would cause several thousand workers who earn their wages at the Coliseum to lose their livelihoods. The crowd was diverse on all fronts: race, ethnicity, religious identity, age, ability. I thought about what this meant for studying law, since Loyola’s orientation was mere weeks away.
I imagine everyone who begins law school is met with the question, “what kind of law?” I can’t answer that question yet: there is too much to explore, and I am enjoying the collective wonder and stress with my peers. I can’t help continuing to admire the Reverse Boycott organizers’ commitment to labor justice and advocacy for many immigrant workers. I am excited to continue the journey and learn.
During the summer of 2023, I went back home to visit my family. I have been living in Los Angeles for the past two years and thus the summers have gained a special meaning. This is the time when I reunite and enjoy my family.
This summer was especially significant to me as it was the first summer that I got to spend time with my father after his surgery. He is in the course of cancer treatment. Needless to say, these months have been emotionally difficult. As an international student attempting to migrate to the United States, my – seemingly – selfish journey has been topped with guilt for being away during such a challenging time.
For this, I spent my summer with my dearest ones. Indeed, the time I’ve spent away has made my heart grow fonder. The sweetest moments felt even more precious with the looming thought that my time with my dad might be limited. Even though I’ve always known that, his disease made it more real.
I am now back to school and devoting myself to my academic endeavors once again. However, a piece of my heart remains with my family. The same heart that is comforted by the hope of spending my next summer with my family, once again.
I spent this past summer working for Andelson Atkinson Loya Ruud and Romo in the Education Law Practice Group. I was tasked with conducting legal research on client questions and writing out memos for the partners who would then send over a response to the clients. Although a large majority of my time with the firm was spent in front of a computer, I was able to hone in my legal research and writing skills. I learned that writing for law school and writing for a partner could be vastly different particularly because many times I was asked to complete my tasks within hours or a day. I also had to become acquainted with saying no to associates or partners which can be daunting given the idea that you always want to make yourself available and put your best foot forward. Nevertheless, it was a skill I am thankful to have gained because burn out is real even as a law clerk.
In between the writing assignments and meetings, the partners made time (usually twice a week) to take us out to lunch and get to know us. They would give me and the other law clerks advice on how to proceed in the legal field and talk to us about their times as clerks. They took us out baseball games, both Angels and Dodgers, and we even got to do an escape room as a team. However, the best part about working at AALRR this past summer was getting to work with my mentor. Elena was a large reason as to why I wanted to work in AALRR. She got my foot in the door with the firm and then continued to support me throughout the summer. At least once a week she would check in and ask me how my week was going, give me some advice, and sometimes talk about the office culture and what I could expect if I came back to work for AALRR. On days I wasn’t in the office, I would spend my time with friends or just do some self-care.
Determined to help others and make a difference in the world, Amal Sardesai ’24 traveled the globe, learning and working, sharpening her skills, and expanding her perspectives. Those remarkable experiences fueled her inspiration and led her to Loyola Law School where she discovered her true calling, serving families in Los Angeles. She parlayed her wealth of experience into a job at Wasser, Copperman, & Mandles, the family law firm made famous in part by partner Laura Wasser ’94.
Helping People on an Multinational Scale
Her journey began with a decision to go overseas, attending the prestigious London School of Economics to study conflict resolution. “I was really interested in comparative politics and international relations,” she says, “and I planned to some day work for an NGO or nonprofit.” From London, she landed an opportunity to work in Beirut conducting research for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The center provides in-depth analysis of the political, socioeconomic, and security issues facing the Middle East and North Africa. Amal was given the opportunity to work on conflict resolution research for Kurdistan and Iraq. “Beirut was a beautiful and diverse city, full of history,” she says. “It was an incredible experience, and it made a lot of sense for me, given my background and interests, to have international work experience. I enjoyed the research, however I was craving more hands-on interaction.”
Returning to the United States, she was offered a job in D.C. working for AECOM Technology Corporation, a leading global infrastructure consulting firm dedicated to uplifting communities with sustainable solutions in architecture and environmental engineering. Amal’s conflict resolution studies and experience abroad were good preparation for her work on complex international contracts to build irrigation canals in Afghanistan. The U.S. aid-based project involved her operating on the ground as a project manager with government officials, contractors, and Afghan farmers. “It was very fulfilling,” she says. “I got to work on the front lines helping farmers develop a source of income to make their lives better, send their kids to schools, and create a sustainable existence. I got into this work because I wanted to make a positive impact in the world.” Working with the complexities of a multinational conglomerate, she realized that if she wanted to be truly effective in the long run, she would need to deepen her skill set with further education. She resolved to pursue an MBA and apply to Law School.
“I knew immediately that LLS was the real deal. They really practice what they preach.”
Pursuing a Law Degree for More Impact
Loyola Law School’s reputation and emphasis on public interest were significant factors in her decision to attend. “With all my professional and international experience, I knew immediately that LLS was the real deal,” she says. “They really practice what they preach. They’re not just coming in and teaching a class, a lot of them are successful practitioners who are on the front lines of public interest law every day.”
