Ask the Grad: Class of 2025
The 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law is pleased to celebrate the graduates of the Class of 2025. This impressive group of students joins a tight-knit community of more than 12,000 草榴社区 Law alumni.
Before they leave us, we asked members of the class of 2025 to share more about their 草榴社区 Law experience.
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
What I鈥檒l miss most is the incredible community I鈥檝e found and helped build over the past three years. There鈥檚 something special about being able to greet nearly a hundred familiar faces each day鈥攖hose small interactions have a way of brightening your day and making you feel like you belong. That sense of connection is something I鈥檒l always treasure.
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
My most memorable experience, without question, was being part of a three-person team that played a key role in securing freedom for a man sentenced to life in federal prison. This incredible moment was made possible through my work in the Caritas Clemency Clinic鈥攁 powerful reminder of the real impact advocacy can have. It鈥檚 a defining moment I鈥檒l carry with me for a very long time.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I鈥檓 thrilled to step into the role of inaugural pro bono coordinator at Jensen Bagnato, PC, where I鈥檒l have the opportunity to support clients navigating child custody, divorce, criminal, civil and immigration matters. This role marks the beginning of a chapter I鈥檝e long looked forward to鈥攄oing what I love: advocating fiercely for those who need it most and working every day to make our society more just, compassionate and accessible for all.
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
The greatest piece of advice I can offer is this: it鈥檚 not about where your journey begins but how you choose to finish it. Embrace every moment鈥攍earn from it, grow through it and enjoy it as much as you can. Challenges and hardships are inevitable, but they don鈥檛 define us. We are where we are, and we鈥檙e heading where we鈥檙e meant to be because we鈥檝e refused to let any obstacle feel too big to overcome. And if you ever find yourself doubting your path, remember this: we鈥檙e all rooting for you. We believe in you鈥攕o keep going.
S.K. Pilcher 鈥25
Dean鈥檚 Ambassador
President, Women鈥檚 Law Caucus
Secretary, Student Mental Health Society
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
When I applied to 草榴社区 Law, I interviewed with the dean of admissions. We joked about how the public perceives lawyers: mean, rude and competitive. He told me that 草榴社区 Law is for law students who want to break that stereotype and redefine what it means to be a lawyer. In that moment, I decided to attend 草榴社区 Law, and I am so glad I did. 草榴社区 Law is full of an amazing, connected energy that celebrates you in your highs and supports you in your lows. The camaraderie of the students here is unmatched, and I will miss this comfort as I venture into the legal profession.听
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
Although I won鈥檛 forget the countless hours of studying anytime soon, my most memorable experiences at 草榴社区 Law happened outside the classroom. Serving as president of the Women鈥檚 Law Caucus and as a Dean鈥檚 Ambassador were incredible honors and helped shape my time here in meaningful ways. But above all, the moments I鈥檒l cherish most are the simple ones: laughing, bonding and living life with my classmates.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I鈥檓 looking forward to carrying the spirit of 草榴社区 Law into my next chapter, where collaboration, empathy and authenticity guide my legal practice. I hope to build and contribute to a legal community that is as supportive and uplifting as the one I found here, where people show up for each other both professionally and personally.
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
Be yourself, be silly and be unique. Comparison is the thief of joy, and that proverb is more relevant than ever in law school. You will inevitably compare yourself to your classmates and vice versa, but remember there鈥檚 no right way to be a law student, especially at 草榴社区 (we鈥檙e breaking stereotypes, remember?). School is very important; don鈥檛 get me wrong, but being a person鈥攕pecifically being yourself鈥攊s more important.听
Kelsey McCafferty 鈥25
Chair, National Trial Team
Associate Editor, 草榴社区 Law Review
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
The people. The 草榴社区 Law community is like no other. From students to staff members to professors鈥攅veryone is kind, helpful and so down-to-earth.
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
My most memorable experience is having the honor of competing in the National Trial Championship final round. I will never forget the feeling of standing up in front of a jury of 25 Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and trying a case in front of them with one of my best friends.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I鈥檓 looking forward to trying more restaurants in Center City! And in between great dinners, working on cutting-edge legal issues with my incredible colleagues.
