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An active learner discovers her calling in litigation

An active learner discovers her calling in litigation

3L Lauren Keane, the recipient of both a merit scholarship and the Class of 1967 scholarship, has been involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities that have expanded her skill set and shaped her career choices. "I'd encourage any and all incoming students to get involved their 2L year and to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities Loyola has to offer," she says.

A RISK THAT REWARDED: After working in media for six years, Keane didn’t feel challenged or inspired. Reflecting on her next step, she realized she’d long been interested in the law. “I took a giant leap of faith, quit my job, and came to Loyola—and haven’t looked back since. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” she says.

THE PATH TO LOYOLA: "Loyola was an easy choice; it provides not only a fantastic education, but also the opportunity to grow as a person,” says Keane, who earned her B.A. degree in history from the Jesuit College of the Holy Cross. “It was important to me to find a law school that has that same sense of community and promotes the same types of Jesuit values."

LOOKING FORWARD TO LITIGATING: Keane, who is first in her class, is launching a career in litigation. “I love the writing and research aspects of preparing for trial. I also sincerely enjoyed my Trial Practice course and have participated for the past two years on moot court,” she says. After graduation, Keane will join the Chicago firm of Sidley Austin as an associate in the litigation group, where she’ll focus on product liability and mass torts.

PROFESSORS WHO ENGAGE: "My Loyola professors are interested in their students, both academically and as people,” Keane says. Her favorite faculty member, Matthew Sag, “takes the time to get to know his students and truly invests in their growth. I’ve learned so much from him."

ALWAYS ACTIVE: Besides tutoring Sag’s 1L students and coauthoring a currently unpublished article with him and another student, Keane has been a staff member and executive editor of articles for the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. She’s also competed twice on the Saul Lefkowitz IP Moot Court team, advancing as a 2L to the national round in Washington, DC.

ENLIGHTENING EXTERNSHIP: A summer externship for Judge Sara Ellis of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois gave Keane exposure to the trial process and a glimpse into the justice system from the perspective of a judge. “The experience certainly shaped my trajectory here at Loyola and career-wise,” Keane says.