Leadership Scholars

Lindsey Aden

I am from Royal, Illinois. This fall, I will begin clerking for Justice Brian Hagedorn of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Madison, Wisconsin. During law school, I served as President of Phi Alpha Delta Magruder Chapter for two years, Teaching Assistant for 1L Legal Writing courses, Vice President of the Federalist Society, Articles Editor for the University of Illinois Law Review, and Lexis Associate for Lexis Nexis. I also competed in the Phi Alpha Delta Law School Mock Trial Competition in Washington, D.C. as a 1L, and I was awarded Best Petitioner Brief for the Anderson Center Intraschool Moot Court Competition in the fall of 2024.

“The Leadership Project provided me with incredible opportunities to learn from great leaders and improve my leadership skills through interesting book talks, courses, lectures, and more. I would highly recommend the Project for any students who want to expand upon their leadership abilities and prepare themselves for their future careers in the legal field.”

Arman Ahmed

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California. During my time at the University of Illinois College of Law, I’ve served as the President of The Federalist Society, Managing Editor of the Illinois Journal of Law, Technology, and Policy, and a Student Attorney for the First Amendment Law Clinic.

“The Leadership Project has been fundamental in pioneering new topics for the law school student body as a whole to be more well-rounded. I appreciated that public service is simultaneously shared between the legal profession and leadership. I look forward to keeping that in mind throughout practice.”

Shakana Arulthasan

I am originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. During my time at the University of Illinois College of Law, I have served as the President of the South Asian Law Students Association and the Health and Elder Law Society. I have also worked as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Health Law. After graduation, I will be working at Gutnicki LLP in Skokie, Illinois.

“The Leadership Project helped me better understand my own leadership style and the responsibility that comes with it. It emphasized the importance of leading with purpose, staying adaptable, and supporting others, lessons I will carry with me throughout my legal career.”

Christophe Godbarge

I was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Normandy, France. During law school, I spent three semesters in the Veterans Legal Clinic. I was also a lead volunteer with the Gies Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

“The Leadership Project gave me room to reflect on effective leadership traits and emphasized the need for integrity, diligence, and thoughtful, decisive decision making.”

Shaza Hussein

My name is Shaza Hussein and I’m from Northwest Indiana. I will be relocating to Michigan after graduation to work as an associate attorney in commercial transactions. During law school, I served as the Vice President of the Muslim Law Students Association, where I worked to support and build community among students while fostering inclusive leadership.

“Not many people in this space look like me, which made it especially important for me to be part of the Leadership Project. I wanted to better understand how to lead so that others can see someone who looks like them stepping into leadership and know that they can do the same.”

Nurie Langlois

I am from Athens, Georgia. After law school I will be commissioning as an officer with the Air Force and become a Judge Advocate General (JAG)—a military lawyer. During law school, I was the SBA Section A Representative as a 1L and was the PILF Fundraising Chair as a 2L. During the spring semester and summer, I worked for Veterans Legal Clinic. Additionally, during 1L I was accepted into the Graduate Law Program and am currently participating in Air Force ROTC and law school at the same time. Last semester I was the Operations Officer and this semester I am the Uniform Officer for our ROTC detachment.

“The Leadership Project challenges the idea that lawyers are purely risk-averse by introducing a leadership mindset—one that is often more risk-tolerant. Having the experience to learn about different perspectives and different careers and having hands-on experience in the classroom will help me grow as both a leader and a lawyer beyond the law school.”

Parker Mee

I am from Springfield, Missouri. I will be joining BatesCarey LLP as an associate in their Chicago office following graduation. During my time as a law student, I have served as the Bar Association Liaison and 3L Representative in the Student Bar Association, as well as a student member of the Curriculum Committee and a Teaching Assistant.

“The Leadership Project allows law students to engage in necessary conversations about the essential characteristics of effective leadership and the pitfalls that can create bad leaders. The Project has helped me develop the skills needed to grow into being a leader as my legal career begins. As part of the programs that make up the the Leadership Project students are required to take on the complicated situations and dynamics that leaders of all stripes have to face on a daily basis. In doing so, it asks law students to not only engage with leadership as an abstract concept, but as a practical, everyday reality.”

Rachel Roth

I am from Vernon Hills, Illinois. During law school, I served as an Admissions Ambassador, competed on the Dispute Resolution Board’s Negotiations Team, and held positions as Vice President of Events for the Corporate and Business Law Association and Publicity Editor of the Illinois Law Review. After graduation, I will be joining Kirkland & Ellis in their Chicago office as a corporate associate.

“The Leadership Project helped me realize that leadership isn’t about having the right answers, but about asking better questions, listening to understand, and being thoughtful in how I show up for others. It changed how I think about leadership, not as a title or role, but as something shaped by how I engage with the people around me every day. That perspective will influence how I approach client relationships, teamwork, and decision making in my career, and ultimately, the kind of lawyer I aspire to be.”