“Classes can create good lawyers, but co-ops create great lawyers.
Erica Brangwynne ’24
“What excites me most about the law is that while it may seem like it’s set in stone, everyone interprets it differently,” says Erica Brangwynne. Through co-ops in both government and the private sector, Erica sharpened her analytical and creative skills, honing her knack for problem-solving. “At Northeastern, I learned so much from my peers, professors and supervisors because we all saw the law so differently. Now, when reviewing cases and policies, I know how to approach and answer questions with many possible outcomes in mind,” says Erica, who majored in political science and psychology as an undergraduate at George Washington University.
While in college, Erica spent two years as an intern with the United States Department of Justice in the Aviation, Space and Admiralty Litigation Section of the Civil Division. “Exposure to government and law solidified my desire to attend law school,” she notes. And Northeastern was Erica’s first choice. “It checked all the boxes: strong academics, community and co-op,” says Erica, who was selected by the US Department of Justice Honors Program for a postgraduate job with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Massachusetts Superior Court, Boston, Massachusetts
Under the supervision of the Honorable Michael D. Ricciuti, Erica conducted extensive research and assisted in drafting orders and opinions regarding business litigation matters.
Stopa & Associates, Foxboro, Massachusetts
In addition to her co-op with the Massachusetts Superior Court, Erica completed a short co-op with Stopa & Associates, where she worked in numerous areas of law, helped compile discovery, supported client intake and researched discrete legal issues.
- Business Law Society
- Intellectual Property Society
- Sports and Entertainment Law Society
United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC
At the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Erica researched and wrote about matters related to federal criminal law, regulatory policy and internal ethics.
As a research assistant with the law school’s NuLawLab, Erica supported the lab team with research for their book focused on dignity in the law.
Erica also served as a research assistant for Professor Wendy Parmet on issues related to the overlap of health policy, particularly abortion legislation, with policies related to COVID-19 vaccine legislation.
- Advanced Criminal Procedure
- Copyright Law
- Drug Law and Policy
- Entertainment Law
- Negotiation
- Transactional Drafting Seminar
Russell Reynolds Associates, Boston, Massachusetts
For her final co-op, Erica chose to branch out into the business world by putting her legal skills to use at a global executive search firm.
Law Clerk, United States Department of Justice Honors Program, Washington, DC