Diversity Scholar Spotlight - Q&A with Rachel Barnes
Rachel is a rising second year student at University of Virginia School of Law who “intends to use her legal career to serve as a role model for young women and minorities.” In furtherance of that goal, she serves as a peer advisor, President of the Black Law Student Association, and is a member of the Student Bar Association Diversity Committee. Rachel has also been selected as one of only 30 students for the Community Fellows Program which promotes community and collegiality within the school’s first-year law class. This summer Rachel will be working at Greenberg Traurig as a Summer Associate.
Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Georgia. During her time at UGA, Rachel interned at the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s Office and volunteered abroad in both Costa Rica and Panama. She was also actively involved with Phi Alpha Delta and her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. In her spare time Rachel enjoys kickboxing, singing, and trivia.
PracticePro
Where are you working this summer (summer 2018)?
Rachel
This summer I will be working in New York as a Summer Associate at Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
PracticePro
Tell us a quote or saying by which you live your life or the best life advice you ever received.
Rachel
The quote I live by is, “Be the person you needed when you were younger,” by Dr. Ayesha A. Siddiqi. While many of us are fortunate to have role models and mentors in our lives, so many more people do not. As such, it is my goal to use my career to inspire and uplift others the way my mentors and role models did for me.
PracticePro
What is one thing you wish you had known before law school? Do you have any advice or book recommendations to incoming 1Ls to help them succeed or better handle the rigors of law school?
Rachel
I wish I had known the importance of practice problems when preparing for exams. I have found them to be the best way to test your outlines and your knowledge of the material. I would also encourage students to get sample answers for those problems whenever possible. It helps you see what the professor considers to be relevant information and proper formatting.