Chet Eckman, Class of 2017, Founding Member
Undergrad: Northeastern University
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Legal Interests: Corporate and securities law
1L Summer: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
2L Summer: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Email: ceckman@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: The first in my family to attend college, I was definitely more than a little overwhelmed when I started the very foreign adventure that was law school. My parents didn't really understand my decision to leave what they saw as a great job in NYC to go back to school. I was lucky to have fantastic mentors from work prior to Penn Law and to find several within the school who have helped me to succeed over my three years. I have been involved with some of the core student organizations at Penn Law from Lambda to the Law Review to the Bowling League, and I am very excited to get this new group started. With First Generation Professionals, I aim to help students who might feel a bit out of place - like I did - to assimilate more seamlessly to Penn Law and to assure them that they are not alone. I hope that FGP will provide a structured support network for students from backgrounds like mine and will help them to succeed in the legal profession.
Undergrad: Northeastern University
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Legal Interests: Corporate and securities law
1L Summer: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
2L Summer: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Email: ceckman@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: The first in my family to attend college, I was definitely more than a little overwhelmed when I started the very foreign adventure that was law school. My parents didn't really understand my decision to leave what they saw as a great job in NYC to go back to school. I was lucky to have fantastic mentors from work prior to Penn Law and to find several within the school who have helped me to succeed over my three years. I have been involved with some of the core student organizations at Penn Law from Lambda to the Law Review to the Bowling League, and I am very excited to get this new group started. With First Generation Professionals, I aim to help students who might feel a bit out of place - like I did - to assimilate more seamlessly to Penn Law and to assure them that they are not alone. I hope that FGP will provide a structured support network for students from backgrounds like mine and will help them to succeed in the legal profession.
Akbar Hossain, Class of 2018, Founding Member
Undergrad: Franklin and Marshall College
Hometown: Norristown, PA
Legal Interests: Immigration, Asylum, and Refugee Policies
1L Summer: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Norristown Planning Commission
2L Summer: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Email: akbarh@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born in Bangladesh and my family later moved to Saudi Arabia, where my father was a migrant worker. My family immigrated to the United States in 2001, through the Diversity Visa Lottery. I came of age watching my family and neighbors, from all corners of the globe, struggle with language barriers and low-paying, backbreaking jobs. I would not be where I am today without the sacrifices of my parents and the encouragement of my community. For me, First Generation Professionals is a step towards recognizing the importance of the rich stories and experiences that first generation students bring to graduate schools. I hope that FGP will provide a space for students of similar backgrounds to network and act as a model to help in the facilitation of broader conversation about socioeconomic diversity and mobility.
Undergrad: Franklin and Marshall College
Hometown: Norristown, PA
Legal Interests: Immigration, Asylum, and Refugee Policies
1L Summer: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Norristown Planning Commission
2L Summer: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Email: akbarh@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born in Bangladesh and my family later moved to Saudi Arabia, where my father was a migrant worker. My family immigrated to the United States in 2001, through the Diversity Visa Lottery. I came of age watching my family and neighbors, from all corners of the globe, struggle with language barriers and low-paying, backbreaking jobs. I would not be where I am today without the sacrifices of my parents and the encouragement of my community. For me, First Generation Professionals is a step towards recognizing the importance of the rich stories and experiences that first generation students bring to graduate schools. I hope that FGP will provide a space for students of similar backgrounds to network and act as a model to help in the facilitation of broader conversation about socioeconomic diversity and mobility.
Steven Mills, Class of 2019, Founding Member
Undergrad: University of California, Berkeley
Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Legal Interests: Education, Voting Rights, and Civil Rights
1L Summer (2017): ACLU of Northern California
Email: millss@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I am amongst the first in my family to graduate from college and am the first to pursue a graduate education. For as long as I can remember, my parents prioritized my educational pursuits with the understanding that it was important for my professional and educational development. I valued my classroom experiences since they served as a distraction from some of the personal struggles I had to overcome. I immersed myself in my classwork and pursued opportunities in student affairs to learn more about the education system that was impacting my life and my peers. I was fortunate to have mentors that helped establish a foundation for me to succeed, however, I recognize that not everyone has had this. First Generation Professionals is an important step forward in recognizing the unique obstacles that first generation college students and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face in pursuit of higher education. I am excited to advocate for this community and connect it to vital resources and networks.
