Deidre Freitas
Boston, Massachusetts
3L
Deidre Freitas first learned of St. John’s School of Law from a
colleague who was an alumna of the school, “My co-worker, Natasha
Aljalian, was one of the smartest women I had ever met – so when
she recommended St. John’s I took her advice,” says Deidre Freitas,
3L in the School of Law.
Always interested in law and politics, Deidre had already
completed several internship programs with the United States
government during her four years as an undergraduate at George
Washington University in Washington, DC.
“Most formative was my internship at the U.S. House of
Representatives Ways and Means Committee. There, I got to sit in on
meetings with foreign heads of state, visit the White House to see
former President George W. Bush in the Rose Garden and meet high
profile politicians including John Kerry and Bob Dole.”
Having graduated with her bachelor’s degree in International
Affairs, Deidre then obtained a position assisting partners and
associates as a paralegal in a Boston law firm. It wasn’t long
before Deidre’s colleague at the firm suggested St. John’s School
of Law. With that suggestion Deidre decided it was time to pursue a
law degree of her own.
“After college I began working as a paralegal for Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. I was constantly researching,
writing and attending court hearings. Working as a paralegal for
two years only increased my desire to become a lawyer.”
Deidre is now completing her last semester at the School of Law
and preparing to be a lawyer. Deidre feels the years she spent as
an executive board member of the law school’s Moot Court Honor
Society, member of the N.Y. Litigator Law Journal and Student
Ambassador for the law school admissions office, further enhanced
her understanding of the legal field and gave her the practical
skills necessary for legal practice after graduation.
“My involvement in all of these activities definitely helped
hone my legal skills. From brief writing to oral advocacy, I have
learned a lot and am extremely confident in my abilities as a
lawyer.”
Once she graduates from law school, Deidre will return to Boston
to work at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, as a first
year associate. While focusing on securities litigation, she plans
to contribute to the firm’s pro bono efforts- concentrating in
either immigration matters or working with a child advocacy
group.
“From supportive law professors to participating in moot court
competitions – being a law student has been an altogether wonderful
experience. I am now ready to practice law.”
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