Weekend plans
Loyola's nationally ranked part-time JD program attracts working professionals, including Lauren Segal, Brian Sullivan, Emily Boevers, John Michael Anzilotti, and Nancy Huynh.
Weekend plans
Loyola’s top-ranked, part-time JD program caters to busy professionals
For students seeking a part-time law school experience, Loyola is among the best. The nationally ranked program (#11 according to U.S. News & World Report) attracts working professionals, parents, and out-of-state students seeking a flexible but rigorous curriculum. We asked five students in the Weekend JD program to share their journeys so far.
Emily Boevers, an ob-gyn in Iowa, has a passion for policy, particularly regarding health care access and equity in rural areas, which made her want to learn the law.
“The Program is Exactly What I Hoped it Would Be”
Name: Emily Boevers, MD
Occupation and location: Ob-gyn in rural Iowa
How she got here: In college, Boevers read the book Damages about a medical malpractice suit. That story prompted Boevers’ lifelong curiosity about the intersections of health care with law, government, and society. Her passion for effecting policy change, particularly regarding health care access and equity in rural areas, made her think about law school. “I wanted to have it all,” Boevers says. “I love the direct care aspect of being a physician, but I need a legal background to accomplish the other work that I want to do. That’s why I’m going for my JD.”
Wow factor: On Loyola weekends, Boevers drives 90 minutes to the nearest airport for a 6 am flight to Chicago. On non-Loyola weekends, she’s typically on call and “momming” (she has three young children). During the weekdays, Boevers sees patients and juggles additional call nights. “I drink a lot of coffee,” she says.
“I love the direct care aspect of being a physician, but I need a legal background to accomplish the other work that I want to do.”
Hot take: “It truly is possible to have a long-term, longitudinal, immersive law education. I have been so blown away by the quality of the teaching and the level of individualized student attention in our cohort. The program is exactly what I hoped it would be.”
Nancy Huynh works in government and thought a JD could “open a lot of doors that I didn’t even know existed.”
“The Alumni Network is Amazing”
Name: Nancy Huynh
Occupation and location: Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the Office of the Illinois Governor in Chicago
How she got here: Huynh, a first-generation student who majored in philosophy and found her dream career working for Governor J.B. Pritzker, says she avoided law school as long as possible. “It’s a huge commitment, and it’s expensive,” she explains. But as her career progressed, Huynh started seeing how a JD could “open a lot of doors that I didn’t even know existed.” Now, she’s setting exciting career goals for the future: “I would love to be on a general counsel team one day.”
“Whenever I tell alumni that I’m a student, they immediately ask, ‘How can I help? What do you need?’”
Wow factor: When the Democratic National Convention came to Chicago in August, Huynh worked long hours behind the scenes all week. The DNC ended on Thursday, and she had law school orientation on Friday. “I was delirious,” she says. “There are pockets of Friday that I don’t even remember!”
Hot take: “The alumni network is amazing. Anytime I’m talking to lawyers who are Loyola graduates, they are so proud. And it’s almost like we have a little bit of grit compared to other law schools. Loyola is down to earth. Whenever I tell alumni that I’m a student, they immediately ask, ‘How can I help? What do you need?’”
Firefighter Brian Sullivan wasn’t sure how to find time to earn a law degree until he learned about the Weekend JD program.
“The Tutors Have Been So Helpful”
Name: Brian Sullivan
Occupation and location: Firefighter in Chicago
How he got here: Sullivan, a Loyola University Chicago alumnus, always thought he might obtain a JD. But as a firefighter who works 24 hours on, 48 hours off, he wasn’t sure how he could make it happen—until he learned about the Weekend JD program. Now, when Sullivan heads out the door, his 5-year-old son often asks, “Are you going to the firehouse? Or are you going to school?” Inspired by his courses in criminal procedure and rules of evidence, Sullivan hopes to become a criminal defense attorney.
“Everyone in my class knows I always go to the tutoring sessions! The tutors have been so helpful.”
Wow factor: As a member of Local 2, the Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Sullivan brought his law school experience to a recent review of the union’s contract. “There was a terrible definition in the contract,” he says. “I explained that adding two words would make the term crystal clear, and we really needed to do that.” Union leaders agreed that the language should be changed.
Hot take: “I’ve battled with dyslexia my entire life, so I was very concerned [about starting law school]. I hadn’t taken any classes in a long time, so I couldn’t believe it when they said there would be tutors available. Everyone in my class knows I always go to the tutoring sessions! The tutors have been so helpful.”
