Fall semester is in full swing. Classes have begun, and new Harvard Law School students are busy diving into Contracts and Torts, getting involved in student organizations, and thinking about which student practice organizations and clinics they may want to join.
But who are these new classmates, and why are they at HLS? It turns out they are a diverse group interested in everything from video games, to skydiving, to classical ballet. They care about social justice, and privacy law, and immigration issues. You might find one student at a screening of a vintage Alfred Hitchcock film, while another is hoping to ride his 200th roller coaster before he graduates. Many say they are excited to collaborate with peers from across the globe, learn from world-class professors, and explore different areas of the law. Read on to meet a few of the members of the incoming J.D. Class of 2024 and LL.M. Class of 2022.
Mario Mas Palacios LL.M. ’22
“I have been working as a lawyer for three years, but I have always been interested in gaining experience in the U.S. I’m am most excited about the people I get to meet here and the possibility of having courses at one of the best law schools in the world.”
Julian Sarabia ’24
Passions: Espresso, theme parks (has ridden more than 170 roller coasters!)
“I’m excited to be able to learn on a deeper level than my undergraduate education. I’m excited to be learning about something that interests me, and to learn the intricacies of this profession, and to better understand how I can improve the things I think need to be improved.”
Caroline Hatley ’24
Passions: Baking, running, tennis, helping people
“I’m at Harvard Law School because, for the past few years, I have been excited about making a difference as a lawyer and as a legal scholar. HLS not only has the ability to teach me how to do those things, but will give me a community of mentors and other students who are doing interesting things in their fields.”
Katelyn Turner ’24
Passions: Video games, arts, drawing
“I applied to law school because I’m interested in becoming a public interest attorney, and Harvard Law is known for its very large public interest community. My research interests are at the intersection of gender, race, and health … For the year ahead, I’m excited about the fact that I’m around people after having been locked away for the past year and a half due to the pandemic. It’s been an amazing experience to come here and engage with people face to face. Everyone has been lovely and supportive.”
Thomas Nielsen ’24
Passions: Composing music (he’s a classical pianist)
“I’m excited to get to know the people around me, and meet people who are coming at this from a completely different angle, as well as those with whom I have things in common. We’re all excited to be back in person.”
Stacey Chuvaieva LL.M. ’22
“When I was a kid, I had a dream of becoming a politician – that’s why I went to law school in Ukraine and started a legal career. Previously, I was working as a video game lawyer … At HLS, I am planning to write a 50-page research paper … if I enjoy the work, I might pursue an academic career.”
Masooma Haider ’24
Passions: Baking, volunteering, inspiring the next generation
“I’m here for plenty of different reasons. But part of it is to represent my community – the Muslim American community – and fight for the rights of immigrants and refugees like me. That’s what put me on this path.”
Quinn Evangelakos ’24
Passions: Being outside, hiking, swimming
“I want to be a public defender. I want to learn from the community of public interest lawyers here at HLS and grow in that passion. I’m really excited to meet everyone who has come with different experiences and outlooks. I’m excited to explore different parts of the law and others’ interests as well.”
Alice Hu ’24
Passions: Existential philosophy, electronic music, skydiving, volunteering
“I am interested in the question of how to ensure dignity for more individuals in our society. I’m most excited to learn from my peers, from people who want to build this intentional community together, and to explore what gives our lives meaning.”
Eun Jin Kim ’24
Passions: Running, eating, watching medical TV shows
“I’m super excited to meet people here and get the skills and experiences I need to be a lawyer one day. … I’m looking forward to meeting the cool people here and hearing about their experiences, and growing and learning with them.”
Heather Zhou ’24
Passions: Reading novels, watching films (particularly Hitchcock)
“Harvard has been my dream law school since junior year of college. I have a friend who went to Harvard Law, and she talked a lot about what her experience here was like. I was inspired and humbled. I’m really glad that I’m finally here! ”
Suleyman Wellings-Longmore LL.M. ’22
“Before Harvard, I was working as a lawyer in London and Paris, working in international arbitration, and whilst I found the work very enriching and satisfying, I don’t think it spoke to interest in social justice and trying to make a positive change. I am hoping to pivot into human rights law.”
Hansenard Piou ’24
Passions: Drawing, creating writing
Josh Alpert ’24
Passions: Competitive debate, RC model airplanes, chess, video games, TV, movies, music
“HLS is one of the most amazing places to find a wide variety of professors, faculty, and people who are extremely interested in the law. … My long-term goal is to help people however I can. I am interested in civil rights work, clerkships. It might seem cliché to say this, but I want to see justice, and the law is a tool to achieve that.”
Jeffah Momanyi LL.M. ’22
“Before coming to HLS, I was working as a lawyer for the Senate of Kenya. I plan to pursue the New York Bar Exam; if I have the opportunity, I will practice law in New York or go back to my country to practice. Here, I’m excited to meet new friends and to take a diversity of courses. I’m excited to learn from the different experiences and perspectives of various classmates from across the world. That’s what’s exciting.”
Nikol Tang ’24
Passions: Classical ballet
“I want to be a litigator. I think Harvard has a really big and diverse student body, and it will allow me to explore many of my interests. I am excited to get to know the professors who had really interesting careers before their teaching careers, who had made an impact in their careers in the government and private sector and beyond. I’m super excited about the clinical programs, and I want to get involved in the immigration and domestic violence clinics.”
Sydney Veatch ’24
Passions: Stand-up paddle boarding, board games, iced coffee
“I came to HLS because I am really passionate about data privacy, and the Berkman Klein Center is the best in the United States for that. I’m excited about getting to know my fellow 1Ls in person and to learn from each other and from the different lived experiences we all have.”
Stephanie Walsh ’24
Passions: Playing viola, music, board game nerd
“I’m excited to meet all the amazing faculty and professors here. People who I have read about – who are cited in places – and I actually get to be taught by them and interact with them. That’s exciting!”
Daniela Higueras Elias LL.M. ’22
“I’m excited about the community, being physically here on campus. Our class is from all around the world, and I am looking forward to getting to know them and to learning from them, as well as the amazing faculty.”
Bshayer Binyamin LL.M. ’22
“I am here for a few reasons: to enhance my knowledge in my field of interest, to spot gaps and areas of developments within the legal jurisdiction of my countries, and to speak up, to engage in enriching conversations, and to represent my country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the best way possible. I am excited about every bit of the experience here –to make friends, to meet professors, to meet policy makers, to conduct research, and to interact with my classmates.”
James Barrett LL.M. ’22
“Where else but Harvard Law School?”