Alexandra Hui, Class of 2007
Alexandra Hui joined the chambers of Judge Thomas W. Phillips on the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville after graduating from Vanderbilt Law School in 2007. Alex, who wanted to serve a clerkship before entering law practice, acknowledges that “I had great help from the Career Services office revising my resume and highlighting important experiences that would look good to employers. was impressed by the wide range of cities and employers represented in the on-campus interviewing process.”
Alex chose Vanderbilt after earning her undergraduate degree in economics at Hendrix College in part because of the culture. "I felt like Vanderbilt, with its warm and friendly atmosphere, coupled with the prestige and impressive credentials of the faculty, was the best place for me to be myself," she recalls. "At Vanderbilt, you have the opportunity to be outgoing and involved without the sense of cutthroat competition. At the same time, your peers and the faculty push you to work hard and be your very best. It really was the best of both worlds, and I’m very glad I made that choice.”
Alex, who served as executive editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review, also appreciated the challenging academic environment. “The faculty challenged us to think deeply about the theory and policies behind the various judicial doctrines that we studied," she says. "My professors pushed me not to accept what a court says or does at face value, but to question and analyze the law. I really enjoyed taking classes with Professor Nagareda, and I was also glad the law school had a strong international faculty. I took Professor Helfer’s international civil litigation course, and it was one of the more stimulating subject matters that I have encountered at law school.”
Alex emphasizes that involvement in extracurricular activities enriched her experience. In addition to her position on the Law Review staff, she was President of Phi Delta Phi and was active in the Women’s Law Student Association, Law & Business Society and the International Law Society. "At Vanderbilt, there is definitely competition, but it’s healthy and done with a level of good sportsmanship.," she says. "Everyone here is more than willing to help his peers. Likewise, the students have a great relationship with the faculty – we are mostly treated as equals. The sense of community at VULS is very important. Your peers, the faculty, and the administration are all very willing to go out on a limb and help you with your career and your life. Vanderbilt has truly achieved the perfect balance. We work hard, but we don’t lose sight of the big picture."
