Serena Cheng

I am from Seattle, Washington, and Taipei, Taiwan. After graduation, I will be joining ArentFox Schiff at the firm’s Chicago office. During my time in law school, I served as the President of the Criminal Law Society and the Vice President of the Myra Bradwell Women’s Law Society.

“The Leadership Project gives students the unique opportunity to learn from leaders across an array of industries through lectures, book talks, and classes. I developed invaluable leadership skills that I look forward to applying as I embark on my legal career.”

Ekrem Genc

I was born in Istanbul and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I hope to pursue an appellate clerkship upon graduation. I was a member of the Moot Court Board and I served the College of Law community on the executive boards of the Muslim Law Students Association, the Student Bar Association, and the Education Law and Policy Society. I also had the pleasure of being a mentor at the Yankee Ridge Elementary School in Urbana for three years.

“The Leadership Project brought diverse leaders across different legal landscapes to share their wisdom in a rich tapestry of leadership styles. One of the Project’s greatest accomplishments this year was in inspiring us to serve our own communities with purpose and humility, yet in our own, unique ways.”

Andrew Gray

I am from Washington, Illinois. This summer, I will be a Summer Associate at Morgan & Morgan in Phoenix, Arizona. I am the founding President and Artistic Director of the Guild of Unpaid Illinois Lawyer Thespians (GUILTY), the College of Law’s premiere arts organization. I also serve as Articles Editor for the Elder Law Journal and as leadership for the Criminal Law Society and the Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Society.

“In law school, we are taught how to spot issues, consider both sides, and analyze complexities—we are not often taught how to solve problems, how to choose a path forward, or how to lead effectively. With the world in desperate need of educated and professional leaders, the Leadership Project provides law students the ability to become just that.”

Luke Hemmerla

I am from Sainte Geneieve, Missouri. This upcoming summer I will be a summer associate at Husch Blackwell in St. Louis. I have served in numerous leadership assignments throughout the Missouri National Guard over the past 8 years, where my next assignment will be as a company commander for a Military Police Unit.

“Leadership is a skill that can never be mastered, and everyone does it their own way. The Leadership Project is an amazing opportunity to learn from successful leaders, and develop tools to add to one’s own leadership style.”

Amanda Holme

I am originally from Winnetka, Illinois. Prior to attending the College of Law, I received my bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. While in law school, I served as an Articles Editor on the Elder Law Journal and was a member of the Moot Court Team. I look forward to joining Jenner & Block in Chicago after graduation.

“I feel so fortunate to have participated in the Leadership Project. From hearing insight from business leaders to judges to a former state governor, I feel inspired to use my law degree as a leader, and thanks to the Leadership Project, I have the tools to do so.”

Akshay Krishnamani

I am from right here in Champaign, Illinois. I spent time living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Penang, Malaysia, before moving here. Before law school, I worked for five years in fashion merchandising in New York City. After graduation, I will be joining Fox Rothschild in their Chicago office. In law school, I have been a founding member of the South Asian Law Students Association, treasurer for OUTLaw, and a member of the College of Law Trial Team. I am also a mentor for middle schoolers in the Champaign School District.

“The Leadership Project has been a wonderful opportunity to reflect on my goals as a future legal professional. The programming has allowed me to learn from the experiences of others and develop skills that will facilitate my growth as a leader. I look forward to applying the learnings in the future!”

Naida Langdon

I am from Chicago, Illinois. I will be joining John Deere in their Attorney Development Program after graduation. I previously served as the Vice President of the Black Law Student Association at the College of Law.

“The Leadership Project encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and has been a great opportunity for me to reflect about my previous leadership roles and has prepared me for the ones I will take on in the future.”

Bobby Mannis

I am a rising 3L at the Illinois College of Law. I am the Inaugural Senator Scott Bennett Memorial Scholarship for Government Service recipient and most recently served as the President for Illinois’ American Constitution Society chapter. Born in Chicago, I grew up in the suburbs and have called Illinois home for all but four years as an undergraduate in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am currently a summer associate in Chicago’s Willkie Farr & Gallagher office.

“The Leadership Project is an incredible effort by the College of Law to ensure that law students are trained as leaders. The classes prepared me for real-life challenges, the events connected me with leaders I look up to, and the book talks allowed me to think hard about the kind of leader I want to be. This program deals head-on with a deficit many law schools face by connecting students with opportunities that will change our careers and lives.”

Maryam Muhammad

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, and will be working as a civil litigation defense attorney following graduation. During my time in law school I served as BLSA President in 2022-23.

“The Leadership Project was an amazing opportunity for me to learn how to be an even more effective leader. One of the most inspirational experiences in the program was during a talk given by Michael Strautmanis, who served in Barack Obama’s administration during his presidency. During his talk, Mr. Strautmanis stressed the importance of authenticity in leaders. Being authentic will not only create an environment for others to trust you but it also inspires them to be their most authentic selves as well.”

