Student Spotlight: Katherine Kirkpatrick '09
Student Bar Association President
I am honored to serve as Student Bar Association President at Notre Dame Law School. When I arrived at NDLS, I felt nervous about embarking on a new chapter of my life, but I was welcomed with open arms from the minute I stepped on campus. I admired the people in positions of leadership that greeted me so warmly, and I vowed to dive right in and become involved with this institution that I quickly came to love.
Notre Dame inspires devotion in many alumni, and the law school is no different. As SBA President, a lot of what I do is geared towards my weighty responsibilities as liaison between the students and the administration. I also exercise this privilege as student representative on the Dean Search Committee. Routinely meeting with staff allows me to communicate student concerns and I am continually delighted with the cooperative response I receive from everyone. I was also 1L representative of the SBA, and Executive Board Secretary, so I’ve been able to help at every level, assisting with everything from decorating for the law school luau to installing coat racks to lobbying for the financing of networking events to volunteering for admissions.
The Student Bar Association does everything and anything – we plan social events like the Law School prom, we organize the annual Halloween Party at the Boys and Girls Club, we hold multiple drives to raise canned food and funds for the South Bend Community. We inspire friendly competition with the fierce powder puff football tournament and work with the Career Services Office to help prepare students for interviews. We assign every new student a mentor when they step in the door, so they have someone to go to when they are overwhelmed. And most importantly, the SBA serves as a friendly face and an open door for people that just want to talk about law school’s everyday joys and challenges.
I love being one of the many faces of NDLS, and I work tirelessly for the students at this institution. Ultimately, I’m rewarded by the education I’ve received – education in the law, life, faith, community, and friendship.
For more information about Katherine, visit her student profile page.
