STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Brianna Gaddy
Feb. 21, 2020
Attorneys are often required to ask and answer difficult questions. Luckily, 3L Brianna Gaddy might have had a head start.
“Growing up people always told me that I would be an incredible lawyer because I asked way too many questions,” said Gaddy. “My favorite one was ‘why?’”
Gaddy has helped many underclassmen find their paths at AUWCL through mentorship. Gearing up to graduate in less than 100 days, Gaddy credits her own mentors for encouraging her involvement in Moot Court Honor Society, where she serves as the executive tournament director.
We spoke to Gaddy about why she chose AUWCL, and how her involvement with Moot Court has impacted her legal future.
What brought you to law school?
At UNC Chapel Hill (go Heels), I double majored in Global Studies and Spanish and really enjoyed learning about both domestic and international laws and policies. But what most intrigued me were the international policies and the role of international organizations.
After college I moved to Spain and taught English in two public schools with students ranging from the ages of five to 14. That experience, coupled with tutoring all throughout college, verified that I cared about education, but wanted to address it systematically and perhaps internationally.
I always knew that I wanted to go to law school in the Washington, D.C. area and I only applied to law schools here, and WCL seemed like the perfect fit for my interests. Although my interests have changed, I am still so thankful that I chose WCL.
How did you get involved in Moot Court? What is your role?
I joined Moot Court my second semester of 1L year because of the Legal Rhetoric program, specifically my two dean’s fellows: Austin Egan and Chelsea Krzaczek. They were both members of the team and encouraged me to try out for Alvina (the first-year competition) because it was a no-consequence tournament and would be great practice for the required Legal Rhetoric appellate argument. I was very hesitant to join, but surprisingly, I enjoyed it.
I currently serve as the executive tournament director. AUWCL Moot Court hosts four big tournaments every year: the Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition, Alvina, Spring Qualifying Tournament, and Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. I collaborate with others on the team to ensure that the competitions run smoothly—for example, finding judges, securing outside teams to participate, and dealing with administrative tasks such as food.
How has Moot Court impacted your legal perspective?
Moot has given me the opportunity to recognize the ways in which the law and policy can work together to create arguments for change. We are often tasked with arguing both sides of an issue, which forces us to recognize that every argument has two sides. I’ve been forced to argue in favor of positions with which I personally disagree, but as an advocate I have grappled with the law and policy to attempt to cobble together arguments that are legally sound, reasonable, and persuasive.
What's one key skill you've developed through your experience?
My public speaking skills have significantly improved, and my ability to speak on my feet. I hope that my future bosses, or judges that I argue in front of know that I spent the time preparing for the argument and my clients have trust that I need to hard work and will be able to advocate for them.
How do intend to use your law degree? What experiences helped lead you to this path?
I want to work in the civil rights field, and I think that my Moot experience will be invaluable to advance basic rights through a combination of law and compelling policy. Starting in August, I will be a law clerk for Judge Jeannie J. Hong in Baltimore City Circuit Court. She is an AUWCL alum which is such an exciting opportunity.
Throughout laws school, I have been fortunate with the job and internship experiences that I have had because they have all worked together for me to be on the path where I am today. My 1L summer I worked for Judge Reggie Walton in the District Court for D.C., and that summer we heard part of an employment case and that first peaked my interest in employment law. My 2L fall I externed at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which allowed me to further my interest in labor and employment law. This culminated with me being a summer associate at Miles and Stockbridge in their Labor and Employment group, where I will be after my clerkship next year.