Tell us about your community growing up. Looking back, how did they shape who you are now?

I grew up in southern California and was heavily immersed in a church community and Middle Eastern community (with lots of overlap between the two). As many Egyptian immigrants will tell you, we grew up being told there are only four viable career paths: doctor, pharmacist, engineer, or accountant. The only lawyers I’d seen were the ones on television, so in my mind, a career in law was about as viable as a career in Hollywood.

Although the legal profession was not on my radar, being caught between different worlds allowed me to develop the interests and skills that eventually made law school appealing. Although it sometimes felt like the clash of civilizations at my own dining room table, I was constantly exposed to varying perspectives and forced to think critically in defining my values and priorities.

Describe your journey to law school. What motivated you to apply?

It was a bit of a winding path. I had some interest in law school when I first began college and did mock trial, but I began to seriously consider law as a career path while I was studying abroad. My international law professor was a great mentor and encouraged me to pursue law school.

After returning from being abroad, I worked in the California Legislature and was torn between law and policy, so I went into law school to find a way to connect the two passions.

What was your law school experience like?

I loved going to law school in our nation’s capital and learning from professors who’d worked in all branches—and at the highest echelons—of government. I was especially grateful to have had a group of friends who, like me, had had other careers before law school, traveled or worked internationally, and believed in public service. They kept me grounded and reminded me there was life (and stress) beyond law school

Did you know about appellate work in law school? If not, when and how did it first get on your radar and why were you drawn to it?

Yes, I was a student attorney in Georgetown’s Appellate Litigation clinic.

The clinic taught us about everything from appellate procedure to strategy and writing. I loved thinking through how to frame an argument or the implications of a proposed rule and its breadth.

The clinic also allowed us to meet with appellate practitioners and judges. I was fortunate enough to argue a case before the D.C. Circuit and to prepare, I was mooted by high-profile professors and attorneys who graciously gave up their time to train me.

Tell us about one of your appellate cases that you found particularly meaningful.

I recently contributed to a certiorari petition involving liability under the Anti-Terrorism Act for companies who had done business in the Middle East. I had an opportunity to work with top practitioners—people I had looked up to since law school—and grapple with the nuances of the region and my interest in national security.

How often do you encounter other Arab people in the appellate field? Why do you think that representation is important?

Very rarely do I encounter Arabs in the legal field, much less the appellate field in particular, although I’m happy to say this has changed over the last few years!

As the impact of U.S. laws and jurisprudence has increasing been felt globally—whether through immigration statutes, the Administrative Procedure Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-Terrorism Act—it is crucial to have people with diverse backgrounds and experiences weighing in. Their unique perspectives can be instrumental in formulating arguments, advising on implications others may be unaware of, and developing the law. Representation empowers unexpected voices to speak up and provide valuable insight.

What advice would you give to a law student of color who aspires to be where you are now?

Some of your biggest advocates and mentors may be folks you don’t expect or with whom you staunchly disagree. Maintain your integrity and cultivate meaningful relationships because you never know who may be going to bat for you.

What’s one thing law schools and/or the appellate bar can do to ensure our highest courts are representative of all our communities?

Invest in diverse attorneys early on in their legal careers. Provide them with the opportunities, skills, and networks that will make their credentials impeccable and their value apparent.