David
Leapheart ’14

“Starting law school orientation 10 days after I received my commission in the Marine Corps definitely put things in perspective... ”

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leapheart

David
Leapheart ’14

“Starting law school orientation 10 days after I received my commission in the Marine Corps definitely put things in perspective... ”

My Pathway at a Glance

Before NYU Law

BA, University of Michigan

 

Academic Interests

Constitutional Law

National Security Law

Guarini Scholar

Beyond the Books

NYU Law Review

Black Allied Law Students Association

Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project

Summer Work

City Bar Fellow and Legal Intern, Bank of New York Mellon

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

After NYU Law

Judge Advocate, US Marine Corps, Billet: Trial Counsel

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Academics: Forging My Own Path

“As a student headed toward the military after law school, I knew the importance of having a legal education that could support that experience. Judge advocates get a lot of litigation experience very early in their careers. So I created my own academic experience, studying a combination of criminal procedure, national security, and international law.”

Real World Experience: Saving Detroit

“Professor Clayton Gillette’s ‘mini-firm’ to rescue post-bankruptcy Detroit was an extracurricular project like no other.”

Student Organizations: A Sense of Community

“One part of my NYU experience that’s been absolutely transformational has been my experience with the Black Allied Law Students Association.”

Achievements & Inspirations

Greatest Honor

Being selected to be editor-in-chief of the NYU Law Review. Worked with peers, professors, and faculty adviser Troy McKenzie '00 to develop legal scholarship.

Trusted Adviser

Was mentored by Professor Samuel Rascoff, an expert in national security issues.

Extraordinary Opportunity

leapheart convocation

Selected to be class speaker at Convocation.

After the Marine Corps

Will work at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom after his military career and will clerk for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Ann Arbor, Michigan.