Carla Walker is a graduate of the University of Georgia.  She would like to practice in the private sector for a few years before entering the political arena.  She serves as the President of the RWU Law Student Bar Association.

On Rhode Island:
While a little tough to navigate through, since street signs don’t always exist, Rhode Island has been a great place to live.  Moving here from Gainesville, Georgia I was nervous about the weather and the way in which I would be accepted by the Northerns.  Well, the weather varies dramatically one day to the next so I have just grown accustomed to layering my clothing - then I’m ready for a hot or cold day at all times.  Because living close to the water make the winters milder and because the road crews are always ready to bring out their equipment, traveling is fairly safe even when snow and bad weather does come around.  As for the people, I was pleasantly surprised at how welcomed I felt.  I have a few local restaurants and shops in Bristol and Warren that I just love to visit and being a student automatically makes me a part of the law school community so I never feel lonely.

On the benefits of attending the only law school in Rhode Island:
One of the best benefits of being the only law school in Rhode Island is access to some amazing summer jobs.  I have clerked for a Superior Court Judge in Providence and have friends who been able to work anywhere they wanted because the local legal community so strongly supports the law school and its students that exciting opportunities are always available. Furthermore, support for RWU has lead to the school retaining some of the top local judiciary as professors.  For example, I have had both the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the Senior Judge on the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals as professors while here at school.  The possibility to be taught by such distinguished figures in our field is unparalleled and quite an honor for the students (myself especially included).

On her summer job experiences:
My first summer of law school, I clerked for a judge in the Superior Court of Rhode Island part-time and also took one summer class.  I really enjoyed the judge I worked for, had the opportunity to see the judicial process from behind the scenes, and was exposed to many areas of the law every day.  My second summer I worked for a medium-sized firm back in Georgia and absolutely loved it.  The attorneys were all willing to be mentors and the work itself was both stimulating and rewarding.  For the first time, I met with clients, kept up with my time, and put all of this learning to use – it was exhilarating to see how much I had already learned in two short years.

On student organizations: 
Being a member of the Student Bar Association (the student government) all three years of law school has been the most beneficial experience for me.  Through the SBA, I have participated in running both charity and social events for the student body, I have been a voice to the administration on behalf of the student body, and have made some of my strongest friendship with people who value the same things I appreciate.  Each year the SBA hosts an evening dinner cruise, a successful softball tournament, the Barrister’s Ball, and an event within the Bristol/Warren community to raise money or awareness for a local cause.  These activities have made law school more enjoyable, more rewarding, and simply more manageable!

On student life:
Student life is more active than I anticipated.  As it turns out, if you stay consistent with doing your work, there is actually time to have a small life outside of law school (with all your new law school friends of course).  Since coming to law school, I have gone to a couple of concerts and Broadway plays, visited the neighboring states for a weekend, and have had plenty of nights to just meet up with some classmates at local eateries.  With Rhode Island being so close to Boston and New York City, it has been quite easy to go to a sporting event once a semester or shopping in the city every now and again.  I highly recommend whale watching in the summer and sitting by the fire in the winter.  As always, your experience inside and outside of law school is what you make it and as long as you keep your priorities in check there is no reason you can’t have a little fun once in a while.    

Carla Walker

Gainesville, GA