How does a degree in English from Lebanon Valley College prepare you for success in law school? Claire Fitzgibbons ’20 shares answers to that question from first-hand experience.

Fitzgibbons, who is finishing her final year at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, has accepted a position with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP that will begin when she graduates this spring.

“The English Department and its amazing professors taught me critical thinking, writing, and, most importantly, to think creatively,” said Fitzgibbons. “Dr. [Robert] Machado, in particular, always encouraged me to think of topics through different lenses and angles, and I think that the mental creativity and flexibility he taught me is now helping me think through all the different ways deals can be construed and documents can be written.”

Fitzgibbons cites an independent study with Dr. Machado as her most impactful moment at LVC. She wrote about sneakers and feminism and learned that any passion can be turned into an academic and insightful experience.

“When I finished my first year of law school and began applying to law firms, the number one question I got was about the paper and the experience writing it. I think I received some offers in part because of the paper: it showed that I can think outside the box and point out interesting or useful things that might not be noticed by others,” she said.

Fitzgibbons also appreciated the push by Dr. Holly Wendt and Dr. Gary Grieve-Carlson to take her writing to new levels and actually think about the things she wanted to work on, instead of just responding to assignments.

“Basically, I had to think creatively about the papers I was working on and be an active learner, not just a passive learner,” said Fitzgibbons. “Law school is all about active learning and writing—without these skill sets, it’s hard to succeed.”

Before starting her final year of law school, Fitzgibbons spent 10 weeks at her new firm and gained exposure to various types of law. Her first two weeks focused on doing diligence for a $3 billion acquisition, while her last two included an asylum application for an Afghan man fleeing the Taliban.

“These kinds of projects taught me just how broad the law is and how flexible it is in allowing you to pursue your passions,” she said. “From social justice to business, law covers it all. I like that lawyers can shape the world in which we live.”