A member of the Disability Law Society's leadership seeks a future in National Security Law within the government of Washington, D.C.
Kaitlin Sommer, a law student at Syracuse University, is carving out a unique path in the legal world. Graduating in 2026, Sommer is pursuing a career in national security law, with a distinct focus on integrating her passion for disability law.
Sommer's academic journey began at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she majored in political science. She later joined a 3+3 program with the College of Law, setting her on a course towards a future in law.
Currently, Sommer is working towards a Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism at Syracuse Law. Her commitment to this field is evident in her role as Co-President of the Disabled Law Students Association, where she strives to make the University a more supportive environment for disabled students.
Sommer's work reflects a perspective that bridges disability advocacy with national security issues. She aims to address the legal implications and protections related to disability within national security contexts, although specific projects or detailed goals in this intersection have not been elaborated.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Sommer has completed internships in Washington, D.C., focusing on national security, and she recently spent her summer interning with The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm, PLLC, in the nation's capital.
Sommer is also an active speaker, having presented at her alma mater's third annual Together RIT event, discussing Deaf culture, disability, and neurodiversity. She attended the Ms. JD Fall 2024 Leadership Academy Intensive at Harvard Law School, further honing her leadership skills.
Sommer's journey is not just about personal achievement. She hopes to be a positive example of a disabled lawyer who can better connect with her work through her life experiences. She believes that having a community like the Disability Law Society at the Law School has helped her feel less alone.
Sommer, along with co-president Emely Recinos, is working to make the Disability Law Society at Syracuse Law more vocal about disabled students' experiences and how the University can best support them. The society, which is a community for students with disabilities and their allies, seeks to establish permanent roots and have a noticeable space to make their voices heard.
In the future, Sommer hopes to live and work in Washington, D.C., continuing to make strides in the intersection of national security law and disability law. Her mentor, Professor Katherine Macfarlane, encourages her to advocate for what she wants and needs, a philosophy that Sommer embodies in her relentless pursuit of her goals.
Kaitlin Sommer's academic path includes not only legal studies but also skills training, such as her pursuit of a Certificate of Advanced Study in National Security and Counterterrorism at Syracuse Law. This education-and-self-development journey is extended to her personal growth, as evidenced by her role as Co-President of the Disabled Law Students Association, which promotes personal growth and career development for disabled students. In addition to her legal pursuits, Sommer's interests span beyond law, with a passion for sports, specifically football, as demonstrated by her active participation at various events discussing Deaf culture, disability, and neurodiversity.
