Tabitha Pitzer, a 3L at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL), was recently honored with the prestigious Law Student of the Year award by National Jurist magazine.

“When I first heard the news, I was awarded Law Student of the Year by National Jurist magazine. I was floored. I was humbled. I cried a little bit. I'm just immensely grateful for this recognition,” Pitzer said. She attributes to what she feels are “just continuous small acts of kindness”.

For Pitzer, the journey to law school was driven by a lifelong commitment to public interest, a cornerstone of her heart that led her specifically to Washington, D.C.. She chose AUWCL for its stellar record of producing public servants and its compassionate student body, noting that when she applied.

“I had heard that the students here were incredibly kind and compassionate, and I knew that this would be a great fit for me,” she said.

As a first-generation law student and a first-generation American, Pitzer’s path has been defined by a desire to open doors for others. She views the law not just as a profession, but as a vital tool for social progress.

“I see law as a tool to help keep that door open. It's essentially a doorstop,” Pitzer said. “So, when we pass legislation, when progress is made and that door gets pushed just a little bit wider, there's the legal doorstop to keep it open, and the lawyers serve as the protectors of that doorstop.”

This drive to foster accessibility led her to serve as president of Advance, a peer-to-peer mentorship society at AUWCL dedicated to supporting students who are the first in their families to attend law school in the United States.

Pitzer’s experience at AUWCL has been shaped by both rigorous academic training and profound personal connections. She credits her time in the Community Economic and Equity Development Clinic as one of the best experiences of her life, providing her with invaluable one-on-one client counseling skills.

Despite the “intense struggles” of her 1L year, she found lifelong friends in her peers who showed up for her when life didn't stop for law school. This sense of community has reinforced her belief that while lawyers are often depicted as merely “tough,” there is immense room for humanity and compassion within the legal field.

With her graduation from law school a few months away, Pitzer remains open to the vast opportunities a law degree provides, though her heart remains firmly rooted in public service.

Her advice to aspiring law students who share her background is to remain undeterred by self-doubt.

“My greatest piece of advice is that it's not your job to tell yourself no. If you want to go to law school, tell yourself yes,” Pitzer said.

By choosing to say “yes” and pursuing law with a kind heart, Pitzer has not only found personal success but has ensured that the doors of the legal profession stay open just a little wider for the next generation.