Devon Largio, Class of 2007
Undergraduate: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Political Science)
Hometown: Gillespie, Illinois
Employment: Associate, Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago
Devon Largio was a sophomore majoring in political science at the University of Illinois when the attacks of September 11, 2001, occurred. Two years later, she chose to use her senior honors thesis to explore a question that piqued her curiosity during the year following the attacks: the transition from the Bush administration's initial response, a "war on terror" focused on military efforts in Afghanistan and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, to war in Iraq.
When Devon's thesis was published, her results ignited an avalanche of interview requests from reporters for national, foreign and local media. In September 2004, she and her thesis were one of the correct answers in a New Yorker presidential election trivia quiz.
Devon chose Vanderbilt Law School because she was seeking the same sort of mentoring relationships she'd had during college. "The faculty here really cares about the students and wants the students to learn and do well in law and in life," she says. "Professors challenge students to think beyond the case at hand, but not without ensuring that they understand the case at hand first, which I personally think is important."
"Vanderbilt not only taught me how to read and understand the law, but also to think like a lawyer," she adds. "More than that, I've had the pleasure of interacting with future colleagues both personally and professionally -- and those relationships and experiences will carry me as far as my education will.”
Devon joined Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago as an associate after her graduation in 2007, having served as a summer associate with the firm during 2006. “I got my job through OCI (on-campus interviews), so I am grateful for that system," she says. "I knew that I wanted to go to Chicago, and I had no problems finding opportunities there. Plus, Career Services worked with me on my resume and cover letters to make me the best candidate that I could be.”
After her 1L summer, Devon worked in the office of the Illinois Attorney General and was an intern with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in Waukegan, Illinois. She was Articles Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review during her 3L year.
“We’re a small community, laid back and social but also intellectually stimulating," she says. "There are lots of people with lots of opinions, so there are lots of great conversations. And students are always willing to work together and help each other out. In fact, students here seem genuinely interested in the success of their classmates.”