Miranda Nutt

I am from Grapevine, Texas. This fall, I will be joining Wilson Elser in the firm’s Chicago office. I am the former president of Emory University’s Relay for Life chapter and served as a mentor and debate coach for a local high school. While at the College of Law, I served as a commissioner and team captain for the campus’s intramural softball league.

“The Leadership Project has been a fantastic opportunity to gain skills essential to workplace success. Students have the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of leaders and understand the importance of identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and values. I look forward to utilizing the skills I have learned in my career and in service to my local community.”

Emma Overton

I am from Kankakee, Illinois. While in law school, I served as the President of the Myra Bradwell Women’s Law Society and as the President of the Energy and Environmental Law Society. After graduation, I will pursue a litigation-focused career in Chicago.

“The Leadership Project was an incredibly valuable opportunity to engage with top leaders while also improving my leadership skills to serve others. I look forward to implementing these skills throughout my career.”

Audrey Pauls

I  am from Springfield, Missouri. While in law school, I served as President of the Space Law Society, Wellness Officer for the Student Bar Association, Lectures Chair for the Women’s Law Society, and a member of the Anderson Center client counseling team. After graduation and upon successful completion of the bar exam, I will be working back in my hometown of Springfield at Stubblefield Law in civil litigation.

“The Leadership Project has been one of my favorite experiences in law school! This program is a wonderful reminder that as future lawyers, we will be looked to as leaders within our communities and we will be in a unique position to serve our communities. The Leadership Project is a great way to explore the kind of leader that you want to be and develop key leadership skills while in law school so that upon graduation, when leadership opportunities arise, you’re ready to meet them.”

Mariana Renke

I am from Troy, Michigan, and have been extensively involved during my time at Illinois Law. I competed on trial team all semesters of eligibility, served as Administrative Editor for the Journal of Law, Technology & Policy, acted as an Admissions Ambassador, worked as a Teaching Assistant, and held multiple leadership positions across 3 different organizations. After law school, I will start as a litigation associate at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Chicago.

“The Leadership Project was one of the only times in law school that really focused on reflection. Participating in this program helped me discover my own strengths and weaknesses, making me a better leader and also a better lawyer. I am so grateful for the ability to look inward and grow as a person!”

Taylor Rioux

I am a second-career law student from Ivoryton, Connecticut. While in law school, I served as the president of the College of Law Chapter of the American Constitution Society and was an associate editor of the Elder Law Journal. After graduation, I will work as a commercial litigation associate at the Chicago office of Quarles & Brady LLP.

“It’s remarkable how much overlap exists between the qualities that make a ‘great lawyer’ and a ‘great leader.’ In my opinion, the Leadership Project does an excellent job of helping students tap into those qualities, preparing them better to represent the law school in their future endeavors and deliver positive impressions as they join the ranks of the legal community.”

Dalai Saruul-Erdene

I am originally from Mongolia but grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and Arlington, Virginia. While at the College of Law, I served as President of the Immigration Law Society and I also captained the Law Lions soccer team.

“The Leadership Project has been a wonderful opportunity to develop important soft skills that are just as necessary to succeed professionally but aren’t as emphasized through coursework. Through the Leadership Project I’ve gained valuable insights into effective communication and relationships in general.”

Joseph Self

I am originally from Dayton, Ohio. After graduation, I will be working at Jackson Lewis where I will be focusing on labor and employment law. Throughout law school, I have acted as a leader and mentor for the Moot Court Board and the Education Law and Policy Society.

“The Leadership Project provides a wonderful foundation for building leadership skills while in law school. As attorneys, many people will look to us to be leaders in our community, firm, or company. Leadership skills are essential to practice of law and the University of Illinois College of Law is lucky to have the Leadership Project to teach students these skills.”

Se Hwa Shim

I am originally from South Korea and have lived mainly in southern California since. While in law school, I served as a Teaching Assistant for undergraduate law classes. After graduation, I will be joining Ascher & Denton PLLC in Olympia, Washington, as a family law attorney.

“The Leadership Project has provided an in-depth analysis of different kinds of leadership styles employed by different leaders and, in doing so, we’ve parsed through the common elements of these varying leadership styles to understand what made these leaders successful. This understanding has allowed me to develop skills that I have no doubt will play an important role in my career going forward.”

Ashleigh Yarnik

I am from Springfield, Illinois. Following graduation, I will be working at Heyl Royster in the firm’s Chicago office. While in law school, I served as the President of the Real Estate Law Society, Vice President of the Public Interest Law Foundation, and as an Admissions Ambassador for prospective students.

“The Leadership Project empowers students to use their innate strengths to make a difference in their community and the legal profession at large. The discussions, lectures, and courses equipped me with practical tools to develop my leadership style and put my growth mindset to practice. I look forward to incorporating these skills throughout my future career.”