NIU Law Student Emily Perkins Wins National Law Review Writing Competition

Emily Perkins, a third-year law student at Northern Illinois University College of Law, was selected as one of the winners of The National Law Review's Winter 2014 Law Student Writing Competition.

Her article: "Regulating Appearance in the Workplace: An Employer's Guide to Avoid Employment Discrimination Lawsuits," is featured on The National Law Review's homepage: www.natlawreview.com/article/regulating-appearance-workplace-employer-s-guide-to-avoid-employment-discrimination-

The National Law Review's online edition was created to capture legal trends and news as they first start to emerge, offering practice-oriented legal analysis from a variety of sources, including the winners of their quarterly student writing competitions.

"I have always been interested in advocating for the employer, and this article offered me the opportunity to reach out to employers with practical tips for avoiding employment discrimination lawsuits," said Perkins.

NIU Law assistant professor Michael Oswalt, Perkins employment law instructor, encouraged her to enter the contest, building on a paper she was working on as part of a directed research requirement for graduation. "He told me I had a shot, and suggested I refine it to better fit the requirements of The National Law Review competition," Perkins said. "Professor Oswalt was the first one I called when I found out I had won the contest."

"I was absolutely delighted to learn that Emily's piece had been honored by The National Law Review, but not at all surprised. She is smart, creative and a joy to work with," said Professor Oswalt. "We (at NIU Law) are all so proud of her accomplishment!"

After graduating from NIU Law in May, Perkins will practice with the law firm of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen in Peoria, an Illinois-based civil litigation defense firm, where she will focus on insurance and employment law.

Perkins is the current president of the NIU Law Student Bar Association. She is also a member of the Trial Advocacy Society and Moot Court Society, and serves as a graduate assistant in the College of Business at Northern Illinois University.

Perkins also holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Business Administration - (B.S., Illinois State University, 2008; M.BA. Bradley University, 2011)

As the only public law school in Northern Illinois, NIU College of Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in pubic interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms.

For more information on NIU College of Law, see www.niu.edu/law.