Great Graduate: Nasim Warren

Photo courtesy of Nasim Warren

Through discipline, leadership and a commitment to balance, Nasim Warren built a law school experience grounded as much in joy and community as in academic success.

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Some law students survive on caffeine and chaos. Nasim Warren survived on Outlook calendars, digital Post-its, joy, cupcakes and the gym.

Warren is a friendly face at Seton Hall School of Law. If you have ever walked into the Rodino Library on an early morning, you probably saw her at the desk, ready to serve with a warm smile. Or maybe you saw her engaged in an intense game of chess. Warren balanced her schedule with service as a member of the Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board and as the vice president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). But no matter where you found Warren, whether in the library, in the gym, or in the kitchen baking, she always has a laugh and a smile ready for you.

Early on Warren figured out the key to her success in law school: being organized. For her, it wasn’t necessarily about control, but rather it was about giving herself the freedom to relax and enjoy her hobbies.

Take a typical Tuesday from her last semester. Warren sticks to her go-to breakfast: oatmeal with flaxseed and fruit. After working at the library, she would attend class, with small breaks after a quick game or meeting for an organization. After finishing her reading for the next class, Warren also made time to lift weights at the gym and do cardio. By 7 p.m., you’d find her in her bed, playing sudoku or mahjong, and relaxing her mind for the next day ahead. Warren credits her success throughout law school based on this disciplined schedule and her dedication to treating her own rest and joy as seriously as her courses.

That same joy showed up in her leadership. When she looked back on her time as part of BLSA leadership, she didn’t talk about all of the wonderful things she accomplished or the numbers. Instead, she talked about a time that gave her true joy. “One of the most fun things I did was the cupcake fundraiser with Shanelle and Rosa,” she said. “It was really fun to bake with my friends and was a great way to fundraise for our organization.” Warren loves to bake. And getting to mix law school with a hobby, and with people she genuinely liked, was the kind of joy that reminded her why she showed up everyday with a smile.

None of this came axiomatically. Warren came to law school straight from undergrad, and the first week of the law school hit her hard. “The learning curve was intense.” Like many students, Warren admits she was rethinking whether or not she wanted to go through with law school. But she kept going! She looked at the time she already invested into her future and made the conscious choice to try her best.

Of course, she had help along the way. Her mentor, Jamel Gross-Cassel, has supported her since the summer after her first year of law school. "He’s never afraid to tell me when I'm wrong,” said Warren. "He always offers a different perspective. Jamel definitely grounds me." Warren encourages other students to surround themselves with people invested in helping them grow in every aspect of their lives.

And then there’s her dad. When Warren reflected on who sacrificed to help her get here, her answer came immediately and from the heart. “I want to thank my dad for supporting me throughout my law school journey. He has always been there to love, support and care for me.” Her dad always wished he could have pursued an education the way she has; Warren carries that with her as a reason to be grateful for her law school experience and success.

This August, Warren will go on to clerk for the Civil Division in Morris County. “I hope to learn the ins and outs of the litigation practice,” which aligns with her desire to practice in commercial litigation.

For all—not just students—who are reading this, Warren leaves us with an important lesson: make time for yourself. “Yes, it’s important to stay diligent and motivated with your studies, but you need to give yourself room to breathe.” Some days she was too tired to drag herself to the gym, and she’d beat herself up over it, but then she learned that resting is productive in a different way. “Sometimes doing something you love—like reading, baking or running—is more productive than studying. Practicing good habits will help stave off a lot of the anxiety and stress that can weigh on your mind.”

Nasim Warren’s gentle foundation of organization, joy and familial support will guide her across the commencement stage and into a long-lasting legal career full of smiles—and hopefully more cupcakes.

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Shanelle Tate is a rising 3L at Seton Hall Law and incoming co-president of the Black Law Students Association. She also serves as a senior editor of the Journal of Legislation and Public Policy and is a member of the Interscholastic Moot Court Board. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, cooking and highlighting outstanding graduating students.