Student Spotlight: Susie Wine '10
SBA Vice President
This profile of Student Bar Association (SBA) Vice President Susie Wine was written by SBA President Erin O’Neill.
Upon graduation, a Notre Dame law student is expected to be a “different kind of lawyer” and debunk the unfavorable adages associated with the profession. We are to fight steadfastly for justice, advocate diligently on behalf of our clients, and represent consistently integrity, honesty, and fairness. Some of us entered law school needing to better align those values with our conduct and others of us entered needing to be taught those values’ critical consequences in our lives and the lives of those whom we serve. Third – year and SBA Vice President Susie Wine does not fall into either of those groups. Susie was a different kind of person before entering law school, and is destined to be a different kind of lawyer when she leaves Notre Dame.
While Susie is honest, fair, loyal, trustworthy, and compassionate, these attributes do not set her apart as a different kind of person –– if they did, our law school and the world at large would be in quite the dire situation. If it is at all possible to pinpoint what makes Susie a different kind of person, I humbly suggest that it is because she has found her balance. Susie is brilliant yet grounded, accomplished yet modest, confident yet courteous. Rather than gloat about her achievements and successes, Susie recognizes that God gave her talent and ability with the intent that she serve His will and not her own.
Although Susie may not be one to brag about or demand credit for her deeds, many students, faculty, staff, and alumni know the name, Susie Wine. Susie has been an active member of the Student Bar Association, a LexisNexis student associate, an Insider’s Guide section editor, and a research assistant to the trial advocacy course. In each of these roles, Susie has maintained the sufficient, improved the less than optimal, and contributed new solutions to the problematic. I never ask Susie to take on a task with the expectation that she will complete it in a way that I would –– that would be setting the bar far too low. I ask Susie to take on projects because I know not only will she do what I have requested earlier than I estimated, but also will cover about 5 steps down the road that I did not anticipate.
Without question, Susie is a different kind of person and will be a different kind of lawyer. I doubt Susie will ever know the profound and positive impact she has had on her NDLS family; after all, Susie would not be one to reflect on her own influence. For those of us lucky enough to get to know Susie, it is with great honor that we consider her a different kind of friend.
