A Passion for Public Service

BY ABDIEL LEWIS J.D. ’21

I was fortunate to join the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—Western Region San Francisco office—as a consumer protection attorney right out of law school after graduating in 2021. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to lead a COVID-19 Act investigation that I am now litigating in federal court. I am incredibly lucky to work with colleagues who help mentor and guide me through my many firsts as an attorney. As a former FTC intern, I now serve as co-chair of the office’s internship program, where I have the pleasure of supervising smart, skillful, and hard-working law students each semester. After my first year at the FTC, I was awarded the agency’s Stephen A. Nye Award, which recognizes new attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding performance and exceeded what is expected of a new legal practitioner. I am grateful to be in a position where my work makes a difference in people’s lives, and I am appreciated for the work that I do every day.

The Federal Trade Commission is an independent federal agency with a mission to protect consumers and preserve competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education. The FTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has eight regional offices across the country. With the agency’s mission and broad reach in mind, a day in the life of an FTC attorney can differ drastically from day to day. From investigating a company’s deceptive practices, to educating communities about how to protect themselves and loved ones from scams and identity theft, to litigating in federal or administrative court—there are many avenues FTC attorneys can take to accomplish the goals of the agency. I enjoy the variety and the countless opportunities to learn and grow as an attorney at the agency.

I have fond memories of my time at Charney Hall and found it incredibly important to be involved as a student while at Santa Clara Law. I remember participating in Honors Moot Court Internal (HMCI) my 2L year, honing my legal research, writing, public speaking, and oral advocacy skills. I was recently tasked with preparing for a motion hearing, and the skills I learned in HMCI made me feel that much more confident about my preparation. I was involved in several law student organizations during law school, including the American Constitution Society (ACS) Student Chapter, where we would put on events that facilitated discussions of progressive public policy ideas and issues. I am now a board member of the ACS Bay Area Lawyer Chapter, where we continue to facilitate progressive discourse within the Bay Area and beyond.

I would not be the lawyer and civil servant I am today without the relationships, experiences, and skills I gained as a Santa Clara Law student. I decided on law school because I am passionate about public service, and earning a J.D. was the perfect vehicle for me to pursue my passion. Now that I am almost two years into my dream job, I am confident that choosing Santa Clara Law was the best decision I could have made to start my legal career.