Future Fordham Lawyers

Making Their Mark

In October 2023, I had the opportunity to publish an op-ed in the New York Law Journal on broadening the hiring criteria for legal jobs, which was an unexpected achievement that would not have been possible without the encouragement of my Professional Ethics professor, Bruce Green, who recognized the potential in what started out as a regular class assignment. There is no denying that law school is hard, and at a certain point, you must come to expect that it will stay that way. My favorite moments have been those I did not expect. The best experiences here and anywhere are the ones you never see coming.

Outside of the classroom, I have the great honor of serving as a representative on the Student Bar Association, most recently as an appointee to the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee. In this role I work closely with the deans and faculty on a variety of projects, allowing me to witness their genuine enthusiasm for enhancing the student experience. Most of all, I appreciate the opportunity to connect and confer with my incredible classmates as I strive to amplify their voices in the decision-making process.

I want to work on the legal problems that the world will face in the near future, especially issues related to emerging technologies such as intellectual property and information technology. I chose Fordham because it’s a pioneering and innovative institution in many different fields of law. I have been working as a research assistant since my first month at the Law School. I focus on tech and IP-based research, guided by Professor Hugh Hansen, and am involved in coordinating the Emily C. & John E. Hansen Intellectual Property Institute’s 30th Annual Intellectual Property Law & Policy Conference. I also have an interest in fashion law and am in close contact with clubs and institutes in that field.

In the future, I hope to work in the areas of artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies. By using my community-building and leadership qualities, I want to collaborate with lawyers from different parts of the world who are working in the fields of fashion, technology, and art, to work together to make a difference in shaping the future of the law.

I’m from Tbilisi, Georgia, and I am studying in Fordham Law’s LL.M. program in International Law and Justice. I chose Fordham Law because it offers a unique environment where students can collaborate closely with faculty, express their ideas, and engage in valuable exchanges.

The people at the Law School are genuinely supportive and present for their students, especially those who aspire to push the boundaries and explore innovative ideas outside the box. Whether it’s through collaborative projects, engaging discussions, or shared academic journeys, the Fordham Law community has made my time here exceptionally memorable. Thanks to this sense of support, I was inspired to help establish the Fordham International Law Association this past fall, with the support of the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice.

After graduation, I plan to continue my law practice in international law and human rights and to remain actively involved in advocacy efforts that address the current challenges facing the international legal order. Looking further into the future, my long-term aspiration is to transition into academia where I can teach and mentor the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners. By sharing my experiences and knowledge, I hope to inspire and educate future lawyers about the importance of international law in our interconnected world.

I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2023 as a field artillery officer and first lieutenant. It wasn’t too long ago that I was applying to law school, which I knew nothing about and was highly stressed out over. So, I just reached out to veterans on LinkedIn, had coffee chats with them, and received so much support in the application process from them, whether it was reading over my personal statement or giving me advice.

Now, I’m in a position where I can give advice to veterans who are looking to make the transition. Each time I have coffee chats with veterans who are applying, I say, “Listen, if you go to law school, it’s your turn to pass it on to the next veteran who’s in the same spot you are now, today.” I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants who helped pave the way for me to go to law school. I’m so grateful to them and feel it’s my turn to pay it forward.

I want to spread, particularly to veterans, that Fordham Law is an amazing place for us. Fordham gives you the keys to the legal capital of the world, and the legal capital of the world happens to embrace veterans in their hiring process. The world is your oyster.