Prior to entering the patent and IP world, Lauren Segal earned a BS in integrative biology, a master’s degree in soil microbiology, and a PhD in plant pathology/fungal genetics.
“My Cohort is Incredible”
Name: Lauren Segal, PhD
Occupation and location: Patent agent at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP in Chicago
How she got here: In a prior role as a tech manager at a university, Segal discovered that she loved intellectual property (IP) work. She joined a patent firm to pursue this interest and soon met a Weekend JD student who accurately predicted that one day Segal would want to return to school for her JD. “This degree will open up my ability to do more litigation, which I think will be fun,” Segal says. “But more importantly, I will be able to do pro bono work with my firm. That keeps me motivated during the tough weeks. I’m very big on social justice, and Loyola’s reputation also impacted my decision to enroll.”
“There’s a real lack of competitiveness among us. We help each other study; no one is hoarding answers.”
Wow factor: Prior to entering the patent and IP world, Segal earned a BS in integrative biology, a master’s degree in soil microbiology, and a PhD in plant pathology/fungal genetics.
Hot take: “My cohort is incredible. They’re all so intelligent and hardworking. Some of them have kids, all of them have full-time jobs. There’s a real lack of competitiveness among us. We help each other study; no one is hoarding answers. We always say, ‘Let’s make it difficult for the professor to have a curve. Let’s all do great.’ And I’ve made friends for life.”
As a paralegal specialist at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., John Michael Anzilotti is focused on international law.
“The Sense of Community is What I’ve Liked the Most”
Name: John Michael Anzilotti
Occupation and Location: Paralegal specialist in the Office of the Legal Adviser, United Nations Affairs at U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.
How he got here: Anzilotti’s resume reveals his passion for international affairs and conflict resolution: Seven years at the U.S. State Department; an LLM in transnational crime and justice through the University of Peace, a United Nations institution; and an MS in transnational crime and justice from American University. But working full-time while obtaining his master’s in the evening had been challenging. For law school, Anzilotti wanted a different approach. Loyola’s intensive weekend schedule and social justice mission made it the right fit.
“The sense of community is what I’ve liked the most in each class and in the entire WJD cohort.”
Wow factor: Before enrolling, Anzilotti spoke with Dean Michèle Alexandre about his intention to focus on international law. “We had a really good conversation,” Anzilotti says. Little did he know that he would end up traveling with Dean Alexandre many months later for the Rome Program. “It was very intense, and very worthwhile,” Anzilotti says. Shortly thereafter, Anzilotti headed to The Hague for a summer program through Duke University School of Law. “Loyola made it easy for all my credits to transfer, so that was amazing,” he says.
Hot take: “The sense of community is what I’ve liked the most in each class and in the entire WJD cohort. It’s something I haven’t experienced in any of my other universities.” –Kelsey Schagemann (December 2024)
For students seeking a part-time law school experience, Loyola is among the best. The nationally ranked program (#11 according to U.S. News & World Report) attracts working professionals, parents, and out-of-state students seeking a flexible but rigorous curriculum. We asked five students in the Weekend JD program to share their journeys so far.
“The Program is Exactly What I Hoped it Would Be”
Name: Emily Boevers, MD
Occupation and location: Ob-gyn in rural Iowa
How she got here: In college, Boevers read the book Damages about a medical malpractice suit. That story prompted Boevers’ lifelong curiosity about the intersections of health care with law, government, and society. Her passion for effecting policy change, particularly regarding health care access and equity in rural areas, made her think about law school. “I wanted to have it all,” Boevers says. “I love the direct care aspect of being a physician, but I need a legal background to accomplish the other work that I want to do. That’s why I’m going for my JD.”
Wow factor: On Loyola weekends, Boevers drives 90 minutes to the nearest airport for a 6 am flight to Chicago. On non-Loyola weekends, she’s typically on call and “momming” (she has three young children). During the weekdays, Boevers sees patients and juggles additional call nights. “I drink a lot of coffee,” she says.
Hot take: “It truly is possible to have a long-term, longitudinal, immersive law education. I have been so blown away by the quality of the teaching and the level of individualized student attention in our cohort. The program is exactly what I hoped it would be.”
