Name: Amber Greenaway
Age: 23
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Expected graduation year: 2020
School of Law achievements and awards: King & Spalding 2019 Diversity Fellow; Jones Day 2018 1L LCLD Scholar; Phaedra C. Parks Scholarship, First Recipient; 2018 Talmadge Moot Court Competition, Winner and Best Oralist.
School of Law extracurricular activities: Georgia Law Review Editorial Board; Georgia Law Moot Court Team; Teaching Assistant, Prof. Camilla Watson, Criminal Law; Research Assistant, Associate Dean Mehrsa Baradaran; Dean's Ambassadors, Vice President of Membership; Sports & Entertainment Law Society, Vice President of Music & Entertainment.
Undergraduate university, degree(s), year(s): Augusta University / Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Legal Studies Concentration / 2017
1. What did you do before attending law school?
I started law school right after graduating from Augusta University. During the last year of undergrad I worked at a local law firm in Augusta called Fulcher Hagler LLP. They were really amazing and got me prepared for my 1L year.
2. Why did you choose to attend the UGA School of Law?
I love the collegial atmosphere at UGA Law. We all want to do well and be successful and we are all willing to help each other achieve that. The professors are really invested in your success and are always willing to help in any way that they can.
3. What inspired you to become a lawyer?
At a very young age, I realized that many minorities lack access to necessary legal resources and opportunities. I wanted to do anything I could to fix that. I wanted to learn the system so I could help others that look like me properly navigate it so that they can get the resources they need. So here I am!
4. Who is your favorite UGA School of Law professor? Why?
I have three professors that have been very instrumental in my time here at UGA Law. Associate Dean Mehrsa Baradaran represents everything I want to achieve. She is a successful woman of color who always stands up for what she believes in and never backs down! She's just a Rockstar! Professor Dan Coenen has a true gift for challenging students to think at a deeper, critical level. He doesn't accept mediocrity and has always taught us to "argue against yourself." Taking constitutional law with him has undoubtedly made me a better student and critical thinker. Professor Patrick Conner has been such a wonderful mentor to me. I can't count how many times I ran to his office freaking out about something and he always kept me grounded and focused on my goal. He never lets me make excuses and always pushes me to do the best I can.
5. Thus far, what is your most memorable experience from your time at the School of Law?
As part of an Excessive Force course, I had the privilege of doing an oral argument in front of sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It was a surreal experience. We also had an opportunity to chat with Justice Thomas and he was very kind and encouraging person. I really enjoyed the experience.
6. What are some activities/clubs/clinics you are involved in at the law school?
I am on the editorial board of Georgia Law Review. I am also on the Moot Court Team. I serve as the Vice President of Membership for the Dean's Ambassadors and Vice President of Music & Entertainment for the Sports & Entertainment Law Society. I am a member of the Black Law Students Association. I am a Teaching Assistant for Professor Camilla Watson for Criminal Law. I am also a Research Assistant for Associate Dean Mehrsa Baradaran.
7. What do you enjoy most about law school?
I really enjoy the intellectual conversations that I get to have with my friends. We are all from different backgrounds and walks of life so always great to exchange ideas and hear different views. I also enjoy that law school really challenges you and pushes you to be the best you can be. Law school is a marathon and it really tests you in every way. But there is no better feeling than taking your last exam and realizing that you did it even when you thought you couldn't!
8. What are your hobbies?
I train in mixed martial arts at a local gym here in Athens called SBG. I love going to the gym and learning a new takedown technique. It keeps me disciplined and focused. I also love binge-watching different TV shows. I love reality TV shows because they keep me entertained and it's a great way to decompress from learning complex legal topics.
9. If you could share an afternoon with anyone, with whom would you choose to spend it?
I would share it with Tupac Shakur. We come from similar backgrounds and I love his ideas and views about society.
10. Where is your favorite place to study? Why?
I like studying with my friends in the Law Library because of the floor-to-ceiling windows. I can study, take little chat breaks with my friends, and look outside and people watch! But when it's outlining season for exams I disappear to the cubbies on the top floor of the library so I'm not distracted! Those cubbies are great because they keep me focused but also give me the perfect amount of background noise because I can't study in places that are too quiet.
11. What are two things you always have to have with you when you study?
I always have to have my air pods to listen to music while I study and some chocolate to snack on as encouragement!
12. What do you do to handle the stress of law school?
I love hanging out with my best friends Sydney Hamer, Savannah Story, and Jaylen Mize. They keep me sane and any time I feel overwhelmed they are always there to cheer me up and keep me going! I also train in mixed martial arts to reduce my stress level.