CCAS alumna and Litigation Associate Attorney Madeline Bardi, BA ‘15, discusses her career journey and proudest accomplishments, offering advice for current GW students interested in the legal field.
“Whether it be through volunteering at a Philadelphia homeless shelter on Christmas or supporting refugee families in our community, the acts of service I grew up witnessing and being a part of were a major influence on me and the career path I chose.”
Madeline Bardi
BA ‘15
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
I grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA. My parents, who worked in health care, always instilled a sense of service in me and my siblings. Whether it be through volunteering at a Philadelphia homeless shelter on Christmas or supporting refugee families in our community, the acts of service I grew up witnessing and being a part of were a major influence on me and the career path I chose.
Did you receive a scholarship at GW? How did your scholarship help you succeed?
I received a merit scholarship to GW. That support definitely made a difference and allowed me to pursue a graduate degree.
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
I am a litigation associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, primarily working in government investigations and white-collar defense. My pro bono practice is focused on juvenile justice and criminal justice reform. It is truly rewarding to fight for justice for my clients each day.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
I am incredibly proud of the pro bono work I've done that supports juvenile justice efforts in Louisiana. In one of our cases, we recently won a new trial for our client who has been incarcerated for decades. As a teenager, our client was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. After our team uncovered key, exculpatory evidence that the prosecution never turned over to the defense during the original trial, we were able to win a new trial for our client and are continuing to work to secure his freedom.
I'm also proud of the cases I've worked on - and justice we've secured - for clients in the white-collar space. This summer, we secured a dismissal of an 11-count indictment against our client after four years of complex, post-indictment litigation. Extensive motions practice and evidentiary hearings ultimately revealed critical evidence that the government failed to investigate throughout the course of the prosecution - and how those investigative failures impacted our client's right to a fair trial. I will always remember that case as one where we fought for our client’s constitutional rights at each step of the way, and where justice finally prevailed.
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
Studying political science in the heart of Washington, D.C. provided such a unique college experience that I'm incredibly grateful for. In 2012, I was lucky enough to attend President Obama's second inauguration on the National Mall and, later that day, GW's Inaugural Ball. The sense of hope in the air that morning, and later dancing the night away with my classmates and professors, is one of my favorite GW memories.
What is a fun fact about you that you'd like to share?
My mom and I both lived in Madison Hall as freshmen (several decades apart). On the day I moved into my dorm, my mom was really excited to show her old GW ID to the front desk!
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
My freshman year, I took a University Writing Course with Professor Zachary Wolfe called "Law as a Force for Social Change." It was during this class that I realized I wanted to be an attorney and how pursuing a legal career would allow me to make a difference. I also still love to follow Professor Wolfe's Supreme Court analysis and commentary on his website.
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
Take advantage of the many opportunities that GW and Washington, D.C. have to offer in learning more about the legal field. Take undergraduate classes that discuss the law, and look for internships at law firms, non-profit organizations, or in the government that would allow you to gain some insight into the practice of law and what area you might be interested in.
How do you give back to the GW community?
I always enjoy speaking with and supporting GW students who are interested in pursuing law school and legal careers. I was the first person in my family to attend law school and understand how hard it can be to navigate the law school application process and, later, navigate the start of your legal career. GW has a wonderful alumni network, and we all are here to help and support you.