Maria Luevano ‘21
Interviewed by Phil Tonseth ‘22
Hi Maria, welcome to the Hot Bench! Let’s introduce our readers to the wonderful person you are. Why study the law, and why specifically at UVA?
I had always considered law school, but honestly hadn’t thought seriously about it until after the 2016 election. I think I started studying for the LSAT that December. I realized how much more I could accomplish with a law degree, even though I didn’t know at the time what that would look like exactly. I chose UVA because I wanted to be near D.C. and I fell in love with the school during Admitted Students Weekend. I felt instantly at home here and I knew it was where I wanted to spend the next three years.
You’ve been involved in so many clubs and organizations while here, do you have any favorites or ones that have drastically changed your experience?
Co-chairing Admitted Students Open House and being a Peer Advisor (shoutout to Section D) are definitely up there for me! Clearly, I love giving advice, solicited and unsolicited, so I found them both to be super rewarding experiences. I’ve also loved being a part of the Latin American Law Organization (LALO). It’s a small group with a lot of passion.I really enjoyed being on the Executive Board last year and working to help grow our presence on campus.
As half of one of the coolest “power couples” in the school (no credit to Sam Pickett ’21), how have you managed your relationship with being so active and engaged in the school?
Sam and I have a lot of similar interests, so it’s been easy to be involved in things together! It also definitely helps that we’re both pretty extroverted, which means that it’s never that hard to convince the other person to stop by an event, or Bar Review, “just for a few minutes.” We also really try to be understanding and supportive when the other one has a lot going on (a/k/a me this semester—thank you Sam!!).
Co-chairing the SBA Graduation Committee, do you have any fun gossip or news you can share for this year’s ceremony? Are there plans to help 3Ls make up for the loss of traditional activities with COVID-19?
While it has been disappointing that we couldn’t throw the traditional graduation activities for 3L’s this semester, my co-chair, Savanna Williams ’21, and I remain hopeful about the possibilities for next semester! We are incredibly excited to have Supreme Court of Virginia Justice Cleo Powell ’82 as our commencement speaker, and we look forward to revealing more details about the ceremony over the next few months. As far as fun gossip, I now know the head size of every person in the 3L class. Sadly, no, I won’t be naming names as to who has the biggest head (but it rhymes with squilliam baloney).
If you saw ‘you’ as a first day 1L in the mirror, do you think you’d recognize yourself?
Well my hair was shorter and I didn’t have the crushing weight of 2.5 years of law school on my shoulders, but yes I think I would recognize myself!
Getting really personal now, would you do this all over again?
This survey? Probably not. Sorry Phil, it’s a lot of pressure!!
Time to get feisty.
What are your 7 Wonders of the Law School:
1. The Pink Cow painting
2. The law library’s annual Christmas decorations
3. The law library’s Grilled Cheese Night
4. Mandy
5. The trees out in front of the Law School during the month of October
6. The water bottle filler next to MyLab, which has the coldest water in the Law School
7. The Law Weekly Office on Monday nights starting at 5:30 p.m.
Favorite class you’ve taken?
Trial Advocacy with Professor Hudson. Or Law of the Police with Professor Harmon . . . or any class with Professor Gilbert . . . I can’t choose.
Would you rather vacation in a treehouse or igloo?
Igloo. No bugs and there’s the potential for a polar bear sighting.
Best date spot in C-ville?
C&O Restaurant. Although Sam and I recently got takeout margaritas from Plaza Azteca and had a great evening on the couch watching Schitt’s Creek, proving romance is still possible during social isolation!!
If you could retire today, what would you do with your free time?
Travel and perfect every TikTok dance.
Pineapple on pizza, are you a fan?
Absolutely. I’ve never ordered it personally, but if it’s there I’ll eat it.
Favorite memory of the Law School?
I’ve had many, but Dandelion my 1L year was truly unforgettable.
What is your life’s theme song?
I can’t think of one exactly, but if there’s a song out there about getting 323 people to read and respond to your emails I would dedicate it to the 3L class (love you all!!!)
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ml8gt@virginia.edu