“This is what LLS means when they talk about community.”
The community at Loyola had a major impact right from the start. She had recently married, and four days before second-year classes started, she gave birth to her son. “I really wanted to continue and not take time off,” she says. “My professors were so accommodating. I was able to do the first few weeks from home, watch lectures and keep up with my schoolwork, then return to campus when my son was a little bit older, which made a world of a difference. I never felt like I was a number. The professors are real allies. They even share their personal contact information with students if they need to get in touch, which is honestly amazing, this is what LLS means when they talk about community. They even created a pumping room when I needed a private space to feed my baby! And students continue to use that resource today.
Finding Purpose at Home
An opportunity to intern at the Dependency Court Mediation Assistance Clinic within the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution was a transformative experience.
Sara Campos, director of the clinic and professor, became an important mentor. “She really helped me discover my true calling,” says Amal. “I knew I wanted to work in the pro bono space and I have always been interested in mediation. I was given the perfect opportunity. The clinics really help you develop and hone your skills and interests. We worked on real court cases with parents and visitation agreements for their kids. The final exit from dependency court is an all-day process. These families don’t normally have the resources to get this kind of help and advice. On that one day you really have a tangible effect on peoples’ lives for the better, and you can see the impact you’re making on a daily basis.”
“I never thought I would become a lawyer,” Amal reflects. “However, my experience at LLS introduced me to my true passion and shifted my perspective. It was eye-opening. While I’ve been able to travel and do amazing things worldwide, my next chapter is right here in Los Angeles, where I can make a difference in my own backyard. I realize the importance of this work, especially as a parent myself. Public interest law and mediation are the driving forces that will help me truly make a meaningful impact in the world, and I am committed to continuing my work at the clinic, where I can assist families from marginalized communities in the region to help them realize better lives for themselves and their children.
Impressive doesn’t even begin to define Marjorie’s career. But, her career path leading up to her current role as senior vice president of business and legal affairs for Skydance Sports, which has produced such hits as the movie “Air,” has been anything but linear. A passion for international law after joining the Air Force led to a discovery of the power of entertainment while she was in law school. She brought the skills she was learning in the military and her passion for social justice to the clinics she participated in at LLS and eventually her career as an entertainment lawyer. After my brief conversation with Marjorie I left not only feeling proud to soon be joining an alumni network that includes people as inspiring as Major Marjorie Williams (Ret.), but also appreciative of the reminder of the real-world application that my current LLS endeavors will have in my future legal career.
DD: I know your legal career has centered around the entertainment industry and you’ve said that Loyola introduced you to the power of entertainment. What is it about that power that you find so intriguing?
MW: Well, it’s interesting because I came from a background in the military where the entertainment industry was like the furthest thing from my mind, honestly. Being in LA and working in entertainment is like being in DC and working in the government. You throw a rock and someone does something in that capacity in this space. And, I realized just how much it translates across the world, right? I travel a ton and no matter where you go there’s some part of American culture or pop culture that really kind of drives, not only trends but also conversations. To take it a step further, for me, Loyola has social justice in its fabric. That’s at the core of some of the identifiable characteristics that Loyola eats, sleeps, and breathes. There’s a lot of power in entertainment in terms of the ability to highlight various causes as well. So I think that’s the biggest thing for me in terms of realizing how the power of entertainment can be utilized to further whatever cause you may support.
DD: They say with great power, like the power of entertainment, comes great responsibility. What do you feel is your responsibility as an attorney in entertainment or do you even feel like you have some sort of responsibility in that space?
MW: I think, for me, what I’m probably most focused on right now is the legacy. The industry as a whole has been one that has been really kind of unattainable in a lot of ways as far as access to it. And to me certainly in the legal field. So what I’ve been really passionate about is talking to people about what opportunities actually exist and then trying to help connect the dots. They have to do the work once they get in, show up for the interviews, and show up with their grades but so many people just never had access to the industry. So, by default, they’re unaware of the opportunities beyond what you typically see in front of the camera. There are a number of students around LA that know me because I try to be very intentional and welcoming and open to dialogue and conversations with whoever wants to talk to me. In particular from underrepresented demographics.
DD: I know you were also a Major in the Air Force. What skills did you learn in the Air Force that you think have best served you in your current role?
MW: I tell people, one, just being an Officer early on in your 20s, you’re taught about leadership and in particular leading teams. So much of what the industry is is a team and people have to come together to collaborate in order to execute. For me, just the ability to be a good team player, because a lot of people, particularly in this industry, act as if it’s only about them and want people to see how amazing they are. But it’s also being a leader even when you’re not in a leadership position. My first job I was the low man on the totem pole but at that point I was a Captain in the Air Force, I had a master’s degree in international relations and I had a law degree. If I didn’t know how to jump into this new sector it would have been highly problematic. I also think what’s really important for lawyers is not only our written communication but our verbal communication. The military taught me that early on because I was responsible for doing briefings in my role as an Intelligence Officer. A lot of my job was not only briefing pilots or people who were around my same rank but at times I was briefing Colonels and even Generals. I joined in 2000 and the world changed in 2001. A part of my career was supporting some of the efforts of the war, so, it really just hones in that as a lawyer it’s important to get to your point quickly while having the background information so you’re prepared when your audience has questions. The flip side is also listening. That’s such an important skill particularly for lawyers. It’s critical in particular in negotiating because I pay attention to what the other side’s real needs are. It helps me be more effective as a negotiator because if the other side feels heard it becomes a less antagonistic negotiation. The firm I’m at hired me from my interactions with them on the other side of deals. That speaks volumes. It’s a testament to my negotiation style as an attorney.
