Among the ranks of Rutgers Law School’s incoming students are professionals and academics, first generation law students and legacies, and locals and out-of-towners. Get to know just some of the illustrious first-year students who arrived on campus this fall.
Zachery Abunemeh arrives at Rutgers Law School in Camden with a clear goal: to use his degree to help others, whether that’s in the nonprofit world, as a public defender, or in some other area of public service. He’s a first generation college and law student from Philadelphia (Mississippi!) and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mississippi State University.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
Rutgers University was the perfect intersection of an institution that can help me achieve my goals and dreams, as well as a school that was feasible to attend with their generous scholarship reputation and holistic application process. Programs like the MSP as well as their incredible list of journals and clinics showed that Rutgers took students like me seriously and wanted students like me to attend, which is very atypical for the average law student in socioeconomic status and other aspects. Couple that with good outcome stats and a great location, and Rutgers stood out from the crowd.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
While it sounds basic, learning about law and entering the law field is super exciting for me because it wasn’t something I considered doing until maybe five or six years ago. There is so much I do not know, and that is so exciting.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
I hope that during my time in law school I am able to find pathways, in or out of the law market, to use my degree to make a substantial impact in the lives of those disenfranchised by the hands of oppression. Getting into law school is an achievement in and of itself, and surviving law school is no small feat, but finding a passion while in law school should be the goal for everyone.
Morgan Marckres holds a degree in politics and law from Bryant University and comes to our Newark campus from Essex Junction, Vermont. This first generation law student hopes to work in the public sector one day.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
I chose Rutgers because of the great course selection and clinical program. I want to do something in public interest or government law, and I know the unique opportunities here will help me figure out what I want to eventually practice. I am looking forward to taking advantage of everything Rutgers Law has to offer!
Jessica Mark holds a master of arts in school psychology as well as a doctor of psychology, and plans to practice in the area of elder law. Indeed, her first-hand experience working with disadvantaged and disabled individuals, low-income families, and the elderly well positions her to become a resolute advocate for her clients. This Washington Township, New Jersey native is entering Rutgers Law School in Camden this year alongside her sister, Rebecca.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
I chose Rutgers Law School for a variety of reasons. I appreciate that Rutgers Law takes a holistic view of applicants' credentials, considering academic background as well as personal characteristics such as motivation, determination, and personal accomplishments. Rutgers Law School also has a low student-to-faculty ratio, which is an important factor for me in choosing a law school. It is well located, close to my hometown, and close to major metropolitan areas.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I am looking forward to attending Rutgers Law School because of the many opportunities available to students. I will be awarded with the opportunity to interact with astutely qualified faculty who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, as well as a group of diverse fellow students. I also hope to enrich my law school experience through membership in the many student organizations that Rutgers Law School has to offer.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
I hope to gain knowledge and explore the many diverse areas of law and the legal profession. I hope to meet a diverse group of students, broadening my perspective and enhancing my collaborative initiative. And, I hope to continue to enhance and develop my critical thinking and effective reasoning skills.
Rebecca Mark comes to Rutgers Law School with rich understanding of psychology and special education, and holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in psychology. This Washington Township, New Jersey native is entering Rutgers Law School in Camden this year alongside her sister, Jessica.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
I chose Rutgers Law School because of the academic opportunities for success as a law student and the location. Rutgers offers a variety of classes to explore different areas of the law and has faculty with an impressive range of experiences and backgrounds. Also, the location of Rutgers provides close access to cities, as well as suburban and rural areas, for recreation and a variety of networking opportunities.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I am most looking forward to learning about different areas of the law. I am also looking forward to making connections with students who come from various academic backgrounds. In addition, I look forward to any writing and research experiences.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
I hope to be exposed to knowledge of various areas of the law. Having enjoyed working in areas of psychology and special education, I hope to learn about disability law.
What are your career goals?
My main career goal is to join my family’s elder law firm. I also look forward to discovering other areas of the law as a student and possibly add on other areas of practice to the firm.
Abe Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and a master of public administration from New York University. Most recently, Nelson was a policy advisor to the New York Attorney General. After law school in Newark, the Concord, New Hampshire native and first generation law student hopes to pursue a career in litigation before ultimately returning to government service, either as a legal counsel or in a senior role at a government agency.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
Knowing that starting law school would entail leaving my job as a policy advisor to the New York Attorney General, I wanted to find a law school with a professional culture and students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Admitted Students Day revealed that Rutgers Law offered precisely what I was looking for. I was thrilled to see that it truly does embody the warm, rigorous, and engaging community described in Dean Saleh’s hand-written acceptance letter. In particular, Professor Chen’s mock constitutional law class left me eager to learn more about the major philosophical questions that governments must resolve through legal processes. Finally, my mentor, a proud (slightly biased) Rutgers Law alum, regularly lobbied me by explaining that, although there are many great law schools to choose from, Rutgers Law really is the best choice.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
The clinics. Rutgers Law offers incredible experiential opportunities and I am excited to dive into clinics as a 2L and 3L student.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
I hope to build on my political and policy experience by learning how to litigate cases that can yield significant systemic changes.