Undergrad: University of California, Berkeley
Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Legal Interests: Education, Voting Rights, and Civil Rights
1L Summer (2017): ACLU of Northern California
Email: millss@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I am amongst the first in my family to graduate from college and am the first to pursue a graduate education. For as long as I can remember, my parents prioritized my educational pursuits with the understanding that it was important for my professional and educational development. I valued my classroom experiences since they served as a distraction from some of the personal struggles I had to overcome. I immersed myself in my classwork and pursued opportunities in student affairs to learn more about the education system that was impacting my life and my peers. I was fortunate to have mentors that helped establish a foundation for me to succeed, however, I recognize that not everyone has had this. First Generation Professionals is an important step forward in recognizing the unique obstacles that first generation college students and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face in pursuit of higher education. I am excited to advocate for this community and connect it to vital resources and networks.
Board Members
Christina Chen, Co-President, Class of 2020
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Legal Interests: Corporate, Tech Transactions, Privacy, Cybersecurity
1L Summer: Twitter
Email: chenchri@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: While growing up in Brooklyn, NY and Beijing, China, I witnessed the numerous sacrifices my parents made so that my sisters and I could have an education. As my parents worked multiple jobs, I learned the values of hard work and ambition. I am a first generation high school graduate and after financially supporting myself through college at NYU, I became one of the first in my family to graduate college. Desiring to give back to the community after graduation, I taught U.S. History to juveniles in an incarceration alternative program and investigated violent felonies and cybercrimes at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. I am the very first in my extended family to attend law school and to attend an engineering school. As a dual degree law and computer science student at Penn, I hope to be a trailblazer for not only first generation professionals but also for women and minorities in STEM.
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Legal Interests: Corporate, Tech Transactions, Privacy, Cybersecurity
1L Summer: Twitter
Email: chenchri@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: While growing up in Brooklyn, NY and Beijing, China, I witnessed the numerous sacrifices my parents made so that my sisters and I could have an education. As my parents worked multiple jobs, I learned the values of hard work and ambition. I am a first generation high school graduate and after financially supporting myself through college at NYU, I became one of the first in my family to graduate college. Desiring to give back to the community after graduation, I taught U.S. History to juveniles in an incarceration alternative program and investigated violent felonies and cybercrimes at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. I am the very first in my extended family to attend law school and to attend an engineering school. As a dual degree law and computer science student at Penn, I hope to be a trailblazer for not only first generation professionals but also for women and minorities in STEM.
Bradie Williams, Director of Professional Development, Class of 2019
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulation, Government and Public Policy
1L Summer: Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Email: bradiew@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was raised in a small town in South Central Wisconsin. My dad is a landscaper, and my mom is in sales. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, becoming the first in my family to earn a college degree. Prior to coming to Penn Law, I worked on President Obama's re-election campaign in Wisconsin and served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Education. I am proud to say that my younger sister graduated from college this year, and my brother hopes to join our ranks soon. I also serve on the Board of the Youth Advocacy Project, which provides comprehensive support to kids prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system in Pennsylvania.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulation, Government and Public Policy
1L Summer: Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Email: bradiew@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was raised in a small town in South Central Wisconsin. My dad is a landscaper, and my mom is in sales. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, becoming the first in my family to earn a college degree. Prior to coming to Penn Law, I worked on President Obama's re-election campaign in Wisconsin and served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Education. I am proud to say that my younger sister graduated from college this year, and my brother hopes to join our ranks soon. I also serve on the Board of the Youth Advocacy Project, which provides comprehensive support to kids prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system in Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Fassih, Co-Director of Admissions, Class of 2019
Undergrad: Bowling Green State University
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Legal Interests: Litigation
1L Summer: Intern for US Magistrate Judge David R. Strawbridge, EDPA
Email: efassih@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in Cleveland, OH in a family of Iranian immigrants. In Iran, education is revered much more than it is in the US, so though we were not very well-off financially, my Dad pushed my three siblings and I to further our educations as much as possible. I went to Bowling Green State University for undergrad, where I met my now-husband. I moved to Waco, TX after undergrad to attend Baylor University for a Master's Degree in American Studies, with a focus on Iranian immigration patterns in the US. I am now very happy to have left academia for law school, and am hoping to work in a Philly law firm after graduation.
