Abby Bourgeois: Coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) at the University of Florida Levin College of Law

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published April 09, 2007

Heather Jung

<<"Tax time is a particularly stressful time for many people," Bourgeois said. "VITA helps relieve that stress, providing a free resource for taxpayers who are confused by the process or can't afford a paid tax preparer."

According to Bourgeois, her favorite class thus far has been the two-part Bankruptcy course, which gave her the chance to meet with Bankruptcy Judges and Practitioners throughout Florida.

"The course focused on real world application and each session required the class to read a set of facts and discuss the issues/resolution with the visiting lecturer. Learning from such experienced and respected judges and practitioners was an irreplaceable experience," Bourgeois said.

<<As an undergraduate, Bourgeois graduated from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business with a degree in Finance in 2004. She says that she enjoys the study of law because she has always "been curious about the way things work."

"Law school provides an inside view of what happens behind the scenes, beyond what is available in newspaper articles or simple observation," she said.

<<During her undergraduate studies, she received her real estate license and opened her own business, Abbco Realty, Inc. After graduating from law school, she plans to join the Phelps Dunbar firm in their Transactional Real Estate and Business group in Tampa, where she recently purchased a house. Bourgeois interned as a clerk for the firm, an experience she feels was invaluable because it gave her experience in a variety of practical areas.

According to Bourgeois, her favorite part of law school has been the relationships she has formed with her peers. She considers her peers to be the ones who have influenced her the most during her time at law school.

"The people I met in law school have such diverse interests and backgrounds. Learning from them has been the most rewarding and influential part of law school," Bourgeois said.

Q.	What do you do for fun?
A.	Camping, boating, and anything outdoors
Q.	What CD is in your CD player right now?
A.	A mix CD
Q.	What is the last magazine you read?
A.	Time
Q.	What is your favorite TV show?
A.	Anything on the Food Network!
Q.	Who is your role model?
A.	My parents

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