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
Do practice exams even when your outline isn鈥檛 perfect. Find a mentor鈥攁nd don鈥檛 feel bad about asking your mentor a bunch of questions because we鈥檝e all been in your shoes. Leave the law school immediately after exams and prioritize really getting to know your classmates because you will meet so many incredible people. Most importantly, though, remember that pressure is a privilege. What you are embarking on may be the hardest thing you have ever done, but even during the lows, don鈥檛 forget how much of a privilege it is to be in a position that challenges and empowers you every day.
Bae Schulz 鈥25
Editor-in-chief, 草榴社区 Environmental Law Journal
3L Representative, Health Law Society
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
What I'll miss most about 草榴社区 Law are the relationships I have formed with both faculty and students. As the editor-in-chief of the 草榴社区 Environmental Law Journal, I have had the pleasure of working closely with my student peers and with the Journal's faculty advisor, Professor Aagaard. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been in a leadership role that allows me to not only help others grow as writers, but to get to know people beyond their identities as law students. Professor Aagaard's support and guidance throughout my tenure have been invaluable, and I am so grateful for everything he has done for me and our Journal.听
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
My most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law would probably be the 2023 PIFP Auction when I was a 1L. My mom was visiting from Florida, and I got to introduce her to some of my closest friends and show her around the building. The bidding and live auction are so much fun each year, and the proceeds help fund students who seek careers in public interest. All around, the annual PIFP Auction is a wonderful event that unites local businesses, alumni, friends, family and faculty to support a great cause.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am most looking forward to practicing full-time in healthcare litigation and medical malpractice defense. I came to 草榴社区 Law in pursuit of a career in health law, and I am doing just that post-graduation. The practical experience I gained from my summer positions and externships have shaped me significantly. Learning the law in a classroom and textbooks is one thing; applying it to real-life situations is entirely different. My three years at 草榴社区 Law gave me the tools I need to be a successful litigator, and I cannot wait to use them every day as a practicing attorney!
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
The one piece of advice I would give to the class of 2028 would be to seek out friends and a support system early on. My closest friends are those I met in my 1L year, and they are some of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met in my life! The competitive atmosphere during 1L can be intense, but finding the right people will help you more than you know. Stress in law school is inevitable, but having supportive friends kept my mental health in check and grounded me when I felt overwhelmed.听
Hannah Posencheg 鈥25
Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal
3L Representative, Student Bar Association
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
I will miss the friendships I鈥檝e made at 草榴社区 Law the most. Law school is undoubtedly one of the hardest things I鈥檝e ever done, and I really think it鈥檚 the people, both fellow students and faculty, that helped me get through the toughest moments!
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
Among so many memorable moments, I鈥檇 say that giving my end-of-the-year speech at the Journals Recognition Dinner was one of my favorites. It was in that moment where the feeling of finally being finished with law school started to really sink in, especially because my 3L year was the complete opposite of the 鈥3LOL鈥 some students joke about!
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am most excited to begin my career at the firm where I first started my legal journey the year before law school! It feels like such a full-circle moment, and I can鈥檛 wait to learn from such incredible mentors and attorneys. I also got engaged in March and can鈥檛 wait to get married!
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
Take care of yourself! Law school is a marathon, not a sprint. Sleep and fresh air are more important than annotating every single page in your textbook. Your 3L self and beyond will thank you!听
Anthony Ryback 鈥25
Public Interest Scholar
Associate Editor,听Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal听
What are you going to miss most about 草榴社区 Law?
I will miss my friends and the community I was fortunate enough to cultivate over my three years. I came here from out of state not knowing anyone, and I am leaving with life-long friendships. I will also miss being in a space where I had opportunities to pursue my professional interests and passions while being taught by incredible professors.听
What is your most memorable experience at 草榴社区 Law?
My most memorable experience would be getting to know the other public interest-minded students and building community with them! We might not be the biggest group, but hearing the types of work that others are getting to do during law school and afterwards inspires me.听
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your next chapter?
I am looking forward to applying all the skills I have learned during my three years here in representing indigent clients. I came to law school wanting to go into public defense, and 草榴社区 helped get me to the job I wanted coming into law school!听
What advice would you give the incoming 草榴社区 Law class of 2028?
Focus on the process, not the outcome! As long as you feel like you did your best, you should be proud of yourself. I would also recommend adopting two cats for your mental health.听
听听