Raghav Ahooja

Who are you? Tell us about yourself!
I am a Technology Law & Policy LL.M. at Georgetown Law and an IAPP Westin Scholar 2023 Awardee with a keen interest in privacy, artificial intelligence, and platform governance. I intend on working as an academic or a policy researcher in the educational or the non-profit field. More recently, I have been researching the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of decentralized social media platforms.

What drew you to Georgetown’s Tech LLM?
Georgetown Law was the only university I applied to in the US, solely because of its uniquely placed Tech Law & Policy LL.M. I honestly believe that Georgetown’s Tech Law & Policy program is probably the best in the US for folks like me who want to get a holistic domestic and international overview and an understanding of the tech law & policy ecosystem. With a wide range of courses to choose from and excellent professors to teach them, you would leave with a knowledge-laden brain and a heavy heart, because of how much you get attached to the place in just a matter of 9 months.

What have you enjoyed most about your experience here?
Never thought I would say this – but my classes and professors! The Tech Law & Policy LL.M. cohort is relatively smaller than those of other programs and that works to our advantage because professors tend to give you personalized attention and feedback. However, since Georgetown Law is a top school, it is quite competitive and sometimes it might not be that easy at first to settle in and adjust to the fast-paced environment – but with excellent administrative and peer-support that Georgetown offers, you will eventually find your place.

What are you looking forward to most about your Westin Scholar Award?
Treating my parents who will be coming for my graduation with a lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant in DC with the cash prize I received! But the nerd in me tends to think – getting the IAPP/US and other certifications done free of cost!

What advice do you have for students who share your interests in tech law and policy?
Never miss a class, unless there are exigent circumstances! You’ll regret it later. No matter how early the class is, wake up on time and be punctual. Interact with professors as much as you can, both inside and outside the classroom. Apply for research assistantships, but my personal advice would be to do that in Spring not Fall, as it becomes hard to cope up with classes and work as an RA at the same time in my experience. Second thing I would say is, just have fun! It’s not all work – we have the Wednesday Wind Downs and other social activities where you can network both informally with peers and formally with professionals and potential recruiters.

What other interests do you have outside of law?
In my free time, I indulge in poetry, binge-watch shows like The Bear, Succession, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and of late treat myself with a Wong Kar-wai movie at midnight. I also like curating underground indie-music and like making playlists for people I like. I also like playing soccer.

Nate Kim

Who are you? Tell us about yourself!
I’m a policy analyst at the Privacy Branch of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs during the day, and a part-time student at Georgetown by night. Before coming to DC for work and school, I earned my Master’s in Public Policy degree at the Harvard Kennedy School, where I focused my studies and research on cybersecurity policy and the Internet of Things. I’m broadly interested in how existing laws interact with emerging technologies, and for the past several years my focus has been on information privacy.

What drew you to the Tech Law Scholars Program?
Knowing that I wanted to focus on the intersection of law and technological innovation throughout my time at Georgetown, I viewed the Tech Law Scholars program as a great opportunity to connect with other students interested in issues of tech policy and get plugged into Georgetown’s Tech Institute. Joining the TLS community was a no-brainer decision.

What have you enjoyed most about your experience here?
The friendships I’ve made with my amazing sectionmates — Section 7 is the undisputed best section. The happy hours, evening student prom, and various hangouts that evening students have organized kept me sane through my craziest weeks of work-by-day-school-by-night life.

What are you looking forward to most about your Westin Scholar Award?
To be honest, I had never really considered taking the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) exams before, but with the Westin Scholar Award allowing me to earn three different CIPPs, I’m excited to deepen my knowledge of privacy law and policy in various contexts as I study for (and hopefully earn!) my CIPP certifications. I also look forward to being a part of a great cohort of fellow Westin Scholars.

What advice do you have for students who share your interests in tech law and policy?
There’s so much work to be done, and you’re at the right place to learn more about how you can help. Join communities to share news and ideas, take faculty to coffee or tea to hear about their latest research, and hang around the Tech Institute for events that will expose you to some amazing people and opportunities (and free food)!

What other interests do you have outside of law?
I love good stories, whether in books or on the screen; discovering new movies and shows with my wife is one of my favorite pastimes. I also play video games to unwind and stay in touch with friends.