Anticipated Graduation Year: May 2015.
Hometown: Born in Minsk, Belarus. Grew up and went to undergrad in Seattle, WA.
Undergraduate & Previous Work Experience:
I worked at Pizza Hut while obtaining my BA in Philosophy. Currently externing at the Office of the Portland City Attorney.
What is your particular area of interest pertaining to law?
Intellectual Property generally and Copyright in particular. I like the squishy, gray area of Fair Use, and I greatly enjoy thinking on ways in which the Copyright Act could be “improved.”
Are you involved with any extracurricular activities?
“IP in the Trees” workshops are always engaging, and I plan to attend more OVLA events this year. A good rule of thumb is that any open event on campus is worth going to.
What do you like to do for fun?
Playing the guitar, playing chess, writing fiction, cycling, pub trivia, MTG, and (of course) video games.
What are your favorite places in Portland?
Portofino, Down to Earth café, Hair of the Dog, and Tea Chai Té if you’re in the mood for some dining and tasting. I love admiring the rose gardens, greeting the dawn after prerelease events at Guardian Games, and gawking at the paintings in the Le Meitour Gallery. Check out Gabriel Park or Tryon Creek if you’re feeling woodsy. And Powell’s. Clearly.
Why did you pick Lewis & Clark Law School?
I wanted to see more of the Northwest—Portland has a flavor all its own. The reputation of the Law School drew me in and the campus convinced me to stay.
What do you like most about Lewis & Clark?
The faculty and staff are fantastic, and all the students are friendly and helpful. No one is out for blood. Cooperation and support are pretty strong themes from all fronts.
What was your reason for electing Intellectual Property Law as a focus?
Blame my inner Philosophy major. It’s hard enough conceptualizing property, ideas, and expressions in and of themselves, and here we live in a society that has legally drawn the borders around what and how intangible things can be “owned.” It’s clearly not perfect, but there is a strong (yet somehow bizarre) rationale for it. The ground is shaky—there is a lot of room for argument everywhere you look, just how I like it. Also I love art and the internet. They need lawyers just like everything else.
What has been your favorite experience so far?
Individual research and writing my Capstone. I set out to write something I am proud of, and I am happy to say that I’ve got it. Couldn’t have done it without Prof. Loren!
Any advice for new students?
It’s scary but it’s not as scary as you think. It’s hard but not that hard. Find your rhythm. And don’t forget to take at least 10 minutes out of your day to just relax and do nothing.