Q&A with Rising 2L Navin Ramalingam

Rising 2L Navin Ramalingam was born and raised in the city of Chennai in southern India. He currently serves on the Law School’s Wellness Initiative and is a student member of the Diversity Committee. Recently featured in Minnesota Law magazine, Navin sat down for a brief Q&A on his experience at the Law School.

Why did you choose to study at Minnesota Law?

Because of its welcoming and collaborative culture, impressive faculty, breathtaking number of clinical and concentration options, and the Twin Cities location.

What are your career aspirations?

I'm interested in pursuing a career in civil litigation, and maybe class action and complex litigation if I get those opportunities along the way. I also plan to do public service work, especially in the human and civil rights area, after I gain litigation experience in the private sector.

What has your law school experience been like?

Law school has been the most challenging and thrilling experience I have had in my adult life. It is intellectually demanding yet fulfilling, too. I have received great support from the administration, my classmates, and especially the upper-level students. They have been there for me, providing their assistance every step of the way.

How did you land your summer job?

Primarily because of my kind and knowledgeable career counselor, Wendy Griak, at the Career Center, who was instrumental in making sure I was interview-ready, and through Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, a group of leading Twin-Cities legal employers dedicated to advancing diversity in the legal community in Minnesota.

What is your favorite Minnesota Law moment?

Meeting Chief Justice John Roberts and having the opportunity to ask him questions. He visited the school for the 2018 Stein Lecture and our constitutional law class had the good fortune of meeting him for an hour before the official lecture in the evening.

Any tips for incoming students?

Have an open mind, be ready to work hard, unlearn and adapt your strategies as you go through the first year. More importantly, make friends and make use of the amazing breadth of outside-the classroom experiences that Minnesota Law has to offer.