Kirstin Henry
1L; Admissions Ambassador
Hometown:
Massena, New York
Professional Interests:
Civil Rights; Criminal Law; Education Law; Employment and Labor Law; Environmental Law; Public Interest; Juvenile Advocacy
Student Organizations and Extracurricular Activities:
Law Students for Educational Equity (1L Representative), First Generation Professionals, Public Interest Law Fund
Housing:
On Campus
Pro Bono Projects:
Disability Rights California, Air Travel Memo
Meet Kirstin:
I grew up in a rural New York town, studied American Studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts, and taught Special Education for a year in Los Angeles. After leaving the classroom, I spent two years working in a law firm by day and reflecting on how to secure the future I wanted by night. At this time, I had three revelations: I wanted a legal degree, I wanted to use that legal degree to empower others and help them enforce their rights, and I wanted to surround myself with people who see possibilities more often than they see problems.
From the very moment I learned about UCI Law, I knew I had to study here. Every interaction I had with a member of the community prior to committing filled me with positivity. Each pamphlet I read and talk that I attended highlighted the school’s commitment to public interest, from the hundreds of Pro Bono opportunities to the various advocacy clubs on campus, including Law Students for Educational Equity. I felt that at UCI Law, I would be able to confront the difficult legal issues this world faces and develop tools to solve those issues, while remembering the fact that the sun is still shining and we need to enjoy that, too. I am happy to say that this community has lived up to my hopes.
Admittedly, the first week of orientation felt like an onslaught, and the pressure only increased as classes began. But, through navigating cold calls in class, applying to board positions of student organizations, and studying for (and taking!) a 3-hour Civil Procedure exam worth 100% of my grade, I became a much more confident, articulate, and aware person. I can’t wait to see what the next two years have in store.