Kevin T. O’Brien is a patent agent at Saul Ewing LLP, and is attending Rutgers Law in Camden with the goal of becoming a patent attorney specializing in the life and physical sciences. This Lindenwold, New Jersey native is a first generation college and law student, and holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry as well as a doctor of philosophy in chemistry.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
I chose Rutgers Law School for a number of reasons. As one of the largest law schools in the United States, with campuses in two major metropolitan areas, Rutgers Law School offers an extensive alumni network of reputable attorneys deeply embedded in the tri-state area and beyond. Additionally, as a South Jersey resident employed full-time as a patent agent in Philadelphia, the part-time program offered by Rutgers Law School is perfectly aligned with my geographic and time limitations.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I’m eager to delve deeper into the realm of intellectual property law during my time as a student at Rutgers Law School. I’m equally excited to venture into what is, at least from my perspective, uncharted legal territories. That is, areas of the law that I haven’t had extensive exposure to in my role as a patent agent.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
The primary reason I am attending law school is to transition from a patent agent to a patent attorney. This shift will empower me to offer more comprehensive legal guidance to clients. Moreover, I seek to refine my legal thinking skills and sharpen my persuasive writing abilities, which will enable me to advocate for clients more adeptly.
Jamicka Rutherford was born in Linden, Guyana and holds a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Guyana. This first generation law student plans to leverage her JD degree earned in Newark to work in criminal law or public international law and foreign policy.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
First and foremost, I chose Rutgers Law for its commitment to the support and betterment of each student on an individual level. Further, Rutgers attracted me because of its abundance of opportunities; for instance, I was selected as this year’s Miller Scholar, an opportunity that has both served as motivation and humbled me. Moreover, as an Afro-Caribbean woman in a new part of the world, it was important to me that I found a sense of community; the Minority Student Program provided exactly that. Further, I will soon start my work study under the Law Associates Fellowship Program and I know that this will be highly beneficial to my career and a learning experience. Lastly, the rich culture surrounding Newark also made the law school attractive—for example, the Newark rebellion that contributed to the creation of the Minority Student Program that in turn catalyzed the racial diversification of the law school.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I am looking forward to growing and developing as a legal professional under the guidance of the outstanding faculty and joining one of the many amazing legal clinics. Quite a few of the clinics have piqued my interest, particularly the Immigrant Justice Clinic. As an immigrant myself, this is a clinic that resonates personally with me and where I believe I can be of the most use. Other clinics that I am interested in are the International Human Rights Clinic and the Community and Transactional Lawyering Clinic. My goal to work in any of these clinics is premised on my intention to not only focus on the academic aspect of being in law school, but to proactively make a difference during my time at Rutgers, no matter how big or small.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
At the moment, I have quite a few legal interests. The first is to work in international law and foreign policy. This interest developed from a childhood dream of working for CARICOM (The Caribbean Community, an intergovernmental organization) and the United Nations. Another interest is corporate law, as I was a business major in high school and took up electives in the area during my final year of undergrad. Lastly, I am also interested in criminal prosecution. This interest developed from my certification to prosecute in the Magistrate’s Courts of Guyana. Though my interests are many, I can say with utmost certainty that my time at Rutgers will refine me into an advocate for those that cannot advocate for themselves. I am looking forward to becoming an alum of ‘the people’s electric law school’ come 2026.
Millie Martinez Sosa, a first generation college and law student, hopes to leverage her law degree earned in Camden to become a prosecutor and victim’s advocate, particularly for the Spanish-speaking community. From Vineland, New Jersey, Sosa holds a bachelor of arts in law and justice studies.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
The environment at Rutgers Law School was the reason I was ultimately drawn to the school. Upon first visiting the law school, I felt a sense of community from the faculty and students. Knowing that there would be individuals there to support me throughout my legal education, no matter whether things would become good or bad, made me decide Rutgers Law was for me.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I am most looking forward to going to class. I believe that the classroom is where we will learn the law and gain the skills necessary to advocate on behalf of others to make impactful change.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
My goal in law school is to become the best lawyer I can be. Hopefully, through what I learn and through the connections I make, I will be able to accomplish all my future endeavors.
Patrick Vinchur arrives at Rutgers Law School in Newark with a scientific background. He holds a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Purdue University, and is the first in his family to attend law school. The Hillsborough, New Jersey native is looking forward to accessing the direct pipeline to the New York market afforded by Rutgers Law’s Newark campus, and anticipates focusing on labor and employment law.
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
Coming from a scientific background, I’m excited to immerse myself into a completely new field of study. More importantly, I am looking to make connections with my peers here that will last a lifetime.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
I want to come out of law school with a breadth of legal knowledge so I can use that knowledge to benefit the community around me.
What are your career goals?
While I am not entirely sure as to the area of law I would like to practice in, I think I am most interested in labor and employment law. I would like to use my legal expertise to advise labor unions and employees in the struggle for better worker’s rights.
Patrick Walsh is an assistant fiscal analyst at the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services, tasked with writing bills and fiscal notes, and conducting fiscal estimates. This first generation law student and South Amboy, New Jersey native holds three degrees from Rutgers University: a bachelor’s degree in public policy and political science, a master’s degree in public policy (MPP), and a master’s degree in health administration (MHA).
Why did you choose Rutgers Law School?
The opportunity to pursue my fourth degree from Rutgers University and to study and practice law while also representing my alma mater is truly a dream come true. Throughout my career, I have proudly grown professionally, academically, and athletically in the State of New Jersey and at Rutgers University. Rutgers’ diverse curriculum, flexible scheduling, commitment to public service, and incredible externship opportunities are a few of the many reasons that I chose to attend Rutgers Law School [in Newark].
What are you most looking forward to as a Rutgers Law student?
I am looking forward to meeting my classmates and connecting with Rutgers Law School’s extensive alumni network and community. New Jersey is a special place and I can’t wait to connect with some extremely talented and bright individuals from around the state and across the country.
What are you hoping to accomplish during your time in law school?
My goal is to improve my technical writing skills, enhance my critical thinking, and gain a solid understanding of the laws that govern the State of New Jersey and beyond.