Elijah Wiesman, ’29, comes to UChicago Law with experience spanning immigration law and national security. A Washington University in St. Louis graduate, Wiesman has worked in immigration law and most recently as an intelligence analyst for the FBI. We spoke with him about his path to law school, his interest in litigation and public service, and what drew him to UChicago Law.

Tell us a little about your background and the path that led you to law school.

I first became interested in law when I authored a law review article with one of my peers during our senior year of high school. Thereafter, working directly with clients in multiple immigration law internships cemented my commitment to serving others through the legal profession. Hearing their stories of state violence, gender violence, and gang violence motivated me to ensure they, and others in similar situations, were able to access legal remedies and remain in the United States. As I progressed through my undergraduate degree, I authored a counterterrorism-focused undergraduate thesis and began working on similar cases at the FBI. Putting the concepts I had studied into action in the justice system affirmed my commitment to pursuing a legal education. 

What are one or two professional, academic, or personal experiences that have most shaped who you are, and why?

I witnessed the impact the law can have on a community’s well-being while serving as an intelligence analyst for the FBI. Investigating criminal and national security matters with colleagues at the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office affirmed my desire to work at a mission-driven organization. The FBI’s structured approach to analysis also fundamentally shaped the way I confront problems by compelling me to consider my biases, weigh the quality of my sources, and remain open to alternative explanations.

Facilitating interfaith dialogues with my undergraduate peers instilled in me an appreciation for how they arrived at their worldviews, even when our perspectives differed. I found meaning in our discussions, which were forged through genuine friendship and mutual trust. These conversations informed my belief that even the most charged topics can serve as the basis for a respectful exchange.

What inspired you to pursue a legal education?

My former positions in public interest law, private practice, legal academia, and law enforcement each affirmed my interest in entering the legal field. I’ve been lucky to work for legal practitioners and scholars who showed me the myriad ways attorneys can make a tangible difference in the lives of their clients and constituencies. Through each of these experiences, I loved combining the law’s intellectually rigorous rules-based structure with the interpersonal connections forged with clients.

What areas of law or legal issues are you most interested in exploring?

I am interested in exploring the legal mechanisms available to victims in both the criminal system and civil system. I am also interested in learning about appellate advocacy, particularly constitutional law. As I work my way through my classes, I am confident I will also discover additional legal issues that pique my interest.

Why did you choose the University of Chicago Law School?

I chose to attend the University of Chicago Law School due to its community, which manifests in several ways. I was drawn to the quality and depth of the student-faculty relationships and the small class size compared to peer institutions. I also found the commitment to not just tolerating but engaging with conflicting ideologies to be of paramount importance in a legal education. Finally, I admired the school’s interdisciplinary approach to legal education, as I benefited from participating in a similarly interdisciplinary program as an undergraduate.

What impact do you hope to have with your legal education?

I aspire to make my communities safer, whether by securing people’s rights via civil litigation or securing criminal convictions at the federal level. Through ethical legal practice, I hope to build public confidence in the justice system’s ability to find truth and draw principled boundaries.

What are you most excited to experience as a UChicago Law student?

I am looking forward to learning from my peers, each of whom will bring a unique perspective. By engaging with their viewpoints, I hope to sharpen my own. As an aspiring litigator, I am also grateful for the opportunity to receive feedback on my writing from accomplished professors and fellows. Beyond the classroom, the opportunity to live in Hyde Park and become part of the Chicago community is something I am especially excited about.

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of school and work?

I love exploring national parks and was lucky to visit a few new ones during the summer before starting law school. To stay healthy, I enjoy swimming laps and cooking new recipes from diverse cuisines. Occasionally, I also like playing violin in a chamber ensemble with my friends.

What are a few fun facts about you that your classmates might be surprised to learn?

My most Bostonian fun fact is that I have worn all the New England Patriots’ championship rings at the same time. On one of the chillier days of my life, I also did a polar plunge next to a glacier.