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Danielle Ahlzadeh '13

Danielle Ahlzadeh

Law College Class of 2013

Hometown and Undergraduate School:
Atlanta, GA; University of Michigan

Campus Activities and Organizations:
Moot Court Member and Moot Court Team Coach; Graduate Research Assistant to the International Student Scholars and Services

Why did you choose to study law?
I knew that I would be entering into a field in which no two days are ever the same. As various legal issues and problems are constantly presented, finding creative ways to advocate for a position intrigues me and I don’t think I will  ever get bored.

What specific areas of law interest you most and why?
I am extremely interested in Family Law because emotions run high, and as an attorney, you have the ability to act as an advocate for your client, as well as a counselor. Dealing with complex familial relationships, and detangling the intricate webs which are weaved between family members and bitter spouses is fascinating to me.

How would you most like to make an impact in your chosen field of law?
I would like to become a lawyer who is known for her work ethic and zealous advocacy. I would like to be able to achieve the most beneficial outcome for my client, while utilizing tactics with minimal distress, and maximum advantages.

What is your favorite thing about being in law school?
Learning the hard way that there is almost always no right answer. Almost nothing is black and white, and the answer is most likely: “it depends.”  It all comes down to how you argue one side or another. Finding the similarities as well as the differences between your case and how it can be compared to either a statute or another case helps drive creativity and persuasive writing.

If you could be invisible for a whole day, where would you go and why?
I most likely would go to the White House. It would be pretty interesting to see what the President does on a daily basis, especially when he thinks no one is around.

What is your favorite attribute of Georgia State Tradition or the College of Law?
The open door policy with many of the Professors. The Faculty at GSU are genuinely interested in seeing you succeed. Many are always willing to either elaborate on a concept that is somewhat confusing, or to accommodate your schedule so you can take the courses that your passionate about.

What advice would you give to incoming law students? 
Find out the professors’ expectations, and learn from your mistakes. If you didn’t originally get the grade you wanted on your first exam, find out why. Never be afraid to ask questions.

Have you had an internship/externship or other legal work experience? Please describe briefly, if yes.
Yes. Prior to attending law school I worked for Ross & Pines, an Atlanta-based firm that represents clients in criminal defense, personal injury and immigration-related matters. During my 1L year and summer, I clerked for Kessler & Solomiany, a firm that practices exclusively in the area of Family Law. While at K& S, I assisted with the publication of the Library of Georgia Family Law Forms, a Georgia divorce formbook distributed by the Daily Report. At both internships, I had the opportunity to get hands on experience, and truly learn from others around me. The attorneys at both Ross & Pines and Kessler & Solomiany are unbelievable lawyers, people and role models. I can only hope to one day be as great as they are.

What is the best career preparation advice you’ve received from Career Services Office?
Network. Network. Network. I cannot emphasize this enough. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know.