Pathways: Ira Gant ’10

"At the Department of Justice, I was doing more than just document review and drafting of memoranda. I worked on cutting-edge questions of constitutional law and theories over how best to protect the civil rights of those in institutions. And even though I was just in my second year, I spent a week across the country with just one attorney, helping inspect a state's sole juvenile prison and determining its compliance with the law." — Ira Gant ’10

“I came to Northeastern for two reasons: the institutional commitment to public interest law matched my own, and, with the co-op program, I knew I would quickly be back to work learning in the field — where I learn best. In four co-ops I have explored my interests in criminal law and civil rights litigation, and worked on diverse areas of law in between. Right after my first year of law school I worked for the Arizona Supreme Court; notably, I worked on a case where a group of citizens challenged a state program as violating the separation of church and state.

“I have been very active in the school's International Law Society — even working as a student editor and article writer for the International Law Students Association's publication. I had every intention of doing at least one co-op with a tribunal, such as the International Criminal Court, or the court in Cambodia. However, as I researched careers and post-graduate jobs in international fora, I realized it would serve me better to start by getting a concrete foundation in the practice of law and adjudication in domestic courts. But I remain very interested in the legitimacy and role of international courts, and in the establishment of the rule of law. In my third year I even took an intense course that studied the history and practical development of international criminal law. After a few years of practice, I hope to intern or work before a tribunal.

“For now, I am committed to working in poverty law, specifically indigent criminal defense or civil legal services. It is my belief and experience that those often overlooked or put under the weight of the thumb of the system, need advocates to guide them and help ensure their rights and needs are met. Only by protecting their rights and access to the system, can everyone's rights and access be ensured.”

Ira’s Pathway