At this point in the conversation Marjorie and I started talking more about transferrable skills and how to sell yourself in a new industry where you might doubt that you have the type of experience the employer is looking for.
MW: I think sometimes, when you come from external industries, you may come with a bit of self-doubt, in terms of starting over. A lot of people’s paths to law school are very linear, and you go from undergrad and go right into law school. But I also think there is a lot to having life experience and bringing those experiences to the table, I think it’s only additive as an amplifier in your educational experience because you really have context for some of the things you learn.
DD: You just mentioned self-doubt. Is imposter syndrome something you’ve dealt with and worried that you weren’t qualified to take on these new projects? Or do you think you always went into big career milestones with confidence?
MW: My career path has certainly been the opposite of linear and very non-traditional. I’m not afraid to learn something new. And so, I think a lot of what my confidence can be attributed to, is, again, really all of the things that I did in the military. When you’re, you know, in your 20s, and let’s be clear, at a time, where there’s a lot of conflict you learn pretty quickly, how to find your voice, and do it effectively. At this point, I can’t tell you the last time I really felt like, this is something that is going to be insurmountable. And let’s be honest, I’m a very spiritual person. So for me also, I’m very clear that I’m always going to be taken care of even though there are times where maybe the job isn’t what I thought it was going to be, or certainly life isn’t without challenge. That’s absolutely the case in my situation. I lost my parents when I was a teenager. I was raised by my cousin who was very young at the time, but she instilled a sense of just foundational understanding of “you can be successful”. You’re adding those to your toolkit of, “If I if I can do that, I can certainly do this.” If I can help with hostage rescues, if I can help our pilots decide where they’re going to target and get back safely and we will figure this all out. We’ll put our heads together.
DD: Looking back at your time at Loyola, what would you say was the thing that you did here that best helped prepare you for the working world?
MW: I think it was really getting practical experience. I did clinics. I did externships. I did small firm reception and got a job working for a person who worked in music. It was those practical experiences because there were areas that I was exposed to from working while I was in law school that I didn’t know existed. And again, building upon those experiences is what led me to an awareness of what actually is even out there.
DD: My last question for you is do you have any advice for incoming law students that are hoping to work in entertainment law after graduation?
MW: Buckle up! The biggest thing is just understanding that there’s no linear path. I have friends who have practiced in private practice before coming to entertainment. One of my boss’s bosses, who is effectively the COO at Amazon Studios, was a public defender or DA at one point. I think, if you want to do this, just stay at it because you’re gonna hear a lot of no’s. And in some cases you’re gonna have to take one step back, or even two steps back. When I started out I was temping. That’s how I got my job. I came out when we were the first class that was impacted by the recession. It was disastrous for my class. Law firms were closing. They were rescinding offers. They were paying people not to come into work. For me, I thought, “Oh, the other area that I would have gone into was government.” Whether that was city attorney, homeland security, white-collar anti-terrorism, something like that. But government wasn’t hiring. A friend connected me with another friend that I met at a birthday party who happened to own a temping agency and they were like, “you can at least temp while you’re waiting on bar results.” I thought that was a way to get some sort of experience. In temping you think this is not going to be permanent. It’s just a temporary thing. But I sought out opportunities to continue to get experience. That’s the advice that I can tell whomever, no matter what you’re doing, to seek out opportunities to get some sort of experience. In those experiences you also never know who you’re gonna meet. And the entertainment industry is very much about, not only who you know, but who knows you. I don’t know that I’ve cold-applied for anything. From temping for this family that I met at a birthday party through a military friend to the various routes I’ve had, it’s all been through something who’s reached out to me or referred a recruiter to me. To students, I can’t underscore that no matter where you are, show up. No matter where you are try and get the best that you can out of whatever you’re doing. And just be pleasant. It goes such a long way in just coming to work with an attitude to “how can I help.” People notice that and remember that.
Tin’s trajectory from an undergraduate student who took the LSAT for fun to a first-generation attorney at a global law firm is nothing short of inspiring. While law school was not always his intended career path, once he decided to embark on his legal journey, he had no doubt that LLS was the perfect place for him. My conversation with Tin was a powerful reminder of the importance of taking ownership of your career and advocating for your abilities, no matter how “junior” you are. Tin is a testament to the diversity, tenacity, and commitment of the LLS network and I am grateful to call him a mentor and a future colleague.
Mariana: What was your trajectory into the law and how did you end up choosing LLS?
