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Chavarria says that, as cliché as it is, her favorite aspect of law school is the challenge and the opportunity to learn new things. Since she was an English major during her undergraduate studies at Austin College, she had no background in the law or anything related to the law, such as economics or finance, so everything was new and unfamiliar to her. Despite the daunting task ahead of her, Chavarria immersed herself in the task at hand and has found that she loves studying the law.
Chavarria is not entirely sure about what she plans to do after graduating. This summer she will be working as a summer associate for Dewey Ballantine in New York, but beyond that all, she knows is that she would like to do transactional work.
According to Chavarria, her participation in student groups and activities has played a major role in her law school career. This past year, she served as co-president of the Latino/a Law Students Association (LLSA), an organization whose goal, according to its mission statement, is "to create and foster an environment in which Latino students, as well as the Law School community, can discover and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Latino cultural heritage and issues that face Latinos residing in the United States." Chavarria and fellow co-president Andrea Forton established several goals for the organization, not the least of which was to make it a more active organization. In order to boost attendance, they had guest speakers at their meetings, quarterly service projects, social events, and bar reviews. Chavarria says that she is only slightly exaggerating when she says the benefits of getting involved in student activities are "immeasurable."
"First, the people. I met several of my best friends in LLSA [when I joined] last year, and I also got to meet 2Ls and 3Ls who I probably would not have otherwise met," said Chavarria. "I also had a great 2L mentor who really helped me adjust to law school and who I am still good friends with. Second, being in a student association gives you something else to do besides law school. Law school takes up a huge amount of time, of course, so it's nice to have something else to do that is not necessarily law-related. It gives you a chance to be a more interesting person."
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She also says that one of her favorite law school memories so far was participating in the University of Chicago Law School's "Law School Musical," an annual production that spoofs every day law school life, including professors and students.
"The musical is written, staged, directed, choreographed, and performed entirely by University of Chicago law students," Chavarria said. "I had a very small part, 'Hippie Girl,' but it was a blast."
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According to Chavarria, the people who have influenced her the most during her law school career are not professors, prominent attorneys, or classmates, but are the same people who have influenced her throughout her life—her parents.
"They have always been encouraging and supporting, pushing me to do my best and make the most of the education I am fortunate enough to be receiving. Every time I talk to them, my dad reminds me to focus and work hard, and I never forget it. I definitely owe what I've accomplished so far to them," Chavarria said.
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