Weekend Warrior - Jennifer Loeb

What inspired you to pursue a legal education, and what led you to choose Seton Hall Law?

I think a part of me always wanted to be a lawyer. Since I was a child, I felt passionately about fighting for justice and found I was skilled at the art of arguing (just ask my parents). My first career was in social justice community organizing, but I took some time off when my first child was born. I worked in other fields, but I found myself without a cohesive career. After a divorce, I suddenly had the time and mental capacity to go back to school. Law school was the clear choice: I knew it would provide me with career opportunities that offered both personal fulfillment and financial stability.

What drew me to Seton Hall Law was the weekend program. The flexibility to work and care for my children during the week while still receiving an exceptional legal education was a dream come true.

Can you share a standout experience from your internships or public interest work that has stayed with you?

During my 2L summer, I interned with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, working primarily in landlord-tenant law. It was my first time working full time in a legal job, and I was given a robust opportunity to see firsthand what practice is like. I maintained my own caseload—from initial interviews to representation in court. Because landlord-tenant cases are handled as summary proceedings, I was able to see a few cases through from inception to resolution in one summer. Getting the opportunity to negotiate with opposing counsel and represent clients before a judge as a law student were thrilling experiences that really built my confidence.

You’ve held a variety of roles—from community organizer to legal intern. How have these experiences shaped your perspective as a law student?

My community organizing career gave me a broad understanding of legislation and public policy, and most importantly, how they affect the lives of low-income Americans. It also made me skilled and comfortable interacting with people of all kinds, and it strengthened my commitment to social justice.

In addition, I’ve held an almost comically varied number of roles in my life—political campaign director, outdoor youth educator, farmers’ market manager, private caterer, actor for medical students—and I feel each one has given me firsthand knowledge of issues I may encounter while studying or practicing law.

I can’t say any of these roles necessarily prepared me for law school—the law is its own unique discipline for which I had a substantial learning curve—but they have grounded me with a view of the law as a living, breathing thing that affects people in real ways.

What excites you most about your upcoming judicial internship with Judge Davis?

I’m grateful Judge Davis agreed to take me on as an extern because I really wanted to get judicial experience in the geographical area where I plan to work. I’m excited to gain an in-depth view of court proceedings and the inner workings of chambers, and to work alongside Judge Davis and his clerks to sharpen my research and writing skills. The Judicial Externship course supports this in-court work with readings, meetings, and reflections, which I think will be really helpful in maximizing the experience.

What drew you to the Center for Social Justice’s Transactional Law Clinic, and what are you hoping to gain from this experience?

Although I enjoy litigation, there are aspects of transactional practice that appeal to me, and I want to get hands-on experience to see what the work is really like. I’m hoping to learn a lot about topics like tax, corporate governance, and contracts, and to experience interacting with clients in the transactional setting. Mostly, I’m excited to get real lawyering experience under the tutelage of Seton Hall professors.

How do you balance your law school workload with internships, personal commitments, and life outside of school?

I certainly balance a lot of things, but I’m also a proponent of knowing your limits. I’ve learned to discern the difference between everything I want to do and could do, and what I should do.

For me, that has meant working only part time and taking out student loans for some living expenses. This allows me to maintain balance in my school and family life, and to have a flexible schedule for internships and externships during the semester.

It also means not being able to take on everything I would like to do. There are so many opportunities at Seton Hall, and unfortunately, you probably cannot do them all! One of the benefits of being an older student is that I know myself well enough to make decisions that maintain the precarious balance of achievement and fulfillment in other areas of my life.

What advice would you share with other non-traditional or part-time students navigating law school?

Prioritize your overall well-being. Only you can decide what sacrifices are worth it. You aren’t helping anyone by burning out!

Also, think outside the box in terms of how to structure your life to make the most of the opportunities in law school. It’s definitely difficult to balance it all, but these years will go quickly. Make the most of it!

We hear you enjoy songwriting, making bone broth, and hiking in the Hudson Valley. Which of these hobbies is your favorite, and why?

I definitely can’t pursue all the hobbies I’d like to while in law school. Before law school, I was in an ongoing songwriting workshop in which we had to write a song a week! Unfortunately, this creative work has had to take a back burner, but I still occasionally sing with friends at local performances, and I belong to an improvisational singing group that meets biweekly.

It’s important for me to have a balanced life, and that means making time for activities that bring me joy and relaxation, like yoga, maintaining my garden, and spending time with good friends.

Looking ahead, how do you envision using your law degree to make an impact in your community or beyond?

I am still unsure what type of law I want to practice, but it’s important to me that my work always makes an impact in line with my values. I will likely pursue public interest law, or at the very least, do substantial pro bono work.

It’s been encouraging to talk with attorneys who have changed practice areas throughout their careers and to learn it’s quite common to have an unconventional path. I’m hoping my many placements and activities in law school will help reduce the guesswork when exploring the job market post-graduation and help me land in a fulfilling career.