Undergrad: Bowling Green State University
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Legal Interests: Litigation
1L Summer: Intern for US Magistrate Judge David R. Strawbridge, EDPA
Email: efassih@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in Cleveland, OH in a family of Iranian immigrants. In Iran, education is revered much more than it is in the US, so though we were not very well-off financially, my Dad pushed my three siblings and I to further our educations as much as possible. I went to Bowling Green State University for undergrad, where I met my now-husband. I moved to Waco, TX after undergrad to attend Baylor University for a Master's Degree in American Studies, with a focus on Iranian immigration patterns in the US. I am now very happy to have left academia for law school, and am hoping to work in a Philly law firm after graduation.
Quincy Vien, Co-Director of Admissions, Class of 2019
Undergrad: University of California, Los Angeles
Hometown: Westminster ("Little Sài Gòn"), California
Legal Interests: White Collar Prosecution
1L Summer: Enforcement Division, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (NYC Regional Office)
Email: qvien@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I intimately understands the challenges that those from underserved ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds confront while trying to achieve a tangible sense of upward mobility. Through witnessing my family face and overcome various adversities during my childhood, I became inspired early on to pursue a career in public service and to one day advocate on behalf of families similar to my own. Grounded in the selfless support of my parents and countless mentors, I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where I studied English literature. As a first-generation Vietnamese-American, college graduate, and now law student, I am determined to affirm the access that those from less fortunate means have to the many opportunities that I myself have been blessed to benefit from.
Undergrad: University of California, Los Angeles
Hometown: Westminster ("Little Sài Gòn"), California
Legal Interests: White Collar Prosecution
1L Summer: Enforcement Division, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (NYC Regional Office)
Email: qvien@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I intimately understands the challenges that those from underserved ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds confront while trying to achieve a tangible sense of upward mobility. Through witnessing my family face and overcome various adversities during my childhood, I became inspired early on to pursue a career in public service and to one day advocate on behalf of families similar to my own. Grounded in the selfless support of my parents and countless mentors, I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where I studied English literature. As a first-generation Vietnamese-American, college graduate, and now law student, I am determined to affirm the access that those from less fortunate means have to the many opportunities that I myself have been blessed to benefit from.
Elizabeth Dailey, Co-Director of Mentorship, Class of 2019
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Legal Interests: Copyright and Employment Law
1L Summer: Summer Associate at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Email: daile@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: Growing up in a blue-collar community in Northeast Philadelphia, my parents instilled in me and my six siblings a good work ethic and a desire to excel in every undertaking. Even with the love and support of my family and a strong personal drive, the first year of law school was a formidable challenge, bringing me to question myself and my place at Penn Law. Being a first generation college student and the first in my family to pursue a graduate degree, I am still in the process of figuring out what opportunities exist in the world beyond my limited first-hand knowledge and without any personal guidance or role model to follow. The first semester of law school was somewhat of an alienating experience as I found it difficult to talk to my family about my law school life and to talk to my classmates and colleagues about my home life. While I may have questioned whether or not I could “cut it” in law school, there has never been any doubt that I chose the right school for me. The Penn Law administration and the First Generation Professionals group were a saving grace during a trying time. While I think we will all continue to struggle individually with coming to terms with our experiences as a first generation professional, together as a group we provide the support and understanding needed to reach beyond the various limitations and obstacles to our success. I am looking forward to working with my fellow FGPers to extend a hand to local college and high school students and to show them the vast opportunities before them. I believe that we, the members of FGP, can serve as a resource to first generation students as they begin to form and pursue their career goals, providing students with the network and support system they may not have in their personal lives.
