Profiles
Hometown: Aston, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate degree: Shippensburg University, BA, Psychology & Sociology; John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, MA, Forensic Psychology
Kimberly A. Lucia had been working as a trader for a brokerage firm for 11 years when she realized that her job, though financially rewarding, was no longer personally satisfying. She began to think seriously about attending law school, which was something she had long dreamed about, and when she discovered King Hall, she quickly realized she had found the right place to pursue her dream.
"I originally chose to look at UC Davis because of its solid reputation and public interest focus," said Lucia. "I chose to come here when, after a visit, I realized that the school offered more than academics. It also offered a cooperative, collegial community that I knew would enhance my law school experience."
Right from the start, Lucia felt at home in King Hall. In addition to her first-year studies, she immersed herself in a range of activities, working as a section writer for the Journal of Juvenile Law & Policy, volunteering at Legal Services of Northern California's employment clinic, and joining the Lambda Law Students Association. She also served as an extern for the Civil Division of the United State Attorney's Office in Sacramento and was a summer associate at Boutin Gibson Di Giusto Hodell Inc. in Sacramento, played softball in the law school's league, served as president of the Lambda Law Students, and in her third year, became an editor with the UC Davis Law Review and member of the Alumni-Student Relations Committee.
"Participating in student organizations has been beneficial both socially and educationally," she said. "Obviously, they are a great way to make friends and a terrific resource for navigating law school. However the breadth of programs and events they offer also gave me an invaluable opportunity to learn about a variety of areas in the law."
After graduation, Lucia joined Boutin Jones in Sacramento as an associate working in the Employment Law and Litigation Practice groups. She credits her experiences at King Hall for giving her the skills she needed for success. "It is hard to put a finger on what was most important, because the breadth of courses offered, the professional relationships made, and the opportunities for garnering outside experience were all outstanding," she said. "Overall, I feel like UC Davis provided me with a very well-rounded education that will carry me far in my career."