Tin: Law school is not something that I always knew I wanted to do. I’m not one of those people who went to undergrad being interested in the law and knowing they wanted to go to law school. I took the LSAT before I was even interested in law school. My older sister was always interested in law school and she decided to study for the LSAT, so we thought it would be a good idea if we studied for it at the same time. I really enjoyed the LSAT and funny enough, I ended up wanting to go to law school and she never even opened her test score. After that I started working at a superior courthouse in downtown San Diego and I loved it. That job was so fun. Being in chambers and seeing judges and court proceedings as an undergrad really solidified my interest in the law. After that, Loyola was an easy decision because I wanted to be in southern California. I went to Preview Day for admitted students not knowing what law students are like and if the environment is supposed to be hostile or competitive, but it was not the case at Loyola. From the first Loyola person I met, I had a really positive experience. People were genuinely happy to be there and were happily volunteering their time on a Sunday to be at school, and that’s something you wouldn’t expect from a law school and something that I felt wasn’t the case at other law schools. So Loyola was an easy pick based on the location and because it was very clear that people wanted to be there.
Mariana: What were some classes, either during 1L, 2L, or 3L, that you found particularly meaningful or useful in your career?
Tin: Intro to negotiations. We showed up every class just to negotiate, so that was way more useful to me than a standard lecture class. It was practical because all you did was more experience negotiating with other future lawyers. That was 100% transferrable to my practice. Another great class was exploring the role of in-house counsel. That class introduces you to a lot of in-house counsel. You learn practical skills like sitting in on board meetings and how general counsel are selected, which is not something you think about a lot. But it is so applicable because most of us will end up being firm attorneys right out of law school, so we don’t know what it will be like to get in-house experience until we have the opportunity to do so.
Mariana: What was your favorite part about Loyola throughout your time there?
Tin: It’s very hard because there’s so many great things to say. But if I had to pick only one, and it’s hard to put in a box, I think the best thing about Loyola is that people genuinely care for each other. People, students, and alumni generally care about you succeeding. For example, during my 1L summer, it was the beginning of the pandemic, and everyone was kind of scrambling to find summer jobs. I reached out to my 1L-assigned Loyola mentor, and he reached out to a friend who was also a fellow LLS alum who was looking to hire. All my mentor had to say was “this is a 1L student, he’s my mentee.” He didn’t even say anything else and I got hired right away.
Mariana: What is one thing you wish you would’ve discovered earlier at Loyola, or a Loyola “life hack”? Mine is silly and simple, but I didn’t realize that if you go to Sonia’s you can just get water and ice from the vending machine so you don’t always have to go to the water fountains and they let you do it for free and you can always have ice water!
Tin: That’s a great hack, and maybe even more practical than the one I have to give. But mine, which I discovered as a 3L, is that you’d be surprised how willing professors are to go to lunch or dinner or grab a coffee with you. You always think that the best way to interact with your professors is during office hours. But they are much more willing to create a more personal relationship with their students than you’d think.
Mariana: You spoke a little already about how you found your 1L job opportunity. Once you were going into your 2L year, there’s OCI and the whole recruiting process which is a big part of a lot of students’ experience at Loyola. What are some pillars or values of firms that you were looking for when you were going through the recruiting process?
Tin: My advice might be more general because I had no idea what I wanted to do, so my interests were very broad. But you really have to lean into the people more than your interests sometimes, unless there is something really specific you know you want to do. But in terms of values, you just have to find people you want to work with. You have to take ownership of the job hunt. You’re not begging for a job, you’re qualified and coming from a great school. So ask yourself: what do I want out of this job? Don’t just go for any job you land, because realistically you will have a lot of options, whether you do private practice or public interest. When you project your interests and take ownership in your interviews, it comes across well. For example, for me, I wanted a place where they would let juniors and new attorneys have as many opportunities as they earn. It was important to me that if you can do the work, you are given it, instead of certain work being reserved to only 3rd or 4th years. So that is something I took ownership of in my interviews.
Mariana: While you were going through this process, did you feel supported by Loyola, whether it be through career services or outside career services, in a way that was reflective of your choices?
Tin: The backbone of support is definitely career services, and they will help you as long as you ask. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost and not even know what to ask, so relying on CDO to hand-pick jobs for you is not realistic given the number of students. But if you encounter a problem or have something specific in mind that you’re searching for and you give them that specific information to work with, that is way more productive than: “I’m looking for a summer job I don’t know where to start.” And beyond CDO, the support also comes from alumni. If you find a firm you like and then find one Loyola alum at that firm, you’d be so surprised how willing they are to prep you for that interview or application. Going out of the way to find even just one person sets you up for success because there’s no better way to learn about an employer than someone who’s working there. And Loyola alum won’t sugarcoat it or not be transparent with you, so that’s how I felt supported.
Mariana: Right now you are an associate at Gibson in the Corporate Transactional group. How did you pick this group, or was it more like the group chose you? And what was your experience like finding your place in that group?
