Southodeh Ahmadieh (JD 08)

Tell me something special or interesting about your background before you went to law school?

Soutodeh was born in Tehran, Iran. She moved to the United States when she was an infant, but spends a lot of time visiting family in Iran. After moving to the US, Soutodeh grew up in San Diego. After high school, she moved to the Bay Area to attend San Jose State, where she majored in public relations - one of the best PR programs "west of the Mississippi." She really enjoyed her undergraduate degree and feels that it has helped prepare her for many of the communication and networking aspects of becoming a lawyer.

Why did you decide to go to law school?

From the time she was very young, Soutodeh was certain that she wanted to be a lawyer. Now that she is getting closer to realizing her dream, she's more confident than ever that this is the right path for her. "Everything works out," she says. Soutodeh is excited at the numerous opportunities, both professional and personal, that earning her JD will provide. "No matter what field you work in, a lawyer's job is to help people."

Tell me something special or interesting about your law school experience.

Soutodeh is passionate about litigation and feels that she truly belongs in the court room. Though each year of law school has provided Soutodeh with new challenges and new opportunities to excel, she describes her first-year experience as especially transformative. She is grateful for the community she found in her section during her first year at GGU. During the summer after her first year, Soutodeh interned at the Public Defender's office in the Drug Court. This experience, she says, was one of the greatest opportunities to learn some practical litigation skills, from how to interview a client to the perks of being friendly towards the court reporter and bailiff. Soutodeh remains in contact with the judge, PD, DA, bailiff, and sheriffs she worked with during her internship; it was this experience that truly solidified her passion for litigation.

What is your greatest source of motivation/support as you work towards your JD?

"My family is number one," says Soutodeh. "They have been so supportive in every way." Soutodeh also is appreciative of her friends, who have stayed close with her despite the fact that she has had so little time for socializing since beginning law school. Soutodeh also has found some strong support from some of her professors at GGU. She cites Professors Peter Keane and Mark Yates as two of her greatest sources for information, support, and motivation within the GGU community.

What is your favorite thing you do when you are not at law school?

Persian Dance! Soutodeh is a member of the Beshkan Dance Academy, a community of dancers dedicated to "Spreading Persian culture, one city at a time." She joined the group about a year ago when she finally was able to work it into her busy schedule, and she is very excited to be traveling to New York later this month to dance in the New York Persian Parade! Besides dancing, Soutodeh enjoys spending time with her family and friends, seeing movies, and traveling.

If not at GGU, where can we find you?

"On 280," says Soutodeh of her daily commute to and from the South Bay. Soutodeh lives in San Jose and spends most of her free time there.

This interview was conducted by Cortney Munna, Program Coordinator for Law Student Services. Cortney has been working at GGU since October 2007, and finds opportunities to interact with bright, enthusiastic, professional students s Soutodeh to be among the greatest parts of her job.