Nat Lewis, a law student at Chicago-Kent College of Law, shares insights into his journey through law school and the experiences that have shaped his career path. "Something that’s been a motivator throughout law school has been the assumption on my part—maybe it’s a naive one, maybe it’s mistaken—that there’s something edifying about trying as many things as you can," says Lewis.
With an undergraduate background in English, Lewis found himself drawn to creative writing, which included fiction and poetry. His decision to attend law school was driven by a desire to leverage his skills in new contexts. "I wanted to leverage those skills in different contexts," he explains.
Lewis is enrolled in Chicago-Kent's Honors Scholars Program, a full-tuition scholarship designed for students with the potential to influence the legal profession's direction. The program allows scholars to explore various aspects of legal practice and public policy while working closely with faculty members.
During his initial visit to Chicago-Kent, Lewis was impressed by the mentorship opportunities within the Honors Scholars Program. "I was really moved by the opportunities for mentorship within the program," he recalls. This interaction played a significant role in his decision-making process regarding which law school to attend.
Through the program, Lewis connected with a peer mentor who introduced him to organizations such as the Moot Court Honors Society and Chicago-Kent Law Review. He served as executive notes and comments editor for the latter and acted as class representative for the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.
Lewis emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive community at Chicago-Kent. "I think there is this expectation that [Chicago-Kent students] are generally pretty kind to each other," he says. He values contributing positively to this culture.
He also became involved with Chicago-Kent's Self-Help Resource Center, serving as supervisory manager. This student-run help desk assists litigants navigating complex court systems independently.
Additionally, Lewis worked as a teaching assistant for Assistant Professor Angela Debush in Legal Writing I and II courses, mentoring students in their writing endeavors.
Beyond academics, Lewis gained professional experience during summer externships. After his first year of law school, he externed for Judge Alison C. Conlon at Cook County Circuit Court's Chancery Division. The following summer was spent at Latham & Watkins LLP exploring multiple legal areas.
Interested in transactional practice areas like banking and investment funds, Lewis appreciates having an offer to practice in Chicago while continuing to explore different fields for another year. "I was looking for opportunities where I could get as much experience before committing to a certain practice area as much as possible," he states.
Reflecting on his time at Chicago-Kent College of Law so far: “But with instruction and mentorship that I’ve received during my time at Chicago-Kent,” he concludes confidently: “I do feel confident that I’ll find my way.”