Tin: My answer will be a little funky if you compare me to other alumni because Gibson is famous for its free market system where for the first 2 years at the firm you are unassigned. You’re not in a specific group and I get to rotate in between all the groups if I wanted to. So right now I am rotating through the Corporate group, but I am not formally assigned there yet. It’s a completely optional program, but that being said I did choose to go into corporate first. I think law school is so geared towards litigation, so I knew that if I ever wanted to be a corporate attorney I wanted to start my career by getting that exposure. I didn’t want to have a late start since I would already be a little behind the learning curve compared to people who always knew they wanted to be a transactional attorney. So timing-wise it made the most sense, but I also knew that I didn’t like the traditional motion-writing and research work that comes with litigation. But the pleasant surprise there is that there are so many opportunities to do litigation that is not just legal research and writing, which is something I didn’t know heading out of law school. So if you’re a little on the border like I was, maybe talk to people who practice litigation in a less traditional sense. For example, people who do internal investigations or government investigations or white collar defense. You’d be surprised that they don’t just do research and motions, they do a lot of fact-finding, presentations, the fun parts in my opinion of litigation. That’s why I chose corporate first, but at the same time I am not exclusively doing corporate work.
Mariana: I also want to touch on your experience as a first-generation person of color at a large law firm. We are going into spaces where traditionally we don’t see people like us, so sometimes it may feel like the learning curve going into these particular types of firms or into the legal profession at large is very steep. What did you feel was the steepest learning curve you’ve faced so far?
Tin: As a person of color, minority, woman, or first-generation attorney or law student, it comes down to comfort and confidence. At the end of the day, sometimes you will feel like you don’t belong. And that isn’t always a product of anything, it is just a feeling that is hard to shake off if you’re not comfortable. But that comfort and confidence is what good employers and firms will do a good job at in helping you grow. The first step is that some people are better than others at recognizing that it is a disadvantage or an obstacle. I think employers who brush it off as not a problem in the workplace or the legal industry say a lot about how cognizant they are about the people who want to join their firm. Firms who recognize this, for example those that have a first-gen affinity group, say a lot about their commitment to diversity. It’s easier to feel comfortable when you know other people are in the same boat as you. During the recruiting process, it’s a completely valid question to ask about.
The important thing is the comfort part. You have to be cognizant that it’s more internal pressure, there will be no one telling you that you shouldn’t feel comfortable. It’s often really self-imposed and it’s hard to get over the feeling at first. But the more you practice the more you get over it and learn how to be more confident.
Mariana: Next I wanted to talk a bit about financial literacy. We know what the salaries are like at these big firms, the numbers are everywhere. Young attorneys can potentially be making significant amounts of money, and sometimes as a first-gen you may the first person in your family who makes this kind of salary. You maybe now are trying to navigate the complexities of having the kind of money neither you nor your parents had growing up. How do you work on financial literacy and wellness?
Tin: You won’t really know until you ask, and there are so many opportunities and resources that will be available to you once you feel comfortable asking for them. It might be a new problem for you, but your coworkers already went through it even if it was a new experience for them as well at first. Asking older associates what they did in terms of retirement, 401K, benefits, insurance, what financial planning or new homeowner services they recommend. It’s not about asking the most intimate details of their financial lives, but simple questions like: What’s a 401K and what do I do with it? How do I pay off my student loans? People are so happy to help you, we’re in the same career and a lot of people had this first experience as well. So don’t try to figure it out by yourself. Asking questions as they come up will come a long way. And not just your coworkers, but other alum from your school. And ask about credit cards! Attorneys love talking about credit cards and points.
Mariana: Lastly, as a junior attorney I imagine you are trying to balance doing good work and establishing yourself at your firm, so work-life balance might look a little different for you now than it might for a more senior associate, but what does that balance look like for you? Do you struggle with balancing being present at the firm and also just learning how to be a new attorney?
Tin: It all comes down to good will. As a new attorney you don’t have any good will so people don’t know what your work quality or ethic is like. People don’t know if you’re willing to work nights, weekends, or holidays. So the earlier you can showcase that you produce high work quality and are a team player and that you are willing to contribute to the team when it’s not convenient for you, the more people will reward you for it. People are willing to be more courteous once you show them your good will. So in terms of work-life balance and establishing that reputation early on, the more you say yes and establish a good name for yourself early on, the easier it is to set boundaries and have a better work-life balance.
Poet, activist, humanitarian, and soon-to-be lawyer, Emily Bernstein has always been driven to decode a chaotic world and help others with her work. From Los Angeles to Jerusalem, to Salt Lake City, and back, she charted a path to find her passion for justice and international human rights, eventually landing in a community of like-minded scholars and practitioners at Loyola Law School with access to the most impactful legal clinics in Los Angeles, dedicated to social justice.
Coming of age in a technology-driven era that revolutionized communications yet brought about complex challenges with misinformation, polarization, privacy, and mental health, Bernstein initially found solace and purpose in writing. “I am a poet by trade,” she says. “When I write poetry, I can put voice to whatever I’m feeling. It helps me find my own voice inside the chaos of the world.”
