Meet Our Students: FCBA Diversity Pipeline Program Participants Leah DeFreitas and Bhawna Motwani

August 30, 2024

Get to know Leah DeFreitas (L'26) and Bhawna Motwani (L'26).

Leah DeFreitas' headshotLeah DeFreitas

Who are you? Tell us about yourself!

Hi, I’m Leah DeFreitas! I am a 2L at Georgetown University Law Center. I came to law school with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!).

What drew you to the Tech Law Scholars program?

In journalism school, I studied how emerging technology was changing the way we communicate and distribute information. It’s affecting elections, news consumption, health and safety, and every aspect of our lives. This fascination with the intersection of technology and information led me to pursue a law degree with a focus on technology law and policy.

Georgetown’s Tech Law Scholars program caught my attention because it aligned perfectly with my interests and career goals. The traditional 1L schedule offers less opportunity to explore specialized practice areas, and this program was the perfect place to learn about options for my career path related to my background and interests. It is so exciting to see my classmates in the program go on to accomplish amazing things in the tech law space.

Tell us about your summer internship! What tech law experience did you gain from your work at T-Mobile?

During my summer internship at T-Mobile’s Government Affairs office in DC, I gained valuable hands-on experience in telecommunications law and policy. I had the opportunity to compose state public utility commission filings, which gave me insight into the regulatory landscape of the telecom industry. I was very excited to help track emerging artificial intelligence legislation, which assisted T-Mobile with its AI legal task force efforts. I also wrote a memorandum analyzing the impact of Supreme Court decisions on the telecommunications industry, which deepened my understanding of how judicial decisions shape the tech landscape.

How did the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) Diversity Pipeline Program help you in your internship search?

Through the Federal Communications Bar Association Diversity Pipeline Program, I completed a Certification in Technology, Media, & Telecommunications (TMT) Law & Policy. This certification likely played a crucial role in my internship search by connecting me with practitioners in the TMT space and providing access to highly specialized classes. It also demonstrated my commitment to technology law and policy, which likely made me a stronger candidate for internships like the one at T-Mobile.

What do you hope to get involved in during your second year at Georgetown Law?

This upcoming year, I am excited about my internship with NBCUniversal’s Government Affairs department, where I’ll get more exposure to the content side of media and technology law. I’ll also be serving as Vice President for the Georgetown Art Law Association. Outside of school, I’ll be volunteering for the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Annual Convention and the FCBA Charity Auction. Most of all, I am looking forward to mentoring incoming 1Ls through the RISE program and the Tech Law Scholars program.

What interests do you have outside of law?

Outside of law school, you can find me trying new recipes, collecting cookbooks, going to trivia, kayaking, practicing yoga and Pilates, or looking for the best rooftop sunset in DC!

Bhawna Motwani's headshotBhawna Motwani

Who are you? Tell us about yourself!

I grew up in Bhopal, India, a city renowned for its greenery and lakes. As a child, I loved learning about how things worked, which led me to pursue physics in college. Inspired by the astronaut Kalpana Chawla, I sought to delve deeper into the cosmos and immigrated to the United States to pursue graduate studies in astrophysics at Caltech. Prior to law school, my research focused on modeling astrophysical phenomena at different spatio-temporal scales, from the formation of solar systems to the evolution of galaxies. As a scientist at heart, I’ve always been drawn to understanding the intricacies of complex systems. Now, as a law student, I seek to unravel the complex world of law, and in the long term, apply my unique scientific perspective to shaping policies that can anticipate and address the challenges of the digital age.

What drew you to the Tech Law Scholars program?

Honestly, curiosity. The intersection of law and technology has always intrigued me. My background in physics has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of mathematical models and their ability to explain complex phenomena. I believe that law shares a similar approach, utilizing legal doctrines as frameworks to analyze and understand human interactions. I really enjoy pressure testing the primitives underlying the doctrines we are learning about, and their robustness in a technologically advancing society. As part of Georgetown’s Tech Law Scholars program, I hope to gain an understanding of the legal landscape surrounding emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and its impact on other areas of law such as intellectual property.

Tell us about your summer internship at Crown Castle! What tech law experience did you gain from your work?

My summer at Crown Castle provided me invaluable insights into the nuances of telecommunications law. I gained a deeper understanding of the complex regulatory landscape that governs the industry, particularly in cellular infrastructure deployment, including the patchwork of federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, I had the opportunity to explore the legislative process in this domain, and learn how to engage directly with lawmakers as well as regulatory agencies like the Federal Communications Commission. I had a fantastic mentor, who really took me under his wing and connected me with several influential attorneys in the field. Overall, the experience really solidified my interest in pursuing a career in tech law.

How did the FCBA Diversity Pipeline Program help you in your internship search?

The FCBA Diversity Pipeline Program was instrumental in helping me land my internship. The program not only included access to fantastic employers, but also learning opportunities like the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) Law & Policy Certificate Program which helped me develop a solid foundation in TMT law prior to the start of my internship. Additionally, the DPP Summer Series lectures gave me a platform to connect with other interns and served as a source of continued guidance throughout my internship, ensuring that I had the tools I needed to succeed in the legal profession.

What do you hope to get involved in during your second year at Georgetown Law?

This year, I am excited to deepen my understanding of AI policy and digital governance. I am particularly looking forward to my externship at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, where I’ll be directly involved in Congressional engagements on AI-focused policy proposals. Additionally, I’m thrilled to be working with Professor Julie Cohen on regulatory frameworks for digital platforms and decentralized blockchain networks. Aside from these endeavors, my hope is to continue enhancing my legal knowledge and writing skills throughout my second year, and make friends and memories while I’m at it.

What interests do you have outside of law?

Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a fondness for the arts and nature. Growing up, I trained in Indian classical dance, and my love for dancing further flourished as I picked up Salsa and West Coast Swing during my time in California. During the pandemic, I discovered I had a green thumb and started gardening — so much so that my patio had over thirty varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers, and my house today continues to be chock-full of plants and gardening tools. When I’m not immersed in law or hobbies, you might find me enjoying jazz music with a cup of tea, or challenging my husband to a friendly board game paired with a glass of bubbly.