“The Alumni Network is Amazing”
Name: Nancy Huynh
Occupation and location: Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the Office of the Illinois Governor in Chicago
How she got here: Huynh, a first-generation student who majored in philosophy and found her dream career working for Governor J.B. Pritzker, says she avoided law school as long as possible. “It’s a huge commitment, and it’s expensive,” she explains. But as her career progressed, Huynh started seeing how a JD could “open a lot of doors that I didn’t even know existed.” Now, she’s setting exciting career goals for the future: “I would love to be on a general counsel team one day.”
Wow factor: When the Democratic National Convention came to Chicago in August, Huynh worked long hours behind the scenes all week. The DNC ended on Thursday, and she had law school orientation on Friday. “I was delirious,” she says. “There are pockets of Friday that I don’t even remember!”
Hot take: “The alumni network is amazing. Anytime I’m talking to lawyers who are Loyola graduates, they are so proud. And it’s almost like we have a little bit of grit compared to other law schools. Loyola is down to earth. Whenever I tell alumni that I’m a student, they immediately ask, ‘How can I help? What do you need?’”
“The Tutors Have Been So Helpful”
Name: Brian Sullivan
Occupation and location: Firefighter in Chicago
How he got here: Sullivan, a Loyola University Chicago alumnus, always thought he might obtain a JD. But as a firefighter who works 24 hours on, 48 hours off, he wasn’t sure how he could make it happen—until he learned about the Weekend JD program. Now, when Sullivan heads out the door, his 5-year-old son often asks, “Are you going to the firehouse? Or are you going to school?” Inspired by his courses in criminal procedure and rules of evidence, Sullivan hopes to become a criminal defense attorney.
Wow factor: As a member of Local 2, the Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Sullivan brought his law school experience to a recent review of the union’s contract. “There was a terrible definition in the contract,” he says. “I explained that adding two words would make the term crystal clear, and we really needed to do that.” Union leaders agreed that the language should be changed.
Hot take: “I’ve battled with dyslexia my entire life, so I was very concerned [about starting law school]. I hadn’t taken any classes in a long time, so I couldn’t believe it when they said there would be tutors available. Everyone in my class knows I always go to the tutoring sessions! The tutors have been so helpful.”
“My Cohort is Incredible”
Name: Lauren Segal, PhD
Occupation and location: Patent agent at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP in Chicago
How she got here: In a prior role as a tech manager at a university, Segal discovered that she loved intellectual property (IP) work. She joined a patent firm to pursue this interest and soon met a Weekend JD student who accurately predicted that one day Segal would want to return to school for her JD. “This degree will open up my ability to do more litigation, which I think will be fun,” Segal says. “But more importantly, I will be able to do pro bono work with my firm. That keeps me motivated during the tough weeks. I’m very big on social justice, and Loyola’s reputation also impacted my decision to enroll.”
Wow factor: Prior to entering the patent and IP world, Segal earned a BS in integrative biology, a master’s degree in soil microbiology, and a PhD in plant pathology/fungal genetics.
Hot take: “My cohort is incredible. They’re all so intelligent and hardworking. Some of them have kids, all of them have full-time jobs. There’s a real lack of competitiveness among us. We help each other study; no one is hoarding answers. We always say, ‘Let’s make it difficult for the professor to have a curve. Let’s all do great.’ And I’ve made friends for life.”
“The Sense of Community is What I’ve Liked the Most”
Name: John Michael Anzilotti
Occupation and Location: Paralegal specialist in the Office of the Legal Adviser, United Nations Affairs at U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.
How he got here: Anzilotti’s resume reveals his passion for international affairs and conflict resolution: Seven years at the U.S. State Department; an LLM in transnational crime and justice through the University of Peace, a United Nations institution; and an MS in transnational crime and justice from American University. But working full-time while obtaining his master’s in the evening had been challenging. For law school, Anzilotti wanted a different approach. Loyola’s intensive weekend schedule and social justice mission made it the right fit.
Wow factor: Before enrolling, Anzilotti spoke with Dean Michèle Alexandre about his intention to focus on international law. “We had a really good conversation,” Anzilotti says. Little did he know that he would end up traveling with Dean Alexandre many months later for the Rome Program. “It was very intense, and very worthwhile,” Anzilotti says. Shortly thereafter, Anzilotti headed to The Hague for a summer program through Duke University School of Law. “Loyola made it easy for all my credits to transfer, so that was amazing,” he says.
Hot take: “The sense of community is what I’ve liked the most in each class and in the entire WJD cohort. It’s something I haven’t experienced in any of my other universities.” –Kelsey Schagemann (December 2024)