The Arts as Universal Translator
With early aspirations for a career in publishing, Bernstein first set out to pursue studies in English and Writing at Chapman University, in Orange, CA. Initially, her writing focused on themes of mental health, yet as she advanced academically, she found herself increasingly drawn to coursework in political science, which soon began to inform and enhance her creative efforts. “Art in itself is political,” Bernstein contends, and as she delved deeper into political science, she began to recognize the profound interconnections with her artistic passions. Enrolling in a course that required the study of theory, exploration of landmark Supreme Court cases, and the development of her own legal arguments, further piqued her interest. Eventually, she found herself immersed in a transformative international human rights course that completely altered her academic and professional trajectory.
Just as language and poetry had served to help her translate disorder into meaning, international law seemed to have a similar potential. “Finding the human connection in the chaos is what law becomes for me. I can better understand how we got where we are now not just by studying the rules, but how they’ve been put to use in real peoples’ lives over the years. Constitutional Law is a great example — building from a set of best intentions through interpretation is where the truth surfaces and humanity comes to life.”
“Building from a set of best intentions through interpretation is where the truth surfaces and humanity comes to life.”
At graduation, with a thesis consisting of over 40 pages of pointed political writing and poems on topics such as mental health, Israeli politics, international criminal courts, and religion, Bernstein had made an important decision; she would go on to study Law. However, before taking the LSAT and applying to schools, she decided it was important to pursue opportunities that would give her lived experiences in the field. “I like to know how things work—how the sausage gets made,” she says. “It helps me see the bigger picture in the end, which helps shape my experience.”
Exploring Law in the Real World
Bernstein first found an administrative job working in a corporate law firm. Although she didn’t personally connect with the practice of corporate law, she enjoyed talking with attorneys, reading depositions, and interacting with the California Courts. She then landed an opportunity to work in Israel for a year. Supported by a fellowship, she lived in Jerusalem working for a non-governmental organization helping recently immigrated Ethiopian Jews assimilate into Israeli society. “Israeli society can be impenetrable at times,” she says. “The education system is all public, and it’s very competitive. If you don’t pass certain tests at certain times, your opportunities are limited.” The core organization was created to even the playing field, and the program helped level set for immigrants. While in Jerusalem, Bernstein experienced a profound connection to the advocacy work. She enjoyed researching Israeli law and was even given the opportunity to go to the West Bank to meet with the military lawyer and speak to attorneys who had practiced in the states before moving to Israel.
When she returned from Jerusalem, Bernstein resolved to study for the LSAT and start applying to schools while continuing to explore work options. She landed a job as an assistant in the Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office, under the DA. The office handled infractions up to Class B misdemeanors, and the prosecutors invited her to court, let her read motions, and assist with trial preparation. She was able to attend virtual hearings, observe defense lawyers in action, and witness the inner workings of court first-hand.
When it came time to apply to schools, Bernstein had a clear vision of exactly what she wanted to do. “I was so connected to the human rights advocacy and policy I did in Israel, working and learning about international and foreign law, that I felt much more passionate about that than any other kind of law I had the opportunity to work with.” With her interests crystalized by her experiences, she began to research her options.
“I was so connected to the human rights advocacy and policy that I did in Israel, working and learning about international and foreign law.”
Finding Her Passion and Community
Loyola Law School quickly stood out from the pack with its access to extraordinary opportunities through the Loyola Social Justice Clinic. “When I was asking questions, I never felt like I was just a statistic or a number to them,” she says. “They were really interested in me and what I wanted.” When Bernstein inquired about the program and shared her interests, she was promptly connected to current students and practitioners in international law who shared their experiences and insights. She immediately felt empowered and treated like an equal. With the largest alumni network in Southern California, it was clear that the LLS community went way beyond the classroom. “I have never once thought that Loyola was the wrong choice,” she says. “I’ve never attended a school, including college, and especially high school, where I want to be involved when I graduate. However, I feel the complete opposite about Loyola. That sense of community doesn’t go away. Most students here feel the same drive and passion for the law as I do, and that’s what bolsters the community. It’s so helpful in a school environment to be around similar people that are also driven.”
From the very beginning, Bernstein recognized Loyola’s commitment to training lawyers who not only excel in their philosophical and analytical capacities but also demonstrate proficiency in practical and professional skills. “Our classes are taught from a practical perspective, not a theoretical perspective,” she says. “I think this is a shift that a lot of schools are making, but Loyola’s been doing it for a very long time. There’s so much focus on experiential learning. On the first day of class, one of my professors said, ‘I’m going to talk to you like lawyers, not students,’ and that was so empowering. Everyone here understands, the administration understands that the students have this strong desire to hit the ground running and we will learn as we go under supervision for sure.”
“On the first day of class, one of my professors said, ‘I’m going to talk to you like lawyers, not students,’ and that was so empowering.”
Currently in her second year of the J.D. program, Bernstein has already worked with Loyola’s Genocide Justice Clinic to assist survivors of the Nazi Holocaust seeking reparations, developed a brief and authored a memo articulating a substantive law to an international tribunal for a Ukrainian case in the European Court of Human Rights, and is now working in an internship at the Department of Justice. “I am not only getting client-facing real-life experience, but I am also learning by doing. Other law schools have clinics, yes, but there’s not as much of a focus on them. The professors and attorneys that run our clinics trust our students, and the attorneys supervising us trust us to do a lot of the work on our own and only redirect us when we get off track. My father used to say, ‘… in law school, you learn how to write about the law, you don’t learn how to practice the law…,’ but I don’t feel that way at all. I can write about the law, sure, but I know how to practice the law because my professors have taught me, and that’s a huge difference.”
