Tulane Law Grad's Journey Underscores the Importance of Finding Your Voice

When Katie Chong arrived at Tulane Law School, she didn’t know what kind of law she wanted to practice—or even what civil law and common law meant.

“I didn’t understand what the law was,” she said.

But over the course of her three years at Tulane, Chong found her way and her voice.

A first-generation college and law student, Chong described her law school experience in one word: overwhelming. “But in the most positive way,” she said.  

During her second year, Chong took a leap and tried out for the Tulane Mock Trial Program, despite having no public speaking experience. “I was terrified and I just did it. And I got on the team and I really liked it,” she said.

Mock trial became a turning point. “I learned how to zealously advocate for others, but also zealously for myself.”

That lesson—of not forgetting to advocate for yourself—was one that Chong said she would carry with her well beyond graduation.

“As lawyers, we have to zealously advocate for our clients,” she said. “But not to the exclusion of zealously advocating for ourselves.”

Chong also discovered an unexpected passion while at Tulane: maritime law. “Tulane has the best maritime program in the world,” she said. “And I found my love for that. So, it turns out that Tulane Law is actually the only place for me.”

After graduation, Chong will be staying in New Orleans and practicing law at Frilot LLC. “I think I’ve really found my roots in New Orleans,” she said.

From learning the basics of the law to developing a focus in maritime law, Chong has made the most of her time at Tulane—and is ready for what comes next.