Profile - Emily White '09

Undergraduate School: Washington and Lee  Hometown: St. Gabriel, Louisiana Washington and Lee drew me because there is no other law school where you are expected to be consummately prepared for class, respectful and kind to your peers, embrace timeless tradition, and come to football on the lawn on Fridays. Talk about life balance. Who could ask for more?

Describe your favorite class or classroom experience.

Watching a debate emerge among my classmates. I think this is perhaps how you learn the most about other people-when you watch them have to formulate and articulate their own opinions about difficult or controversial issues. There are too many times this has happened to point to one instance, but I really like that I know what the girl who sits next to me thinks about federalism and knowing that it is the complete opposite of what the guy to my left thinks.

And a close second is whenever professors announce student achievements. I love that our faculty are involved enough to know and care about what's happening in students' personal lives. For instance, this year a professor announced that a classmate's first child had been born. It makes you really feel like you are part of a community.

Who's your favorite professor?

This is perhaps the hardest question I have been asked in law school. I've had so many wonderful professors. I won't name one, although several of my professors have been extremely memorable:

Professor Calhoun made me like contracts (for a girl who never thought she come close to liking anything business related that is quite a feat), really think on my feet, and laugh with his dramatic readings of the writings of Abraham Lincoln or Justice Holmes;

Professor Rendleman always made me think of something new in class that I had not anticipated and is so eager to take the time to make sure everyone in the class understands;

Professor Sundby is perhaps the clearest and yet most entertaining professor I have ever had-even if you hate Law & Order you will love criminal law with Professor Sundby (and even if you don't absolutely love it by the end, you will certainly understand it).

What's your favorite thing about Lexington?

I know all of the people who work the front counter at the post office and they know me. In fact, one time I started coughing (I had a cold) at the post office so hard that my eyes teared up, making it look like I was crying. One of the ladies came over and said: "I'm a mom. I'll understand-you can tell me. Whatever it is, it will be okay." Only in Lexington does everyone, including the people who see you once a week (if that), care about your emotional well-being. You are never alone in Lex.

What student organizations are you involved with?

My first year I served as a reading tutor to local kindergarteners once a week. This was arranged by W&L's Nabors Service League. It was such a great break from law school. I loved seeing people once a week who wanted to talk about why fish don't fly rather than estoppel. And, the first year of law school is difficult because it is hard to perceive progress when you are only graded once a semester. But with my students I saw progress each week. I was reminded that I was part of an effort that made a real difference. There are so many opportunities like that in Lexington, so many chances to get involved.

How did W&L prepare you for the work-related experiences you've had during your time in law school?

Because our legal writing program is so strong, I knew what a response to a motion looks like and what it does. As a result when I worked for the U.S. Attorney's office, the draft I prepared of a response to a motion to suppress was the draft filed. Not many first years can say that.