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Aaron was born in Detroit, MI and raised in Farmington, MI. He grew up with his mother, father and younger sister, Amanda. Aaron explained, "My sister recently moved to Luxembourg for a year- long job assignment and I am excited to visit her this summer." He also discussed how his parents' dog, Bailey, was trained as a leader dog and is now part of the family. Aaron graduated with a dual major in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan in May 2010. While studying at the University of Michigan, he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity and he received the Phi Gamma Delta Academic Achievement Award. Aaron also earned a Michigan Merit Scholarship and Regents Merit Scholarship.
Before Aaron attended University of Illinois College of Law, he spent one year at Case Western University School of Law. He received the Hamo Scholar award in Fall 2011, which recognizes law students who are in the top ten percent of their class. Aaron made the Dean's list in 2012 and is proud to be a 711-licensed student attorney.
From 2010 to 2011, Aaron was involved in the Rights, Responsibilities and Realities Volunteer Mentorship Program. Every Friday, he would accompany an attorney to a high school, where they would teach students about individual rights and search and seizures. Aaron said he basically taught constitutional rights to high school students.
During the summer of 2011, Aaron worked an externship with Judge Mary Trew, in the Family Law Division of the Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago. He drafted bench memos for the Judge on civil procedure, parentage, child-support, attorney's fees, custody arrangements and various other issues. Aaron's greatest moment from this position was when the Judge told him she had copied his memo in order to write her opinion for a case.
In 2011, the law student participated in the Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court internal competition. Approximately forty students took part in the competition and were graded on their briefs as well as their oral arguments. Aaron is currently a member of the Journal of Law, Technology and Policy (2012-2013) at University of Illinois College of Law. He is one of a several students who reviews, edits and cites for the fall and spring issues.
During the summer of 2012, Aaron served for the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing (LCBH). He represented individuals in Chicago that were being evicted. Aaron earned an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 license in order to represent clients in court and file motions on their behalf. His employer allowed him to handle his own case load and take on all the litigation responsibilities of a full staff attorney. Aaron drafted and argued motions for summary judgment, emergency injunctive relief, sanctions, as well as basic pleadings. As he grew more comfortable with navigating the stages of litigation, he became more effective at negotiating favorable settlements for his clients. Aaron would routinely negotiate settlements with the landlords that would give his client several additional months before vacating to find a new apartment and a waiver of the back-pay that they owed. He was able to directly impact the lives of his clients and was able to protect them against the abuses of opportunistic landlords. He stated, "It was the first time I was thrown into a position and could act as an attorney."
Since 2012, Aaron has been involved with the Community Preservation Clinic. He works with individuals that have been foreclosed upon in Illinois and represent them through the mediation process to potentially modify their loan with the mortgage lender. Aaron also handles short sales and deeds in lieu of foreclosure for clients that cannot qualify for a HAMP loan modification. He tries to prevent the bank from seeking deficiency judgments in these cases. Aaron explained that the clinic is managed through the University and that a law professor oversees eight students who participate in the program.
When the University of Michigan alumnus isn't studying, he enjoys golfing, jogging, skiing and working out. Aaron also enjoys woodworking. He said, "My favorite piece of furniture is a bar that I built for my apartment. My grandfather taught me this skill at a young age and I have continued to develop it over time." Aaron reads anything written by John Grisham. He loves to eat a tasty Chicago-style deep-dish pizza from Uno Chicago Grill.
Aaron's Academic Law Career and Future Aspirations
Why did Aaron go into the law? "I believe that in order to succeed one must know the rules. I consider the law to be 'the rules' in many respects. I think that a legal education will serve as an unparalleled platform that can launch a career in several areas. I also have been drawn to the legal profession because of the advisory role and the ability to meaningfully help others. I also feel that there are many opportunities for young attorneys with an entrepreneurial spirit."
What are the areas of the law Aaron hopes to practice? He replied:
"I try not to limit myself, but I realize that it is necessary to have a narrow approach in the current job market. I enjoyed the limited experience I had last summer litigating. I have had success in, and am interested in, several areas of the law that touch on business: Bankruptcy, Secured Transactions, Banking Law, Antitrust, Corporate Tax, & Real Estate Finance.Aaron shared his aims and aspirations. "I want to improve access to the legal system in a broad sense. I believe that lawyers are very concerned with high salaries, but the protectionism of the profession creates barriers to some from accessing justice. I strongly believe that the economics of the legal profession can be changed in innovative ways in order to more efficiently deliver legal services to more people, especially those with limited resources."
I don't expect to find my dream job in the first few years, but it may help to expand on my future aspirations. I have been studying the 2008 recession and its fallout for the past few years, both academically and on my own time. I have developed my own theory about these financial events and I feel that there is a niche in the law for lawyers to fight to hold institutions accountable for their actions, specifically in banking and housing. While I am not sure yet exactly how this would translate into a career, I do want to have an impact in this way. It could involve filing class actions, working to reform current laws, establishing public interest legal centers, or something else."
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When asked about his key accomplishments, Aaron claimed, "Attending Law School, successfully transferring from Case Western University to the University of Illinois, directly litigating on behalf of underprivileged individuals at LCBH this past summer and graduating with a dual degree from the University of Michigan."
