STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Justin Snyder
Dec. 4, 2019
Along with being a business law student, 3L Justin Snyder serves as the executive director of the LAMBDA Law Society—AUWCL's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) student group, founded in 1984 as a political, educational, and social organization.
We asked about Snyder’s work with LAMBDA, and how he’s using his AUWCL experiences to create a path toward a career in corporate business.
What enticed you to go into law?
My interest in law began my senior year of high school when I worked as a legal assistant at a firm in Annapolis. As an undergraduate studying finance and government and politics, I became fascinated by the intersection of business and law and it was this that propelled me to attend law school.
Why did you choose AUWCL?
I chose AUWCL because I wanted to study in Washington, D.C. and the Business Law Program has an extensive curriculum. The campus is beautiful, and the professors are at outstanding.
Why did you decide to get involved with LAMBDA? How do you serve the organization in your role as executive director?
I joined Lambda Law Society because I am passionate about building awareness for LGBTQ legal issues and fostering a supportive LGBTQA community. As executive director, I oversee the administration, programs, and strategic plan of Lambda. Our programs include speakers involved in current legal issues, panel discussions, networking receptions, community activism, and social events.
What kind of impact has LAMBDA had on you personally, and what do you think it brings to the AUWCL community as a whole?
Lambda has allowed me to serve as a leader in the LGBTQA community and led to hundreds of fruitful professional relationships. Lambda is the voice of WCL’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally community and it builds awareness about LGBTQ legal issues, eliminates stereotypes about LGBTQ individuals, and fosters a supportive LGTBQA community throughout the law school.
You are pursuing a career in corporate law. What experiences inside and outside of the AUWCL classroom do you feel have helped you on your path forward?
My coursework and hands-on experience with law firms including Plave Koch and Ackerman Brown have allowed me to expand my knowledge and understanding of corporate law and pursue a career in it. Everyone who attends AUWCL should take part in the Externship Program because it allows students to gain practical, hands-on legal experience.