Alumni Attorney Talks | Susan Zielke

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

SUSAN ZIELKE

ManaginG Attorney of the Eastern Regional Office of Land of Lincoln Legal Aid

Learn more about Land of Lincoln by clicking here.

Quick Facts about Susan Zielke
  • Law School: University of Illinois College of Law
  • UIUC Undergraduate Major: English Language and Literature
  • Susan’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Service | Access |  Justice

CHECK OUT THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW BELOW!  

Alumni Attorney Talks | Michael Damergis

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Michael Damergis

U.S. Bank, Vice President, Compliance Manager

QUICK FACTS ABOUT Michael Damergis
    • Law School: Chicago-Kent College of Law
    • UIUC Undergraduate Major:  Accounting
    • Michael’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Research | Connections | Perception

CHECK OUT THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW BELOW!  

Reflections from Senior Pre-Law Students

Part II: Reflections from Senior Pre-Law Students

We hope that you enjoyed Part I of our two-part Reflections series with graduating law student, Courtney Koenig. If you missed it, you can access it here. In Part II, we hope you will enjoy reading and hearing reflections from three May 2022 graduating pre-law students!

Peer Perspectives:

Student peers can be some of the best resources for students to turn to while being pre-law students. Because everyone has their own, unique journey, it can be beneficial to gain different ideas and perspectives.

Three of our undergraduate senior pre-law students, Alice, Meera and Stella, share their personal experiences while being students here at UIUC and offer insights and advice about being pre-law, student organizations and activities, internships and externships, and more!

Are you interested in pre-law? We invite you to get curious and explore! Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

    • Interested in taking classes that will help build essential skills for law school? Check out our Course Recommendation Charts for Summer and Fall 2022. There are classes from a variety of majors.
    • Have you joined pre-law student organizations? Click here to learn more about the pre-law student organizations.
    • Do you want to gain invaluable experience before attending law school? Check out our internship document for endless opportunities including pre-law ones.
    • Join our Canvas page to have access to all things Pre-Law. Click here for instructions on how to self-enroll.
    • Explore our Alumni Attorney Talk series on our blog and in Canvas!

As another academic year comes to a close, we encourage you to reflect back on your own journey this year. Be proud of your accomplishments, learn from your experiences, and apply your wisdom to your future endeavors!  Have a wonderful summer and congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Alumni Attorney Talks | Capt. David Sanders

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.


Captain David Sanders 

Administrative Clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet 

Learn more about military legal careers by clicking here.

 

Captain Sanders is also a JAG Officer in the Illinois Army National Guard where he serves as the Senior Trial Counsel (prosecutor) for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade,  Normal, Illinois. 

 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT David Sanders
    • Law School: Southern Illinois University Law School
    • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science with History Minor
    • David’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Honest | Compassionate | Steadfast

CHECK OUT THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW BELOW!  

Alumni Attorney Talks | Sharone Mitchell, Jr.

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr.

Illinois Cook County Public Defender 

Sharone R. Mitchell Jr. | Crain's Chicago Business | Crain's Chicago Business

Quick facts about Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr.:
    • Law School: DePaul University College of Law
    • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science
    • Mr. Mitchell’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Empathetic | Critical | Diligent

Check out this insightful interview below!  

To learn more about Mr. Mitchell and the Cook County Public Defender’s Office click here.

Alumni Attorney Talks | Justice Rita Garman

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

FEATURING:  Justice Rita B. Garman

Justice Rita B. Garman, Supreme Court of Illinois

Justice Garman is a member of the Illinois Supreme Court representing the Fourth District.  Learn more about Justice Garman and the Supreme Court of Illinois online!

 

Law School:  University of Iowa College of Law

UIUC Undergraduate Major: Economics

Justice Garman’s Three Words to Describe the Legal Profession:

Challenging | Fulfilling | Inspiring 

Be sure to check out this insightful interview!

Alumni Attorney Talks | Lynn Cohn

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series will feature interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Featuring:  Lynn P. Cohn

Clinical Professor and CO-Director of the Center on Negotiation and Mediation at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Law School: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science and Spanish

Professor Cohn’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Many | Service | Never Dull

Be sure to check out this insightful interview!

Alumni Attorney Talks | Daissy Dominguez

FEATURING:  Daissy Dominguez

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series will feature interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.  

Daissy Dominguez

Managing Counsel 

Dominguez Legal Justice Center

          • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science
          • Law School: UIC-John Marshal Law School
          • Daissy’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:

Compassionate | Hardworking | Advocate

 

Be sure to check out this insightful interview!

 

Ms. Dominguez was also featured in the ABA Women Rainmakers series.  Read more of her helpful insights through this online article!

Alumni Attorney Talks | Benjamin Ford

FEATURING:  Benjamin Ford

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which aims to provide prospective law students helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series will feature interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.  

Benjamin Ford 

Assistant University Counsel for the Office of University Counsel

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    • Law School: Southern Illinois University
    • UIUC Undergraduate Major/Minor: Political Science Major with supporting coursework in Psychology
    • Ben’s Words to Describe an Attorney:

Challenging yet Rewarding

Be sure to check out this insightful interview!