Hi everyone! My name is Sophia Barber, and I’m at 2L at USC Gould. I grew up in Denver, Colorado. I’m a proud Double Trojan, earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry from USC Thornton School of Music in 2022.
During undergrad at USC, I was very involved on campus as a board member of the USC Concerts Committee and the Student Assembly for Gender Empowerment, and the director of FemFest. I also co-founded an event production company and worked in the music industry in many different capacities.
After earning my bachelor’s degree, I began my professional career as an event planner for the USC Department for Residential Education. I really enjoyed my role and the opportunity to interact with new students and coordinate events that helped them find a community and a sense of belonging at USC. After two years in that role and reflecting on my career goals, I decided to change paths and attend law school.
I’m so grateful that I was able to continue my journey at USC at Gould. I chose to stay at USC Gould because of the incredible community that exists both on campus and within the broader Trojan network. During my 1L year I got involved on campus as a 1L representative for the Music Law Society and Street Law. I had a great year where I worked hard but also made lifelong friends and had a lot of fun.
This past summer, I worked at Gould’s Small Business Clinic, where I provided legal assistance to small business owners. I had the opportunity to work directly with clients and gain hands-on experience in transactional law. Next summer, I will be working at a law firm as a summer associate in corporate transactional law.
This year, I’m excited to serve as an Events Chair for the Business Law Society, a staff editor of the Southern California Law Review, a student in the Small Business Clinic, and a JD Student Ambassador!
I have had the privilege to be part of the Trojan Family for a long time and surround myself with the wonderful people at Gould. If you have any questions about Gould or my experience as a law student, please feel free to contact me at ambassdor1@law.usc.edu. Fight on!
Hi everyone! My name is Logan Barth, and I am a 2L at USC Gould. I am originally from Washington, D.C., but grew up predominantly in Arizona and Northern California. I am a proud Double Trojan and Gould 3+3 Program Participant. I received my bachelor’s degree from USC in Law, History, and Culture with a minor in Business Law.
During undergraduate, I was a Team Captain and the Teaching Assistant of USC’s Trial Advocacy Program. I was also an Executive Director in the Undergraduate Student Government tasked with sustaining and growing USC’s strong Trojan spirit. I helped plan USC-UCLA Rivalry Week (Conquest) and led the student section at football games. Because law was a core aspect of my interdisciplinary major, I was fortunate to take USC Gould undergraduate courses. I quickly decided I wanted to continue my legal education at Gould based on my overwhelmingly positive experiences during my undergrad at USC. I knew USC’s combination of renowned faculty, personalized support, and the Trojan Family would allow me to grow into a successful attorney.
My rewarding experiences at USC continued when I started at Gould in 2024. Gould’s direct support for its students is unparalleled. From the very beginning, Gould connected us with alumni mentors and networking opportunities, faculty never failed to offer personalized support, and Gould offered resources to help us grow both personally and professionally. I was involved in student life as a 1L, serving as 1L Representative for the Jewish Law Student Association and Business Law Society. Additionally, I am a member of the Entertainment Law Society. This year, I am looking forward to joining Southern California Law Review as a Staff Editor. I am also excited to share my wonderful USC experience with prospective Gould applicants as an Admissions Ambassador.
During my 1L summer, I worked at a big law firm in the litigation department. I am returning to the same firm in 2026 for my 2L summer. I first learned about the firm by attending one of the many lunch panels that Gould hosts throughout the school year to introduce students to different employment opportunities.
I am grateful that I was able to start my legal career at USC Gould. Beyond the talented faculty, unique course offerings, and numerous networking opportunities, one of the most impactful parts of Gould is the supportive, friendly student community. Students never fail to support each other, and I have gained life-long friends. If you have any questions about USC Gould, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ambassador2@law.usc.edu. I hope to see you at Gould soon — Fight On!
Howdy everyone! My name is Kennedy Coleman, and I am a 3L at USC Gould. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and attended Southern Methodist University, where I studied Political Science and English with concentrations in Public Policy & International Affairs and Human Rights.
Growing up, I was drawn to the legal field as an institution that could address and influence social inequities. Through my education and experiences, I came to view the legal system as the foundation of governments, markets, and social structures — and lawyers as advocates and analysts who drive change across every arena. With this in mind, I chose USC Gould for its close-knit, supportive community and the opportunity to build a strong foundation for my legal career.
My passion for the law first led me to the criminal sector, where I spent my 1L summer at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Days in the courthouse and prepping pretrial materials sparked my interest in litigation as a dynamic field that shapes precedent across industries. To broaden my perspective, I spent this past summer at a labor and employment litigation firm, gaining hands-on experience across multiple sectors.
