Meet the Class of 2026: Emily Miranda

Incoming 1L Emily Miranda ’26, is a first generation American and college graduate. Her family is from Brazil, and she was born and raised in Massachusetts. She attended high school and college simultaneously at Florida Atlantic University and graduated with a degree in political science and criminal justice. While there she dedicated herself to volunteering in the community and accumulated over 500 community service hours, primarily in areas addressing food insecurity.

Welcome to Minnesota Law! Can you tell us why you chose the University of Minnesota Law School?

After my conversations with admissions that were so strikingly genuine and engaging … I knew Minnesota Law was going to be a top pick. After doing further research into life in Minneapolis and life at Minnesota Law, I was fully convinced.

What are you looking forward to the most about starting law school?

The experiential learning experiences we have the opportunity to pursue starting the summer after 1L: to work alongside lawyers in diverse fields, and to even be of assistance in real-world cases while still being a student are all incredibly exciting to me. There are so many fields of law and applications of a legal degree and to get even a glimpse into these worlds is an invaluable experience.

Minnesota Law strives to embody a culture of equity, inclusiveness, and belonging in the classroom and in our community. What are some of the most important aspects of creating a culture where all students feel like they belong?

I think that in a truly inclusive and accepting environment there doesn’t necessarily need to be a cognisant push for an inclusive culture. If anything, this is what we should expect as the bare minimum in any space we enter, be it a workplace, classroom, or dinner out with new friends. If anything, the most important prerequisite for a culture of belonging is a generally held expectation that anyone or any ideas at odds with principles of equity, diversity, and inclusivity are called out and dismantled.

Are you interested in practicing in a certain area of the law? Which one and why?

I’m more familiar with the types of law I’m trying to stray away from rather than the ones I’m leaning towards. Whatever field I end up in would have to be something with frequent and diverse client interactions, and preferably at least some time in a courtroom setting.

Do you have a hobby or special interests? And/or what do you like to do during your free time?

I am a full-time clothing reseller and so I have a bit of a necessary addiction to thrifting clothes. I also am a bit of a bibliophile and adore literary fiction. On the more practical side though I do enjoy weightlifting and find it a really great way to relieve stress.

Who inspires you and why?

My little sister. She has always been so unapologetically herself and never with an ounce of effort. I think most people spend their whole lives aspiring toward that. She’s never asked for forgiveness for being the center of attention and is the funniest friend you can have. I try to carry a bit of that confidence (even if it’s not as effortless) into every new interaction I have.

What’s the most recent book or podcast you’ve read or listened to?

I am currently working through the new podcast season of Dissect, breaking down all of Frank Ocean’s music and whittling down his songs to find “the last [best] song standing.” I am a devout Frank Ocean fan and he’s been my top artist every year since I was 12, and so as I patiently await music that will most likely never come.

Finally, what or who makes a good lawyer?

Someone who likes their job. It’s a bit of an oversimplification but you can tell when someone doesn’t want to be somewhere, when they don’t want to help you or hear what you have to say. When you consider the implications at stake in most cases where a lawyer is being referred to, clients can’t afford any level of disregard. Becoming a lawyer is such a conscious path taken, it's not something you just stumble into one day, and for this reason I really do think that regardless of what legal field you choose, you have to have a genuine passion or interest for it.