Student Spotlight: Christopher Simpson '11
As with any academic institution, the essence of a law school is found in its people. While Notre Dame Law has been blessed with the marvelous Eck Hall of Law, this new space would be inconsequential without the first-class professors and students that occupy it.
In my first year at NDLS I have been humbled and awed by the academic discourse between my peers and professors. The students here are motivated by a high level of intellectual curiosity that makes most class sessions stimulating. Such passion is echoed by the Notre Dame faculty members, who engage students in challenging classroom dialogue in addition to providing countless hours of instruction in the “office hours” setting.
My current summer employment perfectly highlights the constant enthusiasm on display at NDLS. Along with two other students, (Catilin Dahl, 2011, and Katherine Schuman, 2011) I am working as a research assistant for Professor G. Robert Blakey here in South Bend. Professor Blakey is the foremost authority on the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and was the Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee on Criminal Laws and Procedures in the United States Senate during the early 1970s. Caitlin, Katherine, and I are helping Professor Blakey on separate pieces of RICO scholarship. I am assisting Professor Blakey on the criminal forfeiture section within RICO, and how courts have interpreted it. While the work is demanding, it is also incredibly satisfying. Professor Blakey’s passion for the law is infectious, and he is happy to take the time to impart his encyclopedic knowledge upon us. Furthermore, working alongside two inspired students like Catilin and Katherine allows for a constant dialogue that helps me better understand RICO as a whole. In short, it is a privilege to go to work each day.
Notre Dame Law School is a unique place. I may be biased, but I do not believe other law schools enjoy the same level of aptitude and camaraderie between students and professors that exists here. This common bond has helped me grow as a student and as an individual. NDLS is the perfect fit for me, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to study here.
