Andrew Hallak
2L; Admissions Ambassador Executive Board - Selection, Training & Curriculum Committee Chair
Hometown:
Lancaster, CA
Professional Interests:
Environmental Law; Land Use & Real Estate Law
Student Organizations:
Environmental Law Society; First Generation Professionals Program; Middle Eastern & South Asian Law Student Association
Extracurricular:
Law Review
UCI Law Clinic:
International Justice Clinic
Housing:
UCI Graduate Housing (Ask me about living on campus!)
Meet Andrew:
UCI has been my home for the last 10 years—first as an undergraduate student and now as a concurrent J.D. and Ph.D. student in the School of Law and the Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy program. As a first-generation, Palestinian-American college student, I am a product of UCI's commitment to uplifting students from marginalized backgrounds. I chose UCI Law because of its strong emphasis on experiential education. The Pro Bono Program, Lawyering Skills series, and Clinics give you unmatched opportunities to foster skills needed to be “practice ready”. For example, within my first month of law school, I was already interacting with clients through the Clean Slate Pro Bono project. My experience interviewing clients and drafting court declarations was not only impactful in clearing the records of the clients we served, but it also gave me first-hand experience of interacting with clients. I was able to draw from this experience during my interviews for summer internships. Further, the Lawyering Skills course series provides you with an opportunity to research novel legal issues and effectively communicate them in interoffice memos, court briefs, emails, and oral advocacy—skills that are vital for junior attorneys.
Making the decision to attend law school can be difficult. Finances, campus culture, and subject matter expertise were some of my principal concerns. While law school is generally expensive, UCI Law makes things a little easier through programs like guaranteed housing, a second-hand textbook market, and professional clothing drives. These forms of institutional support make thriving at law school more attainable. The guaranteed housing affords me the ability to live within walking distance of my classes and only a 4-mile drive to the beach! Further, the campus community is incredibly supportive. From its collaborative and interdisciplinary environment to its career development office and student-run affinity groups, you'll feel at home in no time. I have been able to explore my interests in environmental law and water resource governance through classes, faculty led research, and in my capacity as the incoming vice president of the Environmental Law Society. Not only am I able to gain the substantive skills to make me a successful lawyer, I am also able to explore my legal interests while forming a life-long community of peers and colleagues. Ultimately, I hope that by being transparent about my experiences at UCI, prospective students can make the most informed decision related to their law school admissions.