Dear 1L Spotlight: Amelia Hamman

Dear 1L – Spotlight

Today I introduce Amelia Hamman, an immigrant from South Africa by way of Canada, who credits her work ethic and adventurous spirit to the sacrifices her parents made to give their children the best possible future.  

Here’s some backstory:

▫️ Amelia grew up speaking Afrikaans before she spoke English. At 9, she moved to Alberta, and, (as if that weren’t enough for a kid), then to Manitoba. Canada became a wonderful home, but her parents’ adventurous spirit had been deeply instilled. About six years ago, Amelia moved—on her own—to the U.S.

▫️ She attended college in Minot, North Dakota, majoring in chemistry. She thought she might become a research scientist. 

▫️ Following that path, her first job after college was working as a support scientist for cancer research in yet another new home (the University of Minnesota).

▫️Amelia’s move to Minnesota coincided with the George Floyd protests, and they had a huge impact. All surrounding that, plus her father’s history as a practicing attorney in South Africa, soon led Amelia to realize that criminal justice, not scientific research, was her real passion.

▫️ Unsure of where the future would lead but determined to stay in this country to make her future, Amelia then took a chance: She applied to law school. She has never looked back. 

▫️ Now a 2L at the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks, Amelia is excited about what her future opportunities may be.

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Amelia strikes me as a beautifully unpainted canvas: She’s ready to write her story as a practicing attorney in this country—perhaps in yet another state where she’s never been before. 

Let’s help her start building her national network.

Fondly,
💌 Amanda