From UIC to JD: Insights from Alumni and Recent Law School Graduates
March 11, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location
Zoom
Calendar
Download iCal FileJoin us for a panel discussion with three UIC alums who recently graduated from out-of-state law schools as they share their experiences and answer current pre-law students' questions!
Alumni guests: Nizar Quafisheh (UIC '21, University of Iowa College of Law '24), Olivia Baginski (UIC '21, Seattle University School of Law '24) and Drew Fowler (UIC '21, Syracuse University College of Law '24)
Date posted
Feb 10, 2025
Date updated
Feb 25, 2025
Speakers
Olivia Baginski | UIC '21, Seattle University School of Law '24
Olivia Baginski graduated from UIC in 2021 with a double major in Communication and English Literature. Shortly thereafter, she left Chicago to attend Seattle University School of Law. During her three (3) years in Seattle, she became dedicated to numerous grassroot organizations earning her the Pro Bono Pledge Outstanding Service Award. She also was President of the school's Intellectual Property Law Society, and led other organizations such as the Public Interest Law Foundation, OutLaws, and her school's journal, Seattle Journal for Social Justice (SJSJ). Through SJSJ, she got to publish her article on raw data and solutions to curbing sexism in a law school classroom. Olivia is a newly licensed attorney in both Washington and Illinois state. She is currently an Associate Attorney for a boutique law firm located in the Loop focusing primarily on civil litigation matters such as employment, trademark, corporate law, and estate planning.
Drew Fowler | UIC '21, Syracuse University College of Law '24
Drew Fowler graduated summa cum laude from UIC in 2021 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History. He then attended Syracuse University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2024 with a joint JD/MPA degree. While at Syracuse Law, he was Editor-in-Chief of the Syracuse Law Review, Vice President of the American Constitution Society chapter, and a Research Assistant for the Cold Case Justice Initiative. After graduation he passed the bar exam and was sworn in as an Illinois attorney. He is currently a Term Law Clerk for the Honorable Fredrick J. Scullin, Jr., District Court for the Northern District of New York. At the end of his term in August, he will join the United States Postal Service legal department, Property and Procurement Section as a Honors Attorney in DC.
Nizar Quafisheh | UIC '21, University of Iowa College of Law '24
Nizar Quafisheh graduated from UIC Summa Cum Laude in 2021 with a degree in Political Science. Upon graduation, he immediately attended law school at The University of Iowa College of Law on a full-tuition merit scholarship. During his law school tenure, he served as a Legal Research Assistant, participated in Appellate Advocacy, and was a student writer for The Journal of Corporation Law. He then served on the Executive Board for The Journal of Corporation Law as an Articles Editor. Following his graduation and passage of the Bar Exam in 2024, Nizar was sworn in as an attorney in Illinois. He is currently an Assistant State's Attorney in St. Clair County Illinois, helping represent the County in various criminal proceedings ranging from criminal misdemeanors, domestic violence cases, and felonies.