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Legal Interests: Copyright and Employment Law
1L Summer: Summer Associate at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Email: daile@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: Growing up in a blue-collar community in Northeast Philadelphia, my parents instilled in me and my six siblings a good work ethic and a desire to excel in every undertaking. Even with the love and support of my family and a strong personal drive, the first year of law school was a formidable challenge, bringing me to question myself and my place at Penn Law. Being a first generation college student and the first in my family to pursue a graduate degree, I am still in the process of figuring out what opportunities exist in the world beyond my limited first-hand knowledge and without any personal guidance or role model to follow. The first semester of law school was somewhat of an alienating experience as I found it difficult to talk to my family about my law school life and to talk to my classmates and colleagues about my home life. While I may have questioned whether or not I could “cut it” in law school, there has never been any doubt that I chose the right school for me. The Penn Law administration and the First Generation Professionals group were a saving grace during a trying time. While I think we will all continue to struggle individually with coming to terms with our experiences as a first generation professional, together as a group we provide the support and understanding needed to reach beyond the various limitations and obstacles to our success. I am looking forward to working with my fellow FGPers to extend a hand to local college and high school students and to show them the vast opportunities before them. I believe that we, the members of FGP, can serve as a resource to first generation students as they begin to form and pursue their career goals, providing students with the network and support system they may not have in their personal lives.
Samantha Stowers, Co-Director of Mentorship, Class of 2019
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Hometown: Manitowish Waters, WI
Legal Interests: Corporate
1L Summer: NYC Law Department
Email: stowers@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in a town of 300 people called Manitowish Waters near the northern border of Wisconsin where I had a thirty-mile drive to my publicly zoned high school. Wanting to see what else was out there, I graduated high school in three years and moved to Madison, WI. Over the course of my time there, I earned a degree in English and Political Science. At UW-Madison, I realized how many opportunities were available - much more than I was used to in my small town. While I will always return to northern Wisconsin for water skiing, great cheese, and family reunions, I am excited to be forging my new path at Penn Law.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Hometown: Manitowish Waters, WI
Legal Interests: Corporate
1L Summer: NYC Law Department
Email: stowers@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in a town of 300 people called Manitowish Waters near the northern border of Wisconsin where I had a thirty-mile drive to my publicly zoned high school. Wanting to see what else was out there, I graduated high school in three years and moved to Madison, WI. Over the course of my time there, I earned a degree in English and Political Science. At UW-Madison, I realized how many opportunities were available - much more than I was used to in my small town. While I will always return to northern Wisconsin for water skiing, great cheese, and family reunions, I am excited to be forging my new path at Penn Law.
Frank Broomell, Co-Director of Networking, Class of 2019
Undergrad: George Washington University
Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ
Legal Interests: Litigation, Government Affairs, Regulation
1L Summer: Intern for Chief Judge Beryl Howell, DC District Court
Email: broof@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in South Jersey and attended George Washington University as a first generation college student. From early on, my parents emphasized the importance of an education and put my brothers and I in a position to have a great education. Wanting to give back for the opportunities the country afforded my family, I joined the Marine Corps after graduating from GW. That desire to give back has continued with me to Penn Law and I hope that First Generation Professionals can serve as a way to lend a helping hand to not only other first generation students here at the law school, but potential applicants as well.
Undergrad: George Washington University
Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ
Legal Interests: Litigation, Government Affairs, Regulation
1L Summer: Intern for Chief Judge Beryl Howell, DC District Court
Email: broof@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in South Jersey and attended George Washington University as a first generation college student. From early on, my parents emphasized the importance of an education and put my brothers and I in a position to have a great education. Wanting to give back for the opportunities the country afforded my family, I joined the Marine Corps after graduating from GW. That desire to give back has continued with me to Penn Law and I hope that First Generation Professionals can serve as a way to lend a helping hand to not only other first generation students here at the law school, but potential applicants as well.