To practice law is to build from best intentions; to interpret, translate, and improve upon structures and rules to make them work for everyone. For Emily Bernstein, practicing law is what makes sense of the chaos and ensures a better, more just, and equitable future for all.
On one hand, George C. Fatheree III ’07, is an expert in complex real estate transactions at Sidley Austin LLP. On the other, he’s a fierce champion of social justice, racial equity and the arts. Put the two together, and you get a uniquely dynamic changemaker. One who can leverage the power of law to make a real impact on the social issues he cares deeply about. When he was called to rescue the priceless archives of Ebony and Jet magazines, Fatheree brought both his passion for cultural history and his sharp, practical legal expertise.
A Black cultural treasure, in jeopardy
It’s hard to overstate the importance of Ebony and Jet magazines in Black America. At its peak, Ebony alone reached over 40% of African-American adults.
The archives of Ebony and Jet are a cultural treasure trove, home to four million photos, as well as 100,000 film and audio recordings. According to the New York Times, it is “the most significant collection of photographs depicting African American life in the 20th century.”
In 2019, the parent company of the iconic magazines, Johnson Publishing, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The archives were put up for sale, and at risk of being damaged, destroyed, or, if sold to the wrong private owner, vanishing forever.
For Fatheree, those outcomes were unacceptable. “Nothing else like these archives exists,” he says. “It’s a visual documentation of eight decades of African American history — which is to say American history.”
Fatheree got to work. He and several of his partners at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP toiled around the clock for five days straight, dealing with bankruptcy, corporate, tax, intellectual property and litigation issues, hoping to guide the archives into responsible hands. “The scope of the project was immense,” he says.
Fatheree helped strike a deal, forever preserving the archives with the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and other public institutions. Most importantly, there are plans to create an exhibition of the work for everyone to see.
Bruce family 2018 reunion in Bruce’s Beach, Ca.
“Loyola’s JD was the strongest game in town.”
Just a few years earlier, George Fatheree wasn’t in law at all — he was running an education nonprofit. “I loved what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to go back and get my degree,” he says. “I wasn’t going to leave Los Angeles and I didn’t want to quit my job. I needed a program that would provide the flexibility that my family and I needed.”
As he began to research law programs, Fatheree didn’t want any JD — he wanted the best. “I wasn’t going to compromise quality,” he says. “It needed to be a program with a school that had a top reputation, with reputable faculty, with peers who I thought I could learn from. And really Loyola was the strongest game in town.”
Looking back, he has no doubt that LLS was the right choice.
“This is what I’ve been called to do. To make a real impact on issues I’m passionate about. And Loyola made it possible.”
Practical legal skills in action
When the Johnson archive went up for sale at bankruptcy auction, Fatheree had five days to pull together a team and solve a host of bankruptcy, corporate, tax, intellectual property and litigation issues. “The scope of the project was immense,” he says. “I’d never done this exact thing before, but I was pretty sure no one had.”
Fatheree wasn’t a bankruptcy attorney, but he did know how to lead a diverse team. Diverse classmates — hailing from disparate industries and walks of life — are everywhere at the law school. “We had a woman who was a professional ballerina,” he says. “We had a gentleman who had just retired from the military, we had engineers and entrepreneurs. I was always leading and contributing to diverse teams.”
He also knew how to ask the right questions. He learned that from his professors, who were deeply immersed in their profession. “I remember driving into my office,” he says, “listening to the radio and hearing my professors talk about the most important cases in the news, and then, a few hours later, I’d be in their class raising my hand, asking questions.” Loyola Law is proudly located in downtown L.A. — the epicenter of law in Southern California. This proximity enables professors to work at the height of their craft during the day, and share those experiences with their students in the evening.
When taking on a challenge of this magnitude, the right education makes the difference. “A J.D. from Loyola is not all about deep, philosophical legal questions that can never be answered, Fatheree says. “It’s about how to be a lawyer in the real world.”
Welcome to a family of difference makers
Fatheree stays active with Loyola Law as co-chair of the Black Alumni Committee. He also teaches a class called Real Estate Transactions Practicum that uses as its textbook actual, redacted contracts from real estate deals on which he has worked.
He’s proud to be a part of the LLS legacy — a 100-year-old history of producing multidimensional lawyers who make a tangible difference in the world. It’s a legacy George Fatheree takes pride in building every day in his work and in the classroom.
Loyola gave him the tools to be an elite hybrid, one who closes billion dollar financing transactions one day, and the next, represents Holocaust survivors and secures reparations from the German government. “It’s really transformative how Loyola Law School is thinking about the hybrid JD program,” Fatheree says. “I got real life skills and experience to pursue and impact things that I’m passionate about, and that are important to my family.”
