Law School Student Running For Mayor

Sam Perlman via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samformarlboro/

Law school is a difficult endeavor, but don't tell that to Boston College Law School student Samantha Perlman. She's running to be the next mayor of Marlborough, Massachusetts. As reported by National Jurist, Perlman sees a link between the work of law school and her political career:

Perlman has been preparing herself for a career as a civil rights advocate by pursuing a dual degree at Boston College Law School and Tufts University, with an emphasis on voting rights and environmental justice. She sees a connection between open democracy and a healthy environment and wants to do legal and civic work to promote underrepresented voices. That includes addressing some of the city's biggest challenges, including housing access, affordability, transportation, and environmental issues.

"Attending law school was about gaining additional skills to become a more nuanced and effective advocate in service to others," she said. "I am grateful, too, that my legal education allows me to add further value to the community that raised me."

Perlman believes she can balance the work of campaigning with her studies -- and she's got evidence for that confidence. She successfully ran for City Council -- Perlman's second -- during her first semester of law school. If she can juggle that notoriously difficult academic year with public service, the sky's the limit.

That optimism is also apparent in her statements about her campaign, "Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do something," she said. "If you are willing to put in the work, ask questions and stay focused, you will be unstoppable."

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon