Kindness and Mentorship Shape Tulane Law Grad’s Journey

When August Simien reflects on his time at Tulane Law School, one word comes to mind: satisfying.

Simien, a Lake Charles native and Class of 2025 graduate, credits his father, an attorney and public servant, for inspiring his path to law school. "My father inspired me," he said. “I saw him advocating for people at a young age. I saw him serving in public office. He always taught me the importance of learning how to advocate on behalf of others and the importance of it.”

From the start, Simien fully embraced the opportunities at Tulane Law, excelling both in the classroom and in advocacy programs. He not only competed successfully in Moot Court, winning a regional championship as a 2L, but also returned to coach the next generation of students, leading them to a national championship victory.

"Coaching a winning team was incredibly fulfilling," Simien said. "It's one thing to be successful yourself. It's another thing to bring other people with you to be successful and represent the school well, and then move the program forward in the future.”

For Simien, Moot Court wasn't just an extracurricular, it was a defining part of his Tulane experience. When he visited Tulane as a prospective student, he met Reagan Roy (L'23), a Moot Court national champion, who took the time to mentor him that day and beyond. "It was a full-circle moment to now be the one mentoring others," Simien said.

Beyond advocacy, Simien also gained invaluable practical experience through internships. After his first year, he interned at Aaron & Gianna, a boutique law firm in New Orleans. Following his second year, he joined Adams & Reese as a summer associate after connecting with the firm through a professional development event he organized. That persistence and drive paid off—he will begin his career in Adams & Reese's litigation practice group in New Orleans after graduation.

Throughout his law school journey, one lesson has stood out: "Treat everyone with respect," he said. “When you're long gone, people don't always remember how well you performed in a certain class. They care about how you treated people. And if you always treat whoever with respect, whether it's the students, the faculty, the employees, if you just be kind to all of them, it really comes back to you at the end of the day.”