Creative Law Showcase

My name is Shahad Alani, and I am originally from Baghdad, Iraq. I am fluent in Arabic and English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in Arabic. I chose to study law because the field fascinates me, and I am passionate about helping people who feel they don't have a voice when facing difficult situations.

My showcased work examines contract law and how it applies differently depending on the circumstances. Through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate when a person can and cannot take legal action. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between legal reasoning as shown in TV dramas and the broader themes of justice, society, and the law.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be to make legal protection more accessible for those who are less fortunate, especially when it comes to entering contracts that could negatively affect their lives. I am deeply grateful for my education, and I hope my work contributes to the ongoing dialogue about how creativity and law can intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Annastazia Alfarano, and I am originally from Endicott, New York, born and raised. I am fluent in English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in English. I chose to pursue the study of law because I always wanted to help people in a bigger way and hated seeing people treated unfairly. I am particularly passionate about legal aid clinics and pro bono work.

My showcased work examines precedent and discretion, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate that a person does not need to be a super genius, or a certain age, or race, or gender, or sexuality in order to understand how the law works. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between sports and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be to help out public defenders so they are not as overworked and more people are able to benefit from their aid. I am grateful for the legal opportunities I am able to receive through the University at Buffalo, such as mock trial and electives to help me figure out my concentration, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Michael Auty, and I am originally from Long Island. I am fluent in English and Ecuadorian, although I was never taught Spanish, which is why my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in Microsoft PowerPoint only in English. I wish I had been taught Spanish, but unfortunately, I wasn't.

I chose to pursue the study of law because, growing up, I often had difficult experiences with teachers accusing me of doing things I hadn't done. Although I can't expand too much on those situations, they shaped me in meaningful ways and sparked my interest in understanding justice, fairness, and the legal system. This background has made me particularly passionate about criminal law.

My showcased work examines Chapter 7: The Challenges of Legal Realism. Through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate legal concepts and how they apply to real-world scenarios. My work focuses on how judges think, reason, and interpret facts, as well as how legal realism influences decision-making. This piece reflects my interest in the connections between criminal law and broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

My name is Nicharee Cokic. I moved from Thailand to the United States in 2017, and I am fluent in both Thai and English. I am currently a third-year student at the University at Buffalo. I chose to study law because I find the field intricate, challenging, and incredibly interesting. While I am still unsure about becoming a lawyer, if I were to choose a path, I would love to work in immigration law. Because of my own experience as an immigrant, I want to help families the same way my immigration lawyer helped me obtain my citizenship.

For the Law Showcase, my artwork is a political cartoon that aims to illustrate the current state of our administration. I am, and will always be, deeply grateful to my mother, my family, and my friends for supporting me and helping me reach where I am today.

My name is Doralis Gannon, and I am originally from Buffalo, NY. I am fluent in Spanish and English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in English. I chose to pursue the study of law because I wanted to make a difference in our legal system and make sure everyone receives justice, and I am particularly passionate about helping those in our community who might not be sure how to voice their needs.

My showcased work examines Holmes’s view on the good and bad lawyers, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate how those views connect to our real-life examples of lawyers. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between the media and legal themes and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be to expand education for more people who may be unable to receive further education. I am grateful for my family, generation honors friends, and the opportunities Professor Lellis gives us to express ourselves, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Tanaisha Green, and I am originally from the Bronx, NY. I am fluent in English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in English. I chose to pursue the study of law because I've always cared about fairness and making sure everyone's voice is heard, even those who are often overlooked. I am particularly passionate about advocating for others and my own personal growth and independence.

My showcased work examines Contracts, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate how the law protects people and holds them accountable through agreements. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between law, fairness, and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be a world where fairness guides decisions and people are treated with respect, no matter their circumstances. I am grateful for my ability to stay focused, think critically, and care about doing what is right. I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire!

My name is Justin He, and I am originally from China. I am fluent in both English and Chinese, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in English. I chose to study law because I want to build a successful future for myself, and I enjoy learning interesting and important things about the legal system. I am particularly passionate about gaining legal knowledge and staying active through exercise.

My showcased work focuses on Contract Law. Through my artistic expression, I aim to communicate that a valid contract does not always need to be written—promises and actions can also form enforceable agreements. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between morality, justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could make one meaningful change in the world, it would be to eliminate social status differences so that everyone could be treated equally. I am grateful for every professor who has taught me legal concepts and helped me move forward on my path to studying law. I hope that my work contributes to the conversation about how creativity and law can intersect to deepen understanding and inspire meaningful change.

My name is Yurii Kilochko, and I am originally from Ukraine. I came to the United States to build a better future, and I now live in Monticello, New York. My experience as an immigrant has shaped who I am today, it has taught me to work hard, stay focused, and persevere through challenges.

I am currently studying law because I want to understand how the legal system works and use that knowledge to help others. I am especially interested in supporting immigrants, students, and families who face language or cultural barriers.

I speak Ukrainian, Russian, and English; I understand Polish and Belarusian; and I am currently learning Chinese. These languages allow me to connect with a wide range of communities and better serve people from diverse backgrounds.

My long-term goal is to become a lawyer who can guide others, protect their rights, and make a meaningful impact. Everything I am doing now—my studies, language learning, and community involvement—is helping me move closer to that future.

