Alex Sarsfield

Motivation to purse an advanced degree

I decided to attend law school to gain a better understanding of law and policy. Liberal democracies have historically been the foundation for freedoms to flourish, and I want to contribute to their success. The focal points of my research have been governmental structure and constitutional law.

Impact of Fellowships and Awards on Graduate Education

As a 2016-2017 recipient of the Florida House of Representatives Legislative Intern Program, I will work with a committee in the Florida House of Representatives researching and writing on issues regarding best practices for the State of Florida. In this role, I will gain firsthand experience in the art of policy-making. This fellowship will open many doors to my future and will alleviate the burden of my student loans upon graduation.

Major accomplishments during academic career

During my law school career, I had the privilege of being a member and President of FSU’s award-winning Moot Court Team where my teammate and I were awarded the Best Brief in the North American Region of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition. I also served as the Executive Editor of the FSU Business Review, and a member of the Graduate Fellows Society. I recently became a published author; during my second year, I published an article I wrote on Comparative Constitutional Law, “Legitimizing the Modern American Democracy through ‘Fourth-Branch’ Institutions” in the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy. I will be co-writing another article with Professor David Landau for publication in an international law journal.

Career aspirations

I intend to work in the federal government to positively impact those who have the least and give a voice to the voiceless through policy-making. My natural instinct as a former teacher was to pursue a career in the Department of Education collaborating with others to develop effective policies to benefit all children. However, I have grown a passion for international law. I am currently pursuing opportunities related to international human rights, including a potential Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Cambridge.