Ready to turn your passion into practice? Loyola’s hybrid JD program provides non-traditional students with unparalleled access to professors like George Fatheree, who practice law by day and teach at night. It’s hard to overstate the importance of Ebony and Jet magazines in Black America. At its peak, Ebony alone reached over 40% of African-American adults.
The archives of Ebony and Jet are a cultural treasure trove, home to four million photos, as well as 100,000 film and audio recordings. According to the New York Times, it is “the most significant collection of photographs depicting African American life in the 20th century.”
In 2019, the parent company of the iconic magazines, Johnson Publishing, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The archives were put up for sale, and at risk of being damaged, destroyed, or, if sold to the wrong private owner, vanishing forever.
For Fatheree, those outcomes were unacceptable. “Nothing else like these archives exists,” he says. “It’s a visual documentation of eight decades of African American history — which is to say American history.”
Fatheree got to work. He and several of his partners at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP toiled around the clock for five days straight, dealing with bankruptcy, corporate, tax, intellectual property and litigation issues, hoping to guide the archives into responsible hands. “The scope of the project was immense,” he says.
Fatheree helped strike a deal, forever preserving the archives with the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and other public institutions. Most importantly, there are plans to create an exhibition of the work for everyone to see.
A fitting conclusion
It’s hard to overstate the importance of Ebony and Jet magazines in Black America. At its peak, Ebony alone reached over 40% of African-American adults.
The archives of Ebony and Jet are a cultural treasure trove, home to four million photos, as well as 100,000 film and audio recordings. According to the New York Times, it is “the most significant collection of photographs depicting African American life in the 20th century.”
In 2019, the parent company of the iconic magazines, Johnson Publishing, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The archives were put up for sale, and at risk of being damaged, destroyed, or, if sold to the wrong private owner, vanishing forever.
For Fatheree, those outcomes were unacceptable. “Nothing else like these archives exists,” he says. “It’s a visual documentation of eight decades of African American history — which is to say American history.”
Fatheree got to work. He and several of his partners at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP toiled around the clock for five days straight, dealing with bankruptcy, corporate, tax, intellectual property and litigation issues, hoping to guide the archives into responsible hands. “The scope of the project was immense,” he says.
Fatheree helped strike a deal, forever preserving the archives with the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and other public institutions. Most importantly, there are plans to create an exhibition of the work for everyone to see.
About three months have passed since the fall semester of 2L begun and I still feel like a 1L. LOL
This year is different in a lot of ways but the biggest difference is everyone independently has a lot going on. For myself, I’m typically on campus Monday and Wednesday, with three classes each day: Con Law, Ethical Lawyering, and Business Associations. On Thursday, I have a clinic meeting from 9 AM to 12 PM. The clinic itself requires about 10 hours of work, aside from the 3 hour Thursday meeting. This particular schedule keeps me very busy throughout the week, including weekends. However, after 1L year I learned that neglecting self-care and time away from work is not the way to be a successful law student. Neglecting yourself will lead to burn out which will then take away from your law school experience. So, during a typical day of this semester, I leave to school at 12 PM, Monday and Wednesday and stay on campus until 10:10 PM. I have a three-hour gap somewhere in between, so I try to use that time to read, study, and have lunch. The remainder of the week, I run personal errands, prepare for my classes, work on my clinic’s clients’ cases, and REST. Thankfully, my current schedule has allowed me to continue painting, which is my hobby. A painting can take me anywhere from 2-6 hours or more, so I have to block out specific periods of time to create a balance between my schoolwork and my hobbies.
Planning ahead has definitely helped keep this balance but I am human and not every week goes as planned… and that’s okay! Finding balance looks different for everyone, but if you’re like me and you need specific guidelines to do anything…definitely create a list of priorities for the semester and model your to-do lists after these priorities. In creating a list of priorities, do not forget that you and your wellbeing are also priorities. It’s all trial and error, really, but the most important thing is to keep going!
The end of the semester is the perfect opportunity to not only reflect upon your performance on the immediate semester, but also the ones of years past. As a first-year student, when you are in the thick of things, and learning with a whole new set of style and demands, it can be hard to reflect. But looking back on my first-year experience, I am overall proud of the obstacles I overcame, but I do believe I could have done things differently. So, I would like to take this opportunity to pass on some advice to the incoming students and the 1L class. One of the greatest pieces of advice I would take as a 1L student is not to be afraid of practice too early. Many students are used to mastering the material first, but there’s a lot of benefit to early practice. Don’t be afraid to start working on practice problems and essays even before you are comfortable! Continued practice can solidify what you already know, and identify the weak spots early. It’s not about getting it perfect, but seeing the improvement over time. But the single best piece of advice I would give is to adopt a growth mindset. To put in concisely, the growth mindset takes our thinking from “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it… yet”. Seeing struggles as an opportunity for improvement is pivotal to enduring the marathon of law school. It acknowledges that these struggles can be hard, but that they are not impossible. I encourage all students to look into the growth mindset in general, as it really can apply to any aspect of life. I wish all students going into finals the best of luck and happy holidays!
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