"Got a Minute?" with Claire Wendle, 3L

Welcome to the second season of UW Law’s “Got a Minute?” series. Like last year, we’ll find students throughout William H. Gates Hall and ask them 20 questions about their law school experience, a bit about themselves and occasionally drop in a pop quiz or two.

This week, we’re featuring Claire Wendle, a third-year J.D. student.

UW Law: Are you originally from Seattle. and if not, where?

Claire Wendle (CW): I grew up in Bellevue, it's very close.

UW Law: What's one interesting fact about where you're from?

CW: I don't know if I can factually back this up, but I feel like the city has quintupled in size since I grew up there.

UW Law: Where did you earn your undergraduate degree?

CW: I went to Scripps College in Claremont, California.

UW Law: Did you take time off between undergrad and law school?

CW: Yeah, I took four years off. I was a communications and community engagement consultant, so I did infrastructure projects, worked for Sound Transit and helped them get input on what they were building.

UW Law: Why did you decide to go to law school?

CW: After my undergraduate career, I kept running into environmental law when I was working, and I decided I wanted to switch sides and pursue the legal aspect of it, because that was always the most interesting part.

UW Law: Which state has produced the most Supreme Court justices?

CW: New York.

UW Law: Yes — 15! What's one thing you wish you had known before your first day of law school

CW: That I didn't need to know anything.

UW Law: What's your go-to karaoke song?

CW: “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a group.

UW Law: Who's the first person you told you were admitted to UW Law, and what was their reaction?

CW: I told my parents — actually, that’s not true. I was in a work meeting, and I got the email, and I told all my colleagues, and they were all so excited for me. Then I told my parents, and they were both very excited too.

UW Law: Do you have any secret talents?

CW: Very, very neat handwriting.

UW Law: In 30 seconds, list as many UW Law professors as you can. Go!

CW: Mills, Feldman, Wildermuth, Knudsen, Porter, Ziff, Celebrezze, Sanford, Garavito.

UW Law: Nine! Which achievement or accomplishment are you most proud of?

CW: I'm very proud of getting into law school — and finishing.

UW Law: What's the best restaurant discovery you've made in Seattle since starting law school?

CW: I actually just found one last weekend in Ballard. It's called Good Grief. They only do hot dogs and cocktails. It was so awesome.

UW Law: What Latin term do you think sounds the most dramatic?

CW: I like sui generis or sua sponte. I tried to get my boyfriend to name his band sua sponte, but he voted against it.

UW Law: What advice would you give incoming 1L students?

CW: It's not that serious. It's okay to enjoy your life and still try hard in school, but it's not that serious.

UW Law: Is there a particular clinic, journal or student organization that was a memorable experience for you?

CW: I was in the Regulatory Environmental Law & Policy Clinic with Professor Wildermuth, and I loved working with him, and all the other students were awesome. And then I was on the Journal of Social & Environmental Justice, and that was also very fulfilling. One of my really close friends is the editor-in-chief and it was cool to make our mark on the journal for this year.

UW Law: What's your favorite memory from law school so far?

CW: I think my favorite memory was Barristers Ball all three years. We started a little tradition of going out to dinner and hanging out with our partners or dates and having a great time. It's so fun to go to prom when you're in your middle 20s. I'm sad that was my last one.

UW Law: Name one lawyer who inspired you and why.

CW: Can I do somebody who's about to be a lawyer? Does that count?

UW Law: Sure.

CW: Okay, I will do my fellow student Sally Storch. She had a really challenging law school experience, and she killed it and makes it seem like you can really do anything.

UW Law: Is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to?

CW: I'll give a shout out to Amber Sunset because she commits 110% to everything that she does. She's made such a positive impact on the school, for PILA, for the journal we were both on, and she just really has it together.

UW Law: Finally, what's one interesting thing about you that people may not know?

CW: I've run five marathons and am about to run my sixth. I'm doing Chicago in the fall.