Alana Paccione

Experiential Learning 

While at Temple, I made it a priority to get as much experiential learning experience as possible so that I could graduate confident in my ability to advocate for clients. I was part of the Federal Re-entry Court Clinic and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Clinic, and both opportunities gave me client-facing experience. I interviewed clients and worked with supervising attorneys to figure out how we could best achieve their goals. I also made sure to participate in independent practicums, which allowed me to get course credit for internships. In my 2L and 3L years, I spent semesters interning at the United States Department of Justice, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Clean Air Council. Being able to intern during the school year gave me the chance to balance out learning in the classroom with hands-on experience in office spaces. This provided me with exciting views into the legal profession and prepared me for life after graduation. 

Participation and Leadership 

My participation in student organizations was instrumental to my law school experience and personal growth. During my 2L year, I was a staff editor for Temple Law Review. My responsibilities as a staff editor kept me busy, but also taught me so much about effective writing and the importance of teamwork. I valued the experience so much that I continued my involvement with the group and became an articles editor the following year. Being a part of Temple Law Review opened me up to a group of amazing peers, exposed me to new legal topics, and enhanced my attention to detail and writing skills. 

I also served as President of the Temple Environmental Law Society, where I gathered with a group of like-minded individuals and created a space for open discussions about environmental justice issues in Philadelphia. I had the opportunity to organize a day-long conference at our school and invited esteemed attorneys and environmental advocates to talk about some of the most pressing environmental issues that communities are currently facing. The experience helped me become a more effective leader and introduced me to so many brilliant students across all years at Temple Law. 

Faculty Mentors 

Professors Amy Sinden and Ken Hurwitz were extremely influential in shaping my legal education throughout my time at Temple. Not only are they excellent professors with the ability to explain complex topics with ease, but they are true mentors that care about the professional development of students. There were so many times that I was confused about the legal path I wanted to take, but I always knew I could go to both of them for advice. They were always willing to listen to me talk about whatever was on my mind and were especially helpful when it came to thinking about different career opportunities. I feel extremely lucky to have formed a relationship with both professors and look forward to keeping in touch after graduation. I will always consider them as my mentors, even long after leaving Temple.  

Networking Advice 

Networking can be a scary thing – especially for shy people like me! As a first generation and minority student, it was super nerve wracking at first to strike up a conversation with an experienced professional. But my advice is to just go for it! Don’t be afraid to send a quick email or walk up to someone and say hello. Throughout law school, I learned that most lawyers are actually really interested in helping out students and offering advice. After all, they were law students once too! Networking is a great way to get some insight into the profession and potentially be exposed to job opportunities you didn’t know about. Go into conversations with an open mind, ask questions, and try to make a real, genuine connection with the people you speak to. 

What I Wish I Knew 

When I enrolled at Temple Law in the midst of the COVID pandemic, I was equally excited and nervous about what was about to come. Stories about having endless reading assignments and professors that cold call on students were all I knew. What I quickly learned, however, is that law school is truly a place for growth. Law school is the place to ask questions and engage with classroom material in a way that is different from how we ever have before. In law school, you are trained to think critically about issues from all sides. However, this doesn’t happen overnight. As each semester passes, students grow and evolve as thinkers. Moreover, professors are the biggest asset to students and only want the best for us and our professional development. Law school is where we should feel comfortable engaging in discussion, making mistakes, and learning how to be the best wherever we end up.