My name is Shahad Alani, and I am originally from Baghdad, Iraq. I am fluent in Arabic and English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in Arabic. I chose to study law because the field fascinates me, and I am passionate about helping people who feel they don't have a voice when facing difficult situations.

My showcased work examines contract law and how it applies differently depending on the circumstances. Through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate when a person can and cannot take legal action. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between legal reasoning as shown in TV dramas and the broader themes of justice, society, and the law.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be to make legal protection more accessible for those who are less fortunate, especially when it comes to entering contracts that could negatively affect their lives. I am deeply grateful for my education, and I hope my work contributes to the ongoing dialogue about how creativity and law can intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Kacie Lucas, and I am originally from New Jersey. I chose to study law because I want to help transform the way our system understands and delivers justice, and to contribute to bringing true and honest justice into the world. I am particularly passionate about criminal law and pursuing a deeper understanding of legal principles in order to promote divine law, order, and justice.

My showcased work examines the meaning of true justice and divine law. Through my artistic expression, I aim to highlight the importance of understanding historical patterns that shape legal precedents. The strong message behind all three art pieces I created is to illustrate how justice and historical power influence our world today. This work reflects my interest in the connection between law, art, and broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

My name is Nowshin Marzan, and I am originally from Bangladesh. I am fluent in Bangla and Rohingya/Chittagong, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in English and Bangla. I chose to pursue the study of law because I want to support underserved communities and help build systems where fairness is accessible to everyone, not a privilege. I am particularly passionate about understanding people, their stories, challenges, and the ways their experiences shape the meaning of justice.

My showcased work examines the evolution of common law as a living legal tradition, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate how law grows, adapts, and responds to society's changing needs. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between human experience and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be removing the structural barriers that limit people's opportunities before they even begin. I am grateful for the support of my family, teachers, mentors, friends, and classmates, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Farah Mused, and I'm from Seattle, Washington. I am fluent in both Arabic and English. Choosing to study law didn't come from one single reason; rather, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue higher education, and I want to use this privilege to give back to my community. By studying law—especially immigration law—I hope to provide others with the same opportunities that were given to me.

I have always loved helping people whenever I had the chance. Whether it was assisting an elderly neighbor, volunteering at a local masjid, or taking on babysitting jobs, supporting others has always been something I am passionate about. In my free time, I love to paint. It relaxes me, keeps my mind focused, and helps ease the stress of exams. For my Law Showcase piece, I wrote a poem based on Chapter 9: Judicial Opinions, connecting it to concepts from Thinking Like a Lawyer by Frederick Schauer. My work explores judicial reasoning, the power of language, and the distinction between holdings and dicta.

As a first-generation American born and raised in the United States, I have witnessed many of the world's injustices related to race, religion, and ethnicity. If I could change one thing in the world, it would be to eliminate discrimination based on these differences. Throughout my life, my parents have been by my side as my greatest supporters. Their sacrifices have given me every opportunity I have today, and I am forever grateful. One day, I hope to give back to them everything they deserve.

My name is Isabella Palen, and I am originally from Syracuse, New York. I am fluent in English and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was presented in English as well. I chose to pursue the study of law because of my interest in how law can effectively respond to real-world challenges, specifically on a global scale, and I am particularly passionate about how law can directly aid those affected by violence or human rights violations throughout the world.

My showcased work examines the use of precedent and “playbooks” in both law and sports, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate how law can take many different forms—in this case, in sports. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between the legal usage of precedent and its application in unlikely aspects of day-to-day life, as well as the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be in human rights—whether that's on a domestic or international level, any progress in defending human rights or standing against mass violence would be meaningful to me. I am grateful for my family and support system at school, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Shabnam Sanai, and I am originally from Iran, and I moved to Buffalo, New York, in 2019. I am fluent in Persian and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was created in Persian. I chose to pursue the study of law because I have always been drawn to the pursuit of justice and to standing up for those who may not always be able to stand up for themselves, and I am particularly passionate about fairness, truth, and the belief that every person deserves to be heard.

My showcased work examines legal concepts of Precedent, Analogy, Rule, Authority, and Common Law, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate emotion, balance, and the need for simplicity in a world that can often feel overwhelming. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between music and legal concepts and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be to create a system where justice is truly equal for everyone, free from discrimination, and grounded in respect and peace, no matter where people come from. I am grateful for the opportunities I have, the support of my family and friends, and the strength that guides me as I work toward my future career as a lawyer, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.

My name is Lewhat Woldu, and I am originally from Eritrea, but have been raised in Buffalo my entire life. I am fluent in English, and my artistic contribution to the Creative Law Showcase was generated through AI, with a template my partner and I created. I chose to pursue the study of law because as a young woman I have always been interested in the criminal justice system, and I am particularly passionate about restoring justice.

My showcased work examines methods of legal reasoning, and through my artistic expression, I aim to explore and communicate the different paths of reasoning that are included in a legal decision. This piece reflects my interest in the connection between how legal decisions are formed and the broader themes of justice, society, and legal reasoning.

If I could influence one meaningful change in the world, it would be the perception of education. I am grateful for my education, and I hope that my work contributes to the dialogue on how creativity and law intersect to shape understanding and inspire change.