This essay responds to the following prompt: The Admissions Committee makes every effort to understand who you are as an individual and potential Harvard Law School student and graduate. Please share how your experiences, background, and/or interests have shaped you and will shape your engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.

It has, tragically, become cliché to comment on our country’s political divisions. However, one recent development is particularly concerning to me: the politicization of the judicial system. Whether merited or not, lawyers are today often regarded as political operatives, and judicial rulings seen as commitments to a political party, rather than to the Constitution. Given rising polarization and cynicism, it is imperative that law students pledge themselves to the founding values of our country, over which neither party has a monopoly. As a result of living in environments that span the political spectrum and teaching philosophy for two years, I have gained a respect for the American values at the heart of our legal system, and I believe my perspective will enhance classroom dialogue, community service and my career.

As a Midwesterner who has spent significant time on both coasts, I understand how our founding values can bridge partisan divides. I saw this firsthand at protests against the Keystone XL pipeline led by Bold Nebraska. The lineup at these protests included not only speakers from the expected environmental groups, but also traditionally conservative ranchers and farmers. They joined the coalition after losing their land to eminent domain on behalf of Keystone XL, and the coalition campaigned against eminent domain on the premise that the pipeline was not in “the public good,” despite projected jobs and tax revenue. When civic goals conflict, such as promoting economic prosperity, defending property rights and protecting the environment, lawyers must look beyond partisan biases. They must ask relevant questions, such as whether “the public good” includes future generations’ interests, and rely on the Constitution and legal precedent for answers. Only by using clear-headed reasoning, and rejecting stubborn political tribalism, can these kinds of diverse alliances arise to fight for justice.

Honest commitment to the rule of law not only unites otherwise diverse groups, but it can also foster understanding for opposing viewpoints. Through my professional experience in education, I have learned the importance of grounding politically fraught discussions in empathy. Two years ago, when I was asked to teach a unit on the history and ethics of abortion, I was understandably nervous. Leading high school girls in a discussion on abortion was sure to be fraught, particularly in a Catholic school with a mostly progressive student body. So, I opened the unit by exploring why this issue is uniquely divisive in politics. The right to bodily autonomy and the right to life are two of the most important, intimate human rights. However, those same rights seem diametrically opposed to one another when a person faces the choice of abortion. Therefore, abortion is one of the most dramatic moral dilemmas a person can face and a voter can weigh. My goal for the unit was for my students to better understand why someone might hold a view opposed to their own, even if they did not change their own opinion on the topic; through class discussion, my own understanding of the issue deepened.

All lawyers must learn to understand opposing viewpoints, if only for the sake of crafting better legal arguments. For public interest lawyers, this becomes especially crucial, because well-intentioned legal professionals can put their personal moral beliefs ahead of the rule of law and jeopardize their legal integrity.

Lawyers and judges must understand and respect different viewpoints in our pluralistic, hyperpartisan world. At a time when many would rather argue with strawmen, ignore real complexity and isolate themselves against the political Other, students of the law must resolve to hold a higher, more complex loyalty to the founding ideals of our nation, tolerate dissenting opinions that share that loyalty, and fight the rising forces that undermine those ideals. My experiences have prepared me to share this perspective throughout my legal career.

Professional Review by Ivy League Stories

Aaron’s essay is relevant and timely. He discusses a huge issue in law today and makes very clear how highly he holds values and integrity. He then cohesively weaves in his stories and experiences which highlight why he specifically will be an asset in the classroom and beyond.

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Many people can name the political division in our country as a problem, but Aaron stands out through his anecdotes. This makes the problem feel much more real. The story about conservative farmers and environmentalists coming together to protest against eminent domain fortifies his argument that when hyperpartisanship is rejected, “diverse alliances arise to [effectively] fight for justice”

Furthermore, Aaron’s story on teaching Catholic school students a unit on abortion provides another personal experience - this time portraying his capacity for empathy, growth, and humility. He navigates an almost impossible situation by leading with empathy, and allowing his students to “better understand why someone might hold a view opposed to their own,” which is the kind of moral patience and open-mindedness that law demands. He is also deeply reflective, showing readers that he was also able to learn from this experience, a great trait for any student.

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Aaron directly links his life experiences to law and concludes his essay speaking about the increasing need for nuance, complexity, and empathy in the world. Then he beautifully includes a call to action, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of law students to bring these values forth, and how his experiences have qualified him to do so.

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It is critical to note that this essay excels because it does not just argue for Aaron’s admission, but also shares his ideology for what values should inform the law, and how he has personally lived them out.