Ella is a rising 3L at the University of Virginia School of Law, where she has served as the assistant managing editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law and the vice president of Virginia Law Women. She also participated in the Virginia Innocence Project and various other pro bono endeavors. Previously, Ella was a judicial intern for the Hon. Susan Rodriguez in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Before law school, she interned for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute and the U.S. House of Representatives. Ella holds a dual B.A. in Public Policy Leadership and a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Mississippi.

What made you decide to pursue law?

In college, I studied public policy and communications because I liked the idea of integrating two skill sets: becoming an expert in public policy while learning how to communicate my knowledge to many people in a concise manner. That background came in handy during COVID, when I served as the chief of staff and principal of academic affairs for my school’s Associated Student Body. I engaged in significant advocacy throughout the pandemic, particularly as we navigated the adoption of pass/fail grading policies. It made me realize how much I enjoyed advocating on behalf of a group and doing all I can for my “clients.” That experience solidified my interest in litigation.

What were your first impressions of the firm?

SHJ immediately stood out to me during UVA’s virtual recruiting program. It was one of very few conversations I had that week where I felt like I was talking to someone in person, not over Zoom. The interaction was very natural, and I could tell the interviewer cared about getting to know me personally. After just 20 minutes, I knew this firm was the right choice, and that impression was further confirmed throughout the rest of the process. Later, I talked to one of my classmates who had summered with them last year, and he had nothing but praise to offer.

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

I think this firm will be a great place to learn and grow while being surrounded by world-class litigators. I’m excited to see the practical side of what I’ve been learning about in law school, which is largely theoretical. I can’t wait to watch these lawyers in action and learn from their experience.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I’ve known for a while that I want to focus on trial work. I aim to feel confident in my skills as a trial lawyer and be able to represent my clients to the best of my ability. I also want to be a good mentor for younger lawyers, which is a skill I think SHJ can help me develop. The firm clearly attracts people who are invested in training the next generation of litigators.