JD Student Spotlight - Emily Raia

What inspired you to pursue litigation, and how did your accounting background influence that decision?

I was inspired to pursue litigation after my experience participating in the 2025 Riccio Competition. I originally believed I would pursue transactional work after my experience in the accounting field. Through my tax internships, I became proficient in working with Excel spreadsheets and preparing tax returns. However, I found I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to defend my client. It was satisfying to present my crafted argument in front of a panel of judges and adapt to their questions throughout my allotted time. The thrill of presenting my argument in each step of the competition ultimately led to my decision to pursue litigation.

What has been the most valuable insight or lesson from your judicial internship with Judge Michael Hammer this summer?

My judicial internship experience was extremely rewarding. Being exposed to the inner workings of the court system allowed me to submit substantive work and interact with the Honorable Judge Hammer on cases that have a significant impact on people and corporations. The most insightful thing I learned was the importance of submitting well-researched work and keeping myself timely so the Judge receives substantive work efficiently.

Looking ahead to your internship with Riker Danzig next summer, what are you most excited to learn or experience?

Riker Danzig offers the opportunity for interns to work in a variety of different legal specialties. I am excited to gain more legal exposure by engaging in these various areas. By the end of the internship, I hope to identify a specialty in litigation practice that sparks my greatest interest. I am also excited to build meaningful connections with my colleagues and grow as a professional by gaining feedback from practicing attorneys at the firm.

You’ve had multiple internships in tax and finance—how has that perspective helped you in law school and shaped your approach to legal problem-solving?

My internships have been incredibly fruitful in shaping my experience in law school. My business knowledge has translated into the world of law substantively, as both are very methodical. In accounting, it is essential to identify the issues and follow the correct steps to reach a conclusion that ultimately represents your clients' interests. In the legal field, I found that recognizing an issue and applying the relevant rule and reasoning to determine the correct legal course of action correlates with the procedures I observed during my internships. These internships also provided numerous soft skills, including teamwork, communication, and adaptability. I was exposed to the world of accounting from a range of perspectives, from a small firm atmosphere to the Big Four industry. I have been able to utilize these skills with my classmates in study groups to help each other grow in our professional careers.

As a member of the Interscholastic Moot Court Board and Treasurer of the Women’s Law Forum, how have these roles enriched your law school experience?

Both of these roles have helped foster connections with my peers that have transformed my law school experience. Through the Women’s Law Forum, I have met many other women who are striving to make an impact in the legal profession. Each member shares the goal of uplifting their female peers as we navigate through law school. Being the treasurer has provided the opportunity to ensure that the club can continue fostering these relationships so other women have this resource throughout their legal journey. Similarly, Moot Court has created a community where I can engage with my peers and improve my appellate advocacy skills by learning their personal approaches and perspectives. I am excited for the opportunity to not only improve my oral advocacy but also become a stronger writer in my briefs with the help of the Moot Court Board team.

You were a quarterfinalist in the Ronald J. Riccio First-Year Moot Court Competition—what did that experience teach you about advocacy?

The experience taught me the importance of adaptability and adequate preparation. I ensured that I had sufficient time to become thoroughly familiar with the facts and relevant case law. I dedicated time to ensure I was comfortable with my argument and potential counterarguments from my adversary. The preparation helped not only with presenting a confident countenance to the judges but also with anticipating potential questions. However, I have learned from the experience to adapt my argument and utilize quick thinking, depending on the questions that challenge my position. With a hot bench, some of my answers need to directly address the judge’s concerns while still advancing my argument. I am excited to continue learning and developing my skills as I progress on the Moot Court Board.

You’ve balanced high-level academics with athletics, earning recognition as a National Collegiate Women’s Rugby All-American—how have sports influenced your work ethic and leadership style?

Sports have had an incredible impact on who I am today and my overall journey to law school. I have played soccer from a very young age and additionally joined rugby in college. The biggest impact sports have had on me as an individual is the drive they have instilled in me. I have always had a connection with competition and have worked to maximize my full athletic potential. I played mostly team sports, so I recognized that my athletic capabilities not only impacted who I was as a player but also the performance of my teammates. Every time I stepped on the field, I was empowered to compete at my best level—not only for my team but because that is how I show my respect for the sport. My dedication to sports has spilled over into my academic endeavors, as I am driven to deliver my best performance in my career. When I remain engaged in class and with my reading, I am aware that my understanding of the law is influenced by my passion for developing as a lawyer. When I became a captain on the rugby team, I was truly appreciative that my teammates looked to me for guidance into the next season. I have always loved strategizing and trying new plays on the field, and I was privileged to know that my teammates trusted me to lead them through the game. My leadership style continues to be one of fostering meaningful relationships to assist my peers, as they recognize that I am a reliable source of guidance.

Officiating as a soccer referee takes confidence and quick decision-making—how do you see those skills translating to the courtroom?

Officiating has been a great way for me to stay connected to soccer and help conduct a safe and fair game for young players. As soccer is a fast-paced game, I must ensure I am paying strict attention and keeping up with strategic plays in order to make informed judgment calls. I have learned to anticipate potential outcomes based on the style of play. I see these skills being applied in the courtroom, as I can anticipate potential arguments. By remembering that I am the neutral, authoritative figure with a strong foundation in the rules of the game, I am able to help calm parents, coaches, and players by explaining my calls and staying firm in my decisions. This translates to the courtroom by presenting my arguments with confidence and being ready for any changing circumstances.

How do you make time for personal interests like rugby, soccer, tennis, cooking, and reading while managing law school’s demands?

Maintaining a work-life balance can be difficult with the law school workload. However, it was important to me that I stay active and continue my love for cooking. To accomplish this, I had to utilize my time management skills and stay organized. I set goals for myself each day on what I needed to accomplish academically to ensure there was time left over to work out and cook. I am currently training for the NYC Marathon this year, so to achieve this goal, I am ensuring that I stay diligent in my workouts while not compromising my law school demands.

What advice would you give to first-year law students about building a strong and well-rounded law school experience?

I would tell first-year law students that it’s their own race and if they stay organized, there is time to enjoy their hobbies and families. It’s a learning curve, so give yourself grace. While school can seem overwhelming, it’s important to also find time to enjoy the things you love. Sometimes it is helpful to get a little ahead to build time in your week for those hobbies. While you should prioritize your law school classes, you should also pursue activities that interest you. I have met many new friends by attending school club meetings that I thought I might enjoy and by trying new things. By staying organized, managing time effectively, and recognizing that everyone has their own method for achieving academic success, I have managed to build strong connections and gain a very fruitful law school experience.