Edward Lee, Co-Director of Networking, Class of 2019
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Hometown: New York City, NY
Legal Interests: Securities, Corporate, White Collar
1L Summer: NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law
Email: ledward@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in Queens, NY and attended high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. My parents are Korean immigrants and worked long days, always emphasizing the values of hard work and education. For me, FGP is an opportunity for students from working class backgrounds to come together and create a community that is sensitive to the unique needs of FGPers. I hope it will become a valuable resource for future FGPers and educate the larger law school community about the diversity of experiences within the student body.
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Hometown: New York City, NY
Legal Interests: Securities, Corporate, White Collar
1L Summer: NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law
Email: ledward@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was born and raised in Queens, NY and attended high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. My parents are Korean immigrants and worked long days, always emphasizing the values of hard work and education. For me, FGP is an opportunity for students from working class backgrounds to come together and create a community that is sensitive to the unique needs of FGPers. I hope it will become a valuable resource for future FGPers and educate the larger law school community about the diversity of experiences within the student body.
Rachel Pearlman, Director of Communications, Class of 2019
Undergrad: Bentley University
Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Legal Interests: Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions
1L Summer: Intern for District Judge Jerome B. Simandle, DNJ
Email: rpe@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: When I was in 2nd grade, my mother (lovingly) wrote on a class assignment that I was so stubborn and argumentative that I would be a lawyer one day. I decided to (stubbornly) prove her right. While my reasons for pursing a legal career evolved beyond that overtime, this has constantly been the goal I put all my energy behind. Coming from a family where I was among the first to attend college, it ended up being a lot of independent research, self-motivation, and unguided paperwork on the path to make law school a reality. I instantly realized that First Generation Professionals was full of others who can relate to my experience of having loving, supportive parents but still having to do things mostly on your own, and I am excited for the opportunity to bond with other members and help make navigating law school a little easier for other First Generation Professionals!
Undergrad: Bentley University
Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Legal Interests: Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions
1L Summer: Intern for District Judge Jerome B. Simandle, DNJ
Email: rpe@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: When I was in 2nd grade, my mother (lovingly) wrote on a class assignment that I was so stubborn and argumentative that I would be a lawyer one day. I decided to (stubbornly) prove her right. While my reasons for pursing a legal career evolved beyond that overtime, this has constantly been the goal I put all my energy behind. Coming from a family where I was among the first to attend college, it ended up being a lot of independent research, self-motivation, and unguided paperwork on the path to make law school a reality. I instantly realized that First Generation Professionals was full of others who can relate to my experience of having loving, supportive parents but still having to do things mostly on your own, and I am excited for the opportunity to bond with other members and help make navigating law school a little easier for other First Generation Professionals!
Shawn Summers, Treasurer, Class of 2019
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulation
1L Summer: Intern for District Judge Robert B. Kugler, DNJ
Email: ssumm@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up following my father's career in radio all over the eastern half of the country. He himself was only one generation removed from rural Appalachian poverty. In cities as distant as Milwaukee and Miami, I saw my parents sacrifice and stretch their means in order to ensure that I had the best possible education. While their efforts gave me the opportunities I needed to go to a place like Penn Law, I frequently felt out of place in high school and college among my classmates from affluent, professional-class families. Meeting people from backgrounds similar to mine through First Generation Professionals has been a very welcome change. My hope for FGP is that it not only provides a space for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to meet and help each other with our specific needs, but also serves as a means to bring in prospective students who may not otherwise have considered a school like Penn.
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulation
1L Summer: Intern for District Judge Robert B. Kugler, DNJ
Email: ssumm@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up following my father's career in radio all over the eastern half of the country. He himself was only one generation removed from rural Appalachian poverty. In cities as distant as Milwaukee and Miami, I saw my parents sacrifice and stretch their means in order to ensure that I had the best possible education. While their efforts gave me the opportunities I needed to go to a place like Penn Law, I frequently felt out of place in high school and college among my classmates from affluent, professional-class families. Meeting people from backgrounds similar to mine through First Generation Professionals has been a very welcome change. My hope for FGP is that it not only provides a space for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to meet and help each other with our specific needs, but also serves as a means to bring in prospective students who may not otherwise have considered a school like Penn.
