Elaine Tanuyan participated in the King County Bar Foundation’s second Future of the Law Institute (FLI) while attending Evergreen High School in 2003. Tanuyan reconnected with FLI during her final quarter as an undergraduate at Seattle University. She agreed to share her thoughts regarding the impact of FLI on her pursuit of higher education and her plans for the future with KCBA’s membership.
What inspired you to apply to FLI in high school?
I heard about FLI through a career introduction course in my sophomore year at Evergreen High School. The class encouraged students to attend FLI for any of us interested in the prospect of a career in the field of law. I had no previous knowledge of what a career in the field of law might be like, so I decided to attend, along with several students in my class.
Is there any part of the FLI program that has stuck with you over the years?
There were a number of things that have stayed with me even though it has been four years since attending the seminar. I met a lot of people during those two days and one speaker that really stuck out to me was Karen Murray. Hearing her story really just inspired me to take it upon myself to make a career in the legal field possible.
In addition, one memento I have kept since then was the FLI information booklet. From time to time, I flip through its pages to make sure I’m on a relatively steady track. One of my goals after I graduate is to finally work my way down the list of suggested readings in the manual.
When did you first know you wanted to go to college and what was your major at Seattle University?
Growing up, it was always assumed that I would go to college. I am not a first-generation college student. My father received his Associate in Nautical Science in the Philippines. It was clear that my parents wanted all of their children to prosper and a higher education would lead us to success. I am a political science/pre-law major at Seattle University.
With graduation coming up soon, what are your thoughts for life after college? Are you still considering any career path in the law?
I recently received my paralegal certification at Seattle Central Community College this summer and after I graduate I hope to begin my career in the legal field as a paralegal. I hope to attend law school at some point, but for now I would like to gain more experience and knowledge as a paralegal.
Is there anything else about you and your goals you’d like to share with our Bar Bulletin readers?
I am grateful for this opportunity to share my history with FLI and the King County Bar Association. FLI has opened up a great number of doors for me and I am glad that I was able to take advantage of those opportunities.
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FLI provides resources and inspiration to students of color and/or economic disadvantage with a desire to pursue higher education and learn more about the law. FLI is an affiliate of the King County Bar Foundation and has received the ABA Partnership Award, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association Diversity Dollars Award, the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Legal Fellowship Award, and the Asian Bar Association of Washington’s Program of the Year Award.
To learn more about how you can get involved in the Future of the Law Institute, visit www.futureofthelaw.org or contact KCBA Diversity Programs Manager Josh Isgur at JoshI@KCBA.org.