At Gould, I’ve had the privilege of serving as President of the Black Law Students Association and participating in the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic. I now serve as the Executive Submissions Editor for the Review of Law and Social Justice and as a Research Assistant for Professor Ed McCaffery. These roles have allowed me to collaborate closely with faculty, staff and peers who make Gould such a special community.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about life as a law student at USC Gould, feel free to reach out to me at ambassador3@law.usc.edu.
Hi, there! My name is Sarah Montgomery and I am a 2L at USC Gould School of Law. I was born in Pasadena, California and grew up in the area. I am a Double Trojan, having earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Law from Dornsife with a minor in Justice, Voice and Advocacy from Annenberg back in 2021.
In between undergrad and law school, I was a teacher. I spent two years as a Teach For America corps member at an LAUSD school teaching special education English and Science to 6th-8th grade students. During that time, I also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Education with a concentration in Educational Policy and Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Then, I spent a year at an L.A. private school teaching general education English to 6th-8th grade students.
I was grading papers alone in my classroom when I received my acceptance email from USC. It could not have felt more right in that moment, though I knew it would be bittersweet to leave a profession that I loved. My dad attended Gould and I saw the remarkable impact the institution made in his life. When I walked on campus during undergrad, I would pass the law school and wonder if I might get my JD there, too. Of course, my decision to pick USC Gould was not just driven by warm fuzzy feelings. The Trojan Family dominates the Los Angeles legal scene; the professors are at the top of the fields; the financial aid packages are fair; and the school nurtures an involved, diverse, and happy community.
As a 1L, I was involved in the Business Law Society, Latinx Law Student Association, and Women’s Law Association. As a 2L, I look forward to continuing my involvement in these associations, as well as deepening my connections to the community as an Admissions Ambassador, which entails introducing people to our wonderful institution; as an Academic Success Fellow, which entails mentoring 1Ls as to how to be their best and most successful selves while in law school; as a Teaching Assistant for Dean Donald Scotten’s class for undergraduates; and as a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program.
For my 1L summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work at a big law firm in Century City. As an aspiring transactional attorney — which means working on transactions rather than litigation, as I hope to never see the inside of a courtroom! — I savored the ability to learn about transactional practices like M&A (mergers and acquisitions), banking and real estate at one of the best law firms in the world. I also had the chance to spend two weeks in-house at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, getting to see how lawyers empower and enable a dynamic enterprise like Disney (and yes, we did go to Disneyland on our last day of work). For my 2L summer, I will work at another world-renowned law firm at its headquarters in Downtown L.A.
I am grateful that, when I get in my car and head towards that special gray building in South Central, I am excited to learn something new and build towards my future alongside my friends. Attending USC Gould has been everything I could dream of and more. Professionally, academically, and personally — I could not have imagined a better fit. Thank you for your interest in Gould. I’d love to meet you and tell you more about how you can find your fit here. Please feel free to reach out to me at ambassador4@law.usc.edu.
Hi everyone! My name is Carol Zhou, and I’m a 3L here at Gould. I was born and raised in Fremont, California, a small suburb outside San Francisco. USC has been my second home since undergrad, where I majored in Public Policy and Law.
In undergrad, I explored the how and why of the law, learning how corporate institutions, particularly in healthcare, could flourish within the bounds of our legal system. Through my classes and a brief foray into business consulting, I realized the critical role that lawyers played in both policy compliance and business advocacy. I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
I applied to Gould in my junior year, graduated early, and returned to where my legal dreams began for law school. I already knew the power of the Trojan family as a support network both in and outside the classroom as demonstrated by my incredible professors who took the time to explain complex concepts to Trojan alumni who helped me find my place in the legal profession. The Gould community of friends, mentors, and found-family helped me find my footing during 1L and the pre-OCI process.
This past summer, I worked at Gould’s Small Business Clinic (SBC) to counsel small businesses to address formation and organizational matters. I interfaced directly with clients, formed multiple LLCs and a dental corporation, and even drafted several contracts! The SBC not only provided invaluable hands-on transactional experience but also incredible mentorship for me as a young professional. My 2L summer, I worked as a summer associate at a big law firm, exploring healthcare transactions and policy compliance. After graduation, I will be returning to that same firm. I am grateful to return to the same fields that sparked my interest in the law!
In my 2L year, I served as an Events Chair for the Business Law Society, Academic Events Chair for the Women of Color Collective, Treasurer of the Health Law Society, and a JD Student Ambassador! It felt amazing to give back to the community that has supported me so much. Coming back to USC for law school was an easy choice that is constantly reaffirmed by the amazing, intelligent people I’ve studied, worked, and laughed alongside. If you have any questions about Gould, please feel free to reach out at ambassador5@law.usc.edu. Fight on!
