About Me
Name
Fernanda Lopes De Alcantara Gil
Prior Education
Fundação Getulio Vargas (bacharel em direito, 2020)
Before Ann Arbor
I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil.
Before My LLM Year
I worked as a litigation attorney in Brazil, focusing on corporate disputes.
My Time at Michigan Law
Why I Chose Michigan Law
The LLM program here is as close to perfection as it could be, and it’s a dream come true (at the risk of sounding tacky!). Our small LLM class is composed of the most interesting and different people. We get to have classes with JD students, and professors and classes are fascinating. The library is gigantic and has every resource we might need.
What Surprised Me Most About Michigan Law
How nice and caring everyone is. I heard about it before coming here, but it surprised me, anyway. This goes for staff, faculty, and especially students.
My Favorite Class
It’s impossible to choose only one! But, if I really have to, I would say Contract Theory with Professor Sanjukta Paul. Even though the readings were on the heavy side, it was such a great time, and we had such interesting discussions. Having amazing peers in the class helped a lot, but Professor Paul’s passion is contagious, and she is one of those people who knows a lot about everything. We learned so much in a short period.
Biggest Hesitation About the LLM Year
Fear of not making connections and freezing in the Michigan weather. Both proved to be unnecessary hesitations, as I made friends in the very first week here. And even though the winter was cold, it was nothing a good jacket and boots could not handle.
The Most Difficult Thing About the LLM Year
Being away from home. It wasn’t only missing family and friends, but missing the routine, the weather, and understanding social cues.
What Makes Michigan Law Special
The environment. The campus looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. You can tell that the walls of the buildings hold decades of stories, and studying here makes you feel like you’re a special part of history.
If I Could Time Travel, I Would Give Myself This Advice at the Start of the LLM Year
Finish all the administrative obligations (such as fulfilling New York bar requirements and taking the MPRE) during the first semester. You will want to have time to do nothing once in a while during the second semester.
The Best Thing About Ann Arbor
The city is amazingly cute, and it has nice things to do (restaurants, bars, movies). It’s so different from my home city of São Paulo, but I like that I can walk everywhere.
I adore the fact that we have access to so many cultural aspects of living in a university town, such as going to the school’s orchestra concerts, museums, and shows. The fact that everybody here is so nice also helps. (We call it the Michigan Difference.)
Extracurricular Activities
International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Sentence Commutation Project, International Law Society, Alternative Dispute Resolution Association
Fun Stuff
When I’m Not Studying
I’m hanging out with my friends, going to football games, or at Hill Auditorium for an orchestra performance.
My Favorite Way to De-Stress
Listening to music or playing my guitar.
Favorite Books
Right now, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Favorite Movie
Stand By Me
Favorite TV Show
Succession
Favorite Musical Artist
It’s hard to step away from my roots: Caetano Veloso.
Favorite Food From Home
Stroganoff (the Brazilian way!)
Favorite Food in the United States
Anything with chicken tenders
Favorite Item at the Kirkland & Ellis Cafe
Caramel macchiato with oat milk