Meet Manuela Vergara, Class of 2022

Manuela Vergara (headshot)

Manuela is a 1L originally from Bogota, Colombia. Learn how the 1L Your Way options and her classes helped her consider which areas of law she’s most interested in pursuing. She also shares opportunities like the Institute for the Future of Law Practice program and mentoring connections that have helped her navigate her path as a law student and legal professional.

Student Profile

  • Class year: 2022
  • Division: Full-Time Day
  • Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
  • Academic background: B.S. in Political Science and International Studies from Missouri Southern State University
  • LinkedIn

What stood out about Chicago-Kent?

I really liked having the option to do the 1L Your Way Program that allows students to have clinical experience during their first year, which is very convenient for students who are uncertain about their career path. I also liked the school’s location. It is super close to downtown Chicago and Union Station, making it convenient for students who live in the suburbs.

Do you have a favorite professor or class at Chicago-Kent?

I enjoyed Professor Mickie A. Piatt’s Torts law class. I came into law school without knowing what type of law I wanted to practice, but Professor Piatt has definitely helped me find an interest in tort law, making me consider becoming a personal injury lawyer.

What programs or opportunities have surprised you at Chicag0-Kent?

The Institute for the Future of Law Practice has probably been the program that has surprised me the most. It is really interesting to see the many opportunities it allows you to have by interning in big companies, such as Walmart, Baker McKenzie, DHL, and many others.

I have also enjoyed the mentorship programs that Chicago-Kent and its organizations offer. Upon starting school, I was paired with a 2L mentor who gave me tips on how to navigate law school and make the most out of it.

Additionally, organizations such as the Society of Women in Law and Hispanic Latino Law Student Association have mentorship programs that pair students with attorneys working across various industries. Such mentorship programs allow students to make connections and further understand the different paths a law career may take them.

Student Involvement

Beyond Law School: Get to Know Manuela

What neighborhood do you live in? What do you like about it? 

I live in Lakeview East and I like the vibrant environment. It is a relatively young neighborhood, offering a lot of activities, from exploring restaurants to attending live shows and comedy clubs. It usually takes me about forty minutes to get to Chicago-Kent, which is great because I get to take off my mind from school.

What is your favorite way to enjoy Chicago?

I try to go to a different restaurant/bar every time I go out so that I get to explore the multiple things the city has to offer. Around the neighborhood I live in, Lakeview, I like to go to Intelligentsia Coffee for a study session. I also enjoy restaurants like Mortar and Pestle in Lakeview. During the summer, I like going to festivals in different neighborhoods, such as the Arts Festival, Colombian Fest, and the Chicago Food Festivals.

What do you do to relax outside of school?

I like going for runs along the Lake Michigan Trail and enjoy working out at Jaguar Fitness, which is a close-by gym that provides fun and challenging workouts. I also like to go to live shows and comedy clubs like The Laugh Factory. In the summer, I like walking along the RiverWalk and sometimes sitting to enjoy a glass of wine.

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