Law Student, University of Denver

Why did you decide to come to Leeds?Leah Schwartz
I decided to come to Leeds because when I first toured the School, I was able to immediately see how invested the faculty and staff were in their students’ success, the well-rounded and cutting-edge business curriculum the School provided, and the sense of community and belonging.

What is one thing you learned at Leeds that you will never forget?
The importance of building relationships with your peers and faculty/staff — each person you meet in the business school has the potential to be your future teammate, coworker, mentor, advocate, and/or friend. The relationships that I have formed during my time at Leeds were instrumental to my wellbeing and success both while I was at CU and since graduating.

Tell us about a particular professor or mentor that influenced you while you were at Leeds.
Liz Stapp is a professor and mentor whose personal background and experience, in addition to the course she taught on business law and ethics, was the main reason I looked into pursuing a legal education after graduation. Without her guidance, I would never have realized how powerful a background in both the legal and business worlds could be.

Where has life taken you since you graduated Leeds?
Since graduation, I have begun my first year of law school at the University of Denver - Sturm College of Law, where I hope to combine my legal and business interests in commercial, international, or space law.

What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
Be the one who takes initiative. When you're someone who takes the initiative, it truly makes a positive impact on your professional and personal lives. It's an attribute that many people highly value and appreciate, yet it's one that can be easily overlooked in terms of important life skills.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
Keep an open mind to areas you would like to study and recognize how much of a positive impact you can have on people's lives by having a law degree.

What do you miss most about Boulder?
I miss walking across the field to Koelbel for class every day and seeing the Flatirons in the background.

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September 2021