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| Denisse Tanasa is a 2L at GGU Law |
Before coming to law school, I received my BA in Justice Studies from San Jose State, which is where I had my first glimpse of the legal system. During my undergraduate years, I worked for a criminal defense attorney, which gave me practical insight into a specific area of law. I always knew I wanted to work in the public sector, but my interest in criminal justice - specifically criminal defense – came from those experiences, as well as my own family history.
My family moved to the United States from Romania when I was a young child. Having lived under the Iron Curtain of Soviet Russia, my parents instilled in me a great deal of respect for the democracy and justice of our new home. Although our system in the States is far from perfect, I have always highly valued the ideals of due process and equal protection, and felt drawn to make them part of my career.
Describe something special about your law school experience.
Law school is different than undergrad for many reasons, but the most striking to me is the amount of commitment you and your classmates show on a daily basis. In law school everyone works incredibly hard, and as a result the competition for top grades is that much more challenging than undergrad.
Fortunately, if you want help – both in class and with internships – GGU has fantastic resources to offer.
What is your greatest motivation as you advance toward a career in public interest?
I am very fortunate to have parents who support me wholeheartedly and believe in my desire to have an impact on my community. I’ve also been encouraged by the staff at the Santa Clara Public Defender's office, where I’ve interned since the spring of 2012. Here at GGU, many of my teachers, such as Professor Yates, inspire me to pursue a career in public service.
What message do you have for your fellow law students, especially 1Ls?
As far as getting through school, try to relax a bit and enjoy what you are learning. Understand that one bad exam does not tank your entire law school career. You’re going to be okay and what might feel like a crisis now will seem entirely trivial in six months.
Take practice exams! As smart as you sound in class, it does not mean you can coherently synthesize that information in writing under a time limit.
Most importantly, figure out what part of the law you love and do that before concerning yourself with making money. As a wise (and happy) attorney once told me, “Do what you love, do it well, and the money will come.”
Interviewer: Michael Portman is a 1L Public Interest Scholar. Before coming to GGU, he spent a year as Princeton In Asia Fellow before taking a position as an investigator for the Habeas Corpus Resource Center.
