Dana, it is my honor to be interviewing you for your first issue as Editor in Chief (“EIC”) Emeritus. Let me remind you, you no longer have any editorial immunity, and the Court of Petty Appeals (“COPA”) is always looking for fresh defendants. Now, let’s get down to business. Where are you from and why did you come to UVA Law?
I’m from Jupiter, Florida. I lived in South Florida pretty much my whole life before law school, including for undergrad (go Gators). I worked in publishing for a few years and hit a professional ceiling, where my choices were to really double down on publishing or make a pivot into something else. As much as I loved publishing, it’s an industry with pretty low salary caps. Transactional work is a lot of the same skill set with a much better compensation scale, and a law degree really gives you a lot of freedom in the career choices you can make.
You’ve been part of the Virginia Law Weekly since you were a 1L. When did you start plotting your coup d’état thinking about running for EIC?
Oh, from day one. When I told [’20-’21 Law Weekly EIC] Christina I had InDesign experience, the gleam in her eye told me I was going to be more involved, whether I wanted to be or not (lol). I really enjoyed being Production Editor on the ’21-’22 editorial board, and I used that time to mine the previous EIC for all the insider tips he had on the job. I have zero desire to litigate or become a judge, so I had to at least seize the opportunity to be Chief Justice of the Court of Petty Appeals.
Each EIC brings their own personality, style, and priorities to their reign atop the Law Weekly. You were definitely known for your efficiency. What would you say was your biggest priority or the impact you are most proud of?
Efficiency is a legacy I can be happy with! My biggest priority was to recruit a larger editor pool to replace the big group of 3Ls leaving this year. Other org leaders know the pressure of keeping the pipeline flowing and how far-reaching the impact of a bad recruiting year is. I keep saying it, but only because it’s true: The Law Weekly needs a wide variety of voices to really capture the Law School experience. A small, tight-knit group is a lot of fun to work with, but a lot of different contributors ultimately makes the paper better.
Of the many articles you wrote over the last three years, I have two favorites. The first is your very first COPA majority, Loiterers v. The Powers that Be, 73 U.Va. 14 (2021), and the second was not an article at all, but an heroic effort to fill unexpected blank space in the October 19, 2022 edition, titled “The End of the Line.” What is your favorite article that you’ve written?
That COPA is a real throwback! It was written passionately, directly from the heart of someone who basically lived in Brown 121 during 1L fall. That was one of the roughest springs of my life, and losing out on that little bit of community was a disproportionately tough blow to weather.
My favorite piece has to be “Ode to Tiny Door,” which (unlike that COPA, which took me days and days) I wrote all in one shot in probably fifteen minutes while in a total fugue state. Those thoughts had been bouncing around my head for months by the time I was ready to put them to paper and send them out into the world.
A close runner up would be a financial advice article I wrote with the help of Dean Hulvey. She was so welcoming of me going and pestering her with questions. Anyone who is unsure about the massive amounts of money they will be making after law school, or the massive amounts of debt they are in, should definitely talk with the Office of Financial Aid.
The last year has had some notable ups and downs, and you had a unique perspective as EIC of the most powerful publication at UVA Law. What was the most surprising aspect of your time as EIC?
The most surprising thing to me, over and over again, was that people read the paper. There is a total dissociation in my head between writing and designing and printing and putting the paper out, and the fact that people will then read (and enjoy!) this thing we have created. Seeing students with copies of the paper in the hallway, receiving emails from former EICs about current editions, Student Affairs playing along with COPA orders, hearing about professors angling to get into the quotes box—it never fails to make me really happy.
You wrote several articles advising students on how to live their best lives, including how to fully embrace home-cooking, how to be financially responsible with your summer associate money, and when it is time in November to “get it together.” Are you an eldest sibling, or are you just a natural purveyor of wisdom?
I’m a younger sister; I’m just really bossy. The paper gave me a platform to force my worldview onto a wider group of people, which I definitely took full advantage of.
As you know, we need some new editors to replace the many incredible graduating 3Ls. What is your pitch for law students to join the Law Weekly?
It’s fun! It’s a Law School tradition! It’s good for your mental health! It’s better for your resume than any journal!
Lightning Round!
Any shout outs?
Weekend Thursdays, of course.
Zodiac sign?
Capricorn, predictably.
How do you take your coffee?
Milk, no sugar.
Favorite study spot?
At home with my two cats curled up nearby.
Post-grad plans?
Big Law in Houston and becoming an Astros fan.
Dream job? Other than EIC, of course.
Working for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would be really interesting, but if I were doing something outside the law, I would be a chef.
How have your free Mondays been so far?
I haven’t had one by the time of this writing, but I am looking forward to being better able to pregame The Bachelor finale.
Any (much-needed) advice for the incoming EIC?
I hear he’s a pretty cool guy with a good head on his shoulders, so I’m sure he’ll be fine. The Law Weekly is a dictatorship, but you have an editorial board for a reason—don’t hesitate to lean on them when answering the big questions that will come your way (like who will pick up the pizzas on Monday).
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Interviewed by Nikolai Morse '24