by Erick R. Schmidt // Fall 2012

Favorite class and professor:

Contracts with Jasmine Abdel-khalik.

Best law school memory:

Taking my first final. I’m not the type to get nervous or butterflies, but the morning of, I thought I was going to get sick. But we celebrated at the end, and it was a huge accomplishment.

Worst fear:

Public speaking. I’m not afraid of bugs or spiders; that’s what six brothers will do to you. In my relationship with my fiancée, I’m the spider killer.

Why public speaking?

I don’t like a lot of attention on me. It makes me nervous. One on one, I’m a lot better.

What do you do for fun?

Hang at home with my family. That’s when I can really be myself.

Proudest moment:

I just found out I’m being published in the UMKC Law Review. All the hard work has paid off, but there’s a lot of work to be done.

Family nickname:

“Ba chang.” It means sassy, and it translates to ogre-ish, like a female ogre. It’s a Vietnamese name for a girl with more flair who stands up and isn’t submissive.

Favorite vacation spot:

I took the LSAT in Hawaii, on family vacation. I was on the beach studying.

Weren’t you distracted?

I think it helped. I felt relaxed.