AUWCL Ranks No. 1 Nationally among Law Schools with Record Number of PMF Finalists
to the federal government
For the third consecutive year, American University Washington College of Law has been the largest producer of finalists of Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program among law schools nationwide. This year, four students and two alumni will join the elite program, adding to the impressive number of the law school’s graduates in the U.S. government.
Designed to bring bright young professionals with advanced degrees into the government, the PMF program offers its finalists a two-year placement with one of the federal agencies, in addition to many on-the-job training and development opportunities.
Among this year’s finalists are Thomas Ahmadifar ‘14, Jeffrey Elkin ‘16, Maliha Khan, Mohammad Mesbahi ‘16, Lisa Shores ‘15, and Samuel Arkin ‘16. Arkin, a student in the JD/MA in international affairs program, believes that his diverse experiences in and out of law school made his application stand out.
Variety of Experiences
Between undergrad and law school, Arkin worked for a sustainable development nonprofit, volunteered for an international education organization, worked as a bartender, and traveled to roughly 26 different countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
During law school, among other things, he worked at NASA and the Public International Law & Policy Group, a global pro bono law firm founded by the Director of JD/MA Dual Degree Program Paul Williams. “I think that having a varied experience was advantageous, and I tried to highlight that narrative,” the student says.
A Career in Public Service
“I have long been involved in and passionate about public service and wanted to find a way to turn that into a career,” says Arkin, who will graduate with Exceptional Service Honors for the number of hours he completed in the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Program.
As a PMF fellow, Arkin is looking to find a placement where he can use his legal and policy experience. “I have mostly focused on international law and policy and would be happy to continue in this career path,” he says.
He believes that the JD/MA program has prepared him well for the job, affording him the academic and professional opportunities that were beneficial in the application process. “I have practical professional policy and legal experience that I can bring to any government position,” the student says.
Networking and Counseling
Looking back at the complicated, multi-level application process, Arkin encourages other applicants to seek advice from PMF alumni and professionals. Like Arkin, all of AUWCL finalists were individually counseled by the staff of the Office of Career and Professional Development, who created opportunities for students to network with the law school’s alumni, held training sessions and mock interviews.
"As a law school deeply rooted in the values of public service, we are committed to preparing our students for careers in the government sector,” says Traci Jenkins, Assistant Dean for the Office of Career & Professional Development. “Our status as the number one law school producer of PMF finalists for the third consecutive year reflects that commitment, and we are proud to provide individual counseling and preparation to students pursuing that avenue.”