Aaron discussed his key strengths and skills that he would like to use to advance his career goals. "I am entrepreneurial and always seek to find new efficiencies in a process. I stay organized and manage time well. I also enjoy a challenge and do not shy away from new and uncomfortable situations."
As for his weakness, Aaron noted, "I can be adverse to taking the advice of others. I appear close-minded and stubborn in some situations and I tend to get stressed about future concerns and forgot to enjoy the present."
Since law school can be hectic at times, Aaron pointed out how he relieves stress. "Making sure I have time for myself to eat well, sleep, and work out. Staying Organized, time management and Golf and cooking." When asked if golf and cooking really relieves stress, Aaron said cooking food makes him less stressed and playing golf gets his mind off things.
Many readers are probably wondering how Aaron handles new assignments. The third year law student shared his process: "I first make sure I understand exactly the goals and the purpose. I handwrite a brainstorm and an outline. Regardless of substance, I begin putting pen to paper, and let the ideas grow from there. I will always take a step back when I am finished (at least a day if possible) and come back for a fresh look to revise."
Where does Aaron derive his confidence? "I believe in my abilities and skills. I also realize that someone will always be smarter, more qualified, and more experience, but this does not mean that I cannot have my own success. I stopped fearing failure and realized that it is a necessary step towards self-improvement."
Three Wishes to Live By, Dealing with Fear, Major Obstacles and Volunteer Experience
If Aaron had three wishes, he would wish for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on others, success and happiness for the people that he is closest to and that everyone is granted an equal opportunity to succeed.
In regards to handling fear, Aaron stated, "A positive attitude and the reassurance that I have people around me that will help me through bad situations."
Has Aaron faced any obstacles in his life? He stated:
"Finances, balancing competing obligations, making sure I do not neglect my true priorities.Aaron discussed his volunteer experience. He claimed:
After my first year at the University of Michigan I was denied admission to the Ross Business School. Despite achieving a 3.70 GPA at the time, I was not admitted for reasons unknown to me. Although I knew I wanted to attend law school regardless, I went to the University of Michigan with the presumption that I would study Business in undergrad. It was a severe emotional blow at the time and caused me to re-plan the rest of my college degree. Eventually, I graduated with a degree in Economics and Political Science, and have continued to study business and stay current with business issues. This experience has taught me more about preparation, planning, and creating my own path. I believe that once someone truly learns disappointment and failure; there is less reason to fear it, and only a stronger desire to bounce back from it."
"From 2010 to 2011, I was involved in the Rights, Responsibilities and Realities, Program Mentor - I tutored high school students in inner-city Cleveland schools about their rights from a constitutional law perspective. The program was also designed to encourage underprivileged youth to consider a career in the law.Legal Role Models, Personal Philosophy, People You Want to Surround Yourself With, Most Influential Traveling Experience and Favorite Quote
In high school and in college, I participated in Meals on Wheels. I prepared and delivered meals to homebound citizens on holidays and weekends.
From 2006 to 2010, I annually volunteered for the Phi Gamma Delta Rivalry Run - I participated in door-to-door, bucketing, and other fundraising techniques. I also participated in the 183-mile relay race between Columbus, OH and Ann Arbor, MI before the rivalry Michigan-Ohio State football game. I was involved during all 4 years of my undergrad. The efforts from my fraternity over the course of 4 years raised well over $250,000 for the American Cancer Society.
In 2007, I took part in Move-In Makers - I helped incoming freshmen move into the dorms at the University of Michigan.
From 2005 to 2006, I was involved in the North Farmington Honors Society - High School volunteer organization where I volunteered in various community projects. (Raking leaves for senior citizens, fundraiser bake sales, etc.)
While I was in high school, I was a member of the St. Fabian Youth Group. I participated in the Appalachia Volunteer Trip - I went on a week-long trip to West Virginia with my youth group to help repair damaged or dilapidated homes for low-income families."
Aaron admires any public interest lawyer. "I feel that they truly are the heroes of the legal system." The third year law student also respects John Grisham. Aaron stated, "It takes courage to leave the profession and try something unique. He has found success in the legal field, while departing from the traditional role as a lawyer, and I commend him for that. There is a traditional way of thinking within law school (and probably within law firms as well) that tries to force students and young attorneys into a rigid structure, which I do not agree with."
What is Aaron's personal philosophy? "I can never be the best at everything, but rather I need to leverage my true competitive advantages. I would rather live with failure than regret."
The future attorney talked about what he believes holds more truth in light of his personal philosophy. Was it fate or choice? "Choice. I think fate plays a role in everything, but I ultimately believe that we create our own opportunities."
What kind of situations and people is Aaron attracted to? What kind of situations and people does the law student avoid? "I am attracted to optimistic people that do not set limits upon their own potential, situations where I can challenge myself, situations that are outside of my comfort zone and situations where I will have to push my own potential." As for situations and people to avoid, Aaron said, "Negative people and situations where I will have to act contrary to my integrity and values."
Aaron talked about his most influential traveling experience. "I went to Ireland, during college. I appreciated the architecture, the beautiful country, and most importantly the great philosophy of the Irish people." He added, "It was a great time. I have Irish ancestry, so it was good to go back and see the country."
Aaron's favorite quote is by Calvin Coolidge: "Nothing in the World can take the place of persistence…" He explained that he learned about the quote in college and it immediately left an impression on him. Aaron said, "The more I learn, the more I know to be persistent, which is a good way to find success."
Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator
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