Leah 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!