In my freshman year of college, I enrolled in an Intro to Ethics course, a decision that has profoundly shaped the direction of my life. One of the first case studies we examined in class involved the disturbing practice of removing rattlesnakes’ teeth to harvest venom, only to release the snakes back into the wild to starve. Another involved the ethical dilemmas surrounding GMOs, specifically the genetic engineering of spider silk into goat’s milk. The conversations around these issues — how human decisions impact both animals and our broader ecosystem — stayed with me long after the course ended. It was a wake-up call about the consequences of inaction and the moral obligation we have to protect not only animals but also vulnerable people, communities, and our environment.

These case studies unlocked something in me: a deep-seated passion for justice and a sense of responsibility to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. The ethics class wasn’t just about theoretical dilemmas — it gave me the tools to analyze real-world issues, especially around public policy, environmental justice, and human rights. It was also the first step toward what would eventually become my lifelong commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice (IDEAS), values that now form the cornerstone of my approach to both work and life.

After my experience in that ethics class, I couldn’t shake the need to contribute to meaningful change. I took this passion and ran with it, diving into public service. My work with Harris County’s most vulnerable populations — foster children, adults who need conservatorship, and people experiencing public health disparaties — reinforced my drive to serve, uplift, and advocate. I helped spearhead communications campaigns that made health services and other resources more accessible to those in need. But as I progressed in my career, I realized that in many instances, creating policies, programs, and public communications — while impactful — was not enough. I felt drawn to go deeper, to get involved in the legal frameworks that often determine the course of justice in people’s lives.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, one of my role models, has been a major source of inspiration for my decision to pursue a law degree. Watching her use her platform to advance justice, hold institutions accountable, and amplify the voices of the people she serves, I realized the powerful role law plays in fostering social change. This realization brought my goals into sharp focus: I want to use a law degree to fight for civil rights and social justice, to advocate for those who often get left behind, and to ensure that the core values of equity and inclusion are reflected in the policies that govern our society.

As I prepare to embark on the journey toward earning my J.D., my goal is clear: I want to specialize in social justice and civil rights law. My path has been shaped by my commitment to public service, from leading public health education campaigns to engaging with underserved communities and pushing for more equitable resources. Each of these experiences has deepened my understanding of systemic inequality and sharpened my desire to take on an even more active role in dismantling those barriers.

I firmly believe that the legal system is a critical tool for fostering inclusivity, justice, and accessibility. Whether it’s standing up for vulnerable communities or protecting the environment, the law provides a framework upon which we can fight for a fairer, more equitable world. And that is exactly what I intend to do.

In this next chapter, I aim to build upon the skills, experiences, and values I’ve cultivated in public service, using a legal education to become an even more effective advocate for the causes that matter most to me. I am ready to continue this journey, with the ultimate goal of giving back to the communities that have shaped me, and ensuring that justice is not just an abstract concept, but a lived reality for all.

Thank you for considering me for admission to law school.

Sincerely,

Rene Schwartz (she/her), M.A.-DMST

Law School Personal Statement

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