Professor Andrea Curcio (center) hugs two of her students at the annual December Graduation Luncheon.
“These faculty members have had a significant impact on your lives and law school career,” said Steven J. Kaminshine, dean and professor of law. “As faculty members we there are a lot of things we like about this job, but having an impact on our students’ lives is way above number 1.”
Lucy Zhang (J.D./M.Tax ’16) worked in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic for five semesters. Zhang will start a job in January, working for the Ernst &Young’s Diversified Staff Tax Group. “Mr. [Bill] Timm was an amazing adviser and without his help, I probably would not be here,” said Lucy Zhang. While working at the clinic, she managed her own cases and clients.
“Lucy has been a GRA, she’s managed 20 or 30 cases at a time, she’s able to prioritize and juggle and she’s done a great job and has a good rapport with clients,” said William “Bill” Timm, associate director of the tax clinic.
Zhang’s favorite thing about Georgia State Law is the recognition and the experience that it provides the students. “Everyone in the law field understands and values Georgia State for our hands-on practice, the fact that we’re practice-ready,” Zhang said.
Olivia Clark (J.D. ’16) started off in Georgia State Law’s full-time program but switched to the part-time one after accepting a job with Cox Communications as a privacy analyst last August. Clark said that she appreciates the fact that Georgia State Law exposed her to a different world.
“I had an opportunity to be in law school with people who are non-traditional students, coming from different walks of life. And being in Atlanta, the opportunity that I got led me to the career that I am in today, I don’t think I would’ve gotten this at another school,” Clark said.
Associate Dean Kelly Timmons reminded students it was the diversity of their life experiences that enriched the college and its classes.
Rayner Bettendorf (J.D. ’16), a part-time student, celebrated with adjunct professor Jeffrey Diamond, who taught Insurance Law. “Mr. Diamond set us up for success and I really appreciate it. He did a good job of keeping us focused on the goal.”
Brayton May (J.D.’16) credited adjunct professor Caren Cloud, legal director for the Truancy Intervention Project Georgia in Fulton County with inspiring her to go into family law with an eye toward juvenile law.
“Her passion for kids inspired me and made me realize I could connect my passion for the law with my passion for children,” said May, who worked full-time for her first two years before switching to the full-time program.
Yelianne Montanez (J.D. ’16) selected alumna and adjunct professor Christine Koehler (J.D. ’95) as her guest. “She was curious about us and offered advice. She really took an interest in our class and our professional lives.”
Montanzes (J.D. ’16) hopes to go into environmental law in the public interest arena. Koehler, who taught an advocacy section, enjoyed the small class and how it enables her to get to know her students. “I really enjoy teaching students who haven’t picked up any bad habits. I enjoy seeing them standing up and advocating.”