About Me
Name
Lautaro Garcia Alonso
Prior Education
Universidad de San Andrés (abogado, 2020)
Before Ann Arbor
I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Before My LLM Year
I worked as a legislative advisor at the National Congress of Argentina, and as a teaching assistant in human rights and jurisprudence courses at Universidad de San Andrés in Buenos Aires.
What Makes Me Different From My Classmates
My background is quite different from most of my classmates. After graduating as a lawyer in Argentina, I studied journalism and worked in newspapers and magazines. After that, I pursued a master’s degree in political leadership and became more actively involved in public service.
Although I was always connected to law as a teaching assistant at my law school, having experience in journalism and politics gave me a more complex view of reality. Today I am much closer than ever to the law, and I plan to continue my academic career in the legal field, but having explored other paths opened my horizons and allowed me to broaden my vision of the world outside the law.
My Time at Michigan Law
Why I Chose Michigan Law
In addition to being one of the best law schools in the country, Michigan Law is truly excellent in international law, comparative law, and public interest, all areas in which I was planning to focus during my LLM. I was also particularly interested in all the possibilities the Law School offered for fellowships and internships, with many of them at leading international law institutions.
What Makes Michigan Law Special
Since the beginning of the admission process, I started to perceive the “Michigan Difference”: a much more human way of interacting, a special emphasis on cooperation and diversity, and very personalized treatment.
Throughout my LLM year, I confirmed the Michigan Difference is real, and it’s reflected in my relationships with all my fellow students (both LLM and JD), staff, and professors. It’s a set of shared values that are evident in every interaction on and off campus.
My Favorite Class
Ethics, Justice, and International Law with Professor Steven Ratner
What Surprised Me Most About Michigan Law
One of the things that surprised me the most is the time professors dedicate to their students. They have office hours every week, but they are also easily available for meetings at other times or just to have a casual conversation in a hallway between classes. The complete dedication of the professors to their students is among the things I admire most about Michigan Law.
The Most Difficult Thing About the LLM Year
To begin with, choosing which courses to take is really difficult. Unlike the JDs, we have only two semesters and there are too many interesting courses available. While I couldn’t take all the courses, I opted to audit several courses, which I highly recommend. Although those courses don’t appear on my transcript, I was able to attend all the classes and actively participate in the discussions.
Another big challenge was adjusting to life in another country at the same time all the academic responsibilities began. It wasn’t until two months after arriving in the United States that I really began to feel at home. Without a doubt, having built a wonderful group with my fellow LLM students made the adaptation much easier!
Biggest Hesitation About the LLM Year
One of my biggest fears before starting the LLM was how I would be able to succeed in another language. While the first few weeks of classes were not easy, I gained more and more confidence as time went on.
By the end of the fall semester, I felt much more comfortable. I think the key was to participate in class from the beginning without being inhibited by pronunciation or grammar mistakes (which I’m sure were frequent during the first months!).
The Best Things About Ann Arbor
It is a city full of life, with plenty of opportunities to make plans for music concerts, outdoor activities, and dozens of bars during the weekends. But, at the same time, it’s a college town, where you meet other students everywhere you go. I think this combination makes Ann Arbor most attractive.
If I Could Time Travel, I Would Give Myself This Advice at the Start of My LLM Year
Start earlier! Not only preparing outlines and writing the final papers, but especially the things that make the LLM experience really valuable, like meeting professors during their office hours or inviting them for coffee or lunch. They love spending time with LLM students.
I also wish I had more time to explore all the opportunities the University of Michigan offers outside the Law School. While the academic year is very demanding, I think it is worth making time to visit other departments. There are so many events, workshops and activities elsewhere, and it is a great opportunity to meet students from different schools.
Extracurricular Activities
I served as an online editor for the Michigan Journal of International Law, and I was the LLM representative for the International Law Society and Futuros Abogados. I was also a member of the Latinx Law Students Association and the Organization of Public Interest Students.
Fun Stuff
When I’m Not Studying
I love to go for long walks, and Ann Arbor has amazing places for outdoor activities. (My favorite spot is Nichols Arboretum.) I also really enjoy making plans with my LLM friends, like getting together for dinner or doing karaoke nights.
Whenever I can, I try to go to music concerts, whether it’s folk nights at The Ark or using the Passport to the Arts to attend wonderful classical concerts at Hill Auditorium or the Michigan Theater.
My Favorite Way to De-stress
Playing the piano and watching movies.
Favorite Book
The Aleph and Other Stories by Jorge Luis Borges
Favorite Movie
Der Himmel über Berlin (Wim Wenders)
Favorite TV Show
Black Mirror
Favorite Musical Artist
José González
Favorite Beverage
Mate, of course
Favorite Food From Home
Caprese empanadas
Favorite Food in the United States
Detroit-style pizza! (Unpopular opinion outside Michigan: it is much better than Chicago deep-dish pizza.)
Favorite Item at the Kirkland & Ellis Cafe
I am very basic in this: I always ask for black coffee!