Written by: Will Bower
Angelica Luszcz’s journey to Iowa Law began in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The daughter of Polish immigrants, much of her perspective is shaped by her identity as a first-generation college and law student—and from observing the obstacles her parents faced in the United States.
“Growing up, I witnessed my parents go through financial struggles, language barriers, and things like that,” Luszcz said. “They weren’t familiar with the resources that were available to them.”
These hurdles would become a driving force for her as she charted her future. In undergrad, Luszcz discovered a passion for history, particularly the history of social movements and injustice in the U.S. This experience led her to join GirlForward, a nonprofit that provides safe spaces, tutoring, and mentoring for girls who identify as immigrants, asylum seekers, or refugees. As part of her role, she helped connect young girls with legal resources.
“One of my mentors was studying for the LSAT during that time, and she taught me about how we need to make the law more accessible, especially to immigrants,” Luszcz said. “It inspired me to get into legal history, and then ultimately go to law school so that I can help people like my parents and make justice feel like it is achievable.”
Arriving at Iowa
When Luszcz started looking at law schools, Iowa stood out, and not just because it’s close to home.
“Iowa stuck out to me because of its emphasis on pro bono work and encouraging students to get hands-on experience,” Luszcz said. “It’s also known as The Writing Law School, which I really enjoy.”
As a 1L, Luszcz hit the ground running by participating in the Citizen Lawyer Program. She spent time volunteering with the public defender’s office in Davenport, Iowa, where she drafted motions, researched case law, collaborated with the public defenders, and learned how to apply legal precedents.
“I enjoyed the prioritization of learning within a community and giving back to that community,” Luszcz said.
Making a difference in the Writing Center
Luszcz had a strong writing foundation coming into Iowa Law. As a history undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago, she mastered writing techniques and learned how to craft an argument.
“I really liked the idea of being able to put something all in one place and write a compelling narrative about a certain topic,” Luszcz said.
But as any law student will tell you, legal writing comes with a learning curve. Luszcz initially struggled but quickly adjusted to the style, crediting professor Mary Ksobiech and Lorraine Gaynor with helping her find her groove.
“She was able to break [legal writing] down for me so I was able to understand why we're writing this way and why it's more compelling to write this way,” Luszcz said.
Luszcz began looking for ways to give back and help other law students improve their writing skills, which led to a tutoring position in the Writing Center.
“I wanted to join that group because, as a first-generation student myself, I was completely unaware of what I was getting myself into with legal writing,” Luszcz said.
Now a 3L, Luszcz is a Roth Fellow in the Writing Center, where she provides tutoring services and mentors 2L tutors. Dawn Anderson, professor and director of the Writing Center, said Luszcz’s contributions have been numerous.
“Angelica is a great writer, and she is also a great tutor,” Anderson said. “She explains legal writing concepts in a way that is accessible to new legal writers.”
Attending The Writing Law School® means a world-class legal writing education, but it can also be intimidating to new writers. Luszcz believes the Writing Center can relieve some of that pressure and provide a judgment-free space to learn.
“I think it is a unique space in the law school where we can strip away the competitiveness that's inherent in the law school system and truly be there for another person,” Luszcz said.
Looking towards the future
Luszcz’s summers have afforded her diverse experiences outside the classroom, including immigration work with Prairie State Legal Services and litigation work with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she’ll return upon graduation.
“I'm interested in litigation generally and the art of turning legal writing and research into oral advocacy for a client,” Luszcz said.
As she reflects on her law school experience, Luszcz emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable with professors and with each other.
“We have a tendency of getting locked into ourselves when we feel confused,” Luszcz said. “My biggest advice is to talk about how you're feeling with other people and form that community of support towards one another.”
Whether it is through the Writing Center or student organizations, there is a place for everyone to feel supported at Iowa Law.