When it came to deciding on a law school, Chaka Tellem ’27 picked YLS for one reason: “the people.”
“Throughout my application process, I made it a point to attend webinars hosted by various law schools and engage with staff and students, when possible,” Tellem said. “A common theme I noticed at Yale was the warmth and kindness of everyone involved, from admissions staff to students and alumni. When reflecting on the type of environment I wanted for the next three years of my life, I found this warmth to be incredibly important.”
Tellem graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2023, where he studied political economy, public policy, and race and law and served as student body president for two years. Prior to enrolling at YLS, he was engaged in NGO and policy work across various cities in Colombia. He also collaborated with a former professor on research concerning the country’s recent criminal justice reforms and its impact on policing. This past summer, he worked as a Law Fellow at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in Washington, D.C., as part of the 2024 Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Law program.
One experience that has resonated with Tellem since starting law school was the Newman Colloquium, “Judging in Times of Crisis.” The event, sponsored by the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights, featured a panel of distinguished jurists hailing from Brazil, the European Union, Ecuador, Israel, and Pakistan and was moderated by Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor Cristina Rodríguez ’00.
“Attending this event provided a fascinating glimpse into the judicial world of other countries,” said Tellem.
Tellem said he is looking forward to seeing how his law school career unfolds over the next three years.
“I’m excited about learning, meeting new people, exploring new opportunities, and deepening my existing passions and interests,” he said.