Izze Hanel JD’26 turns externship experiences into a career path

Steps from the state Supreme Court

It’s a few weeks before graduation, and Izze Hanel JD’26 already has her ferry ticket booked for her next adventure after finishing law school: moving to Juneau, Alaska in order to pursue a clerkship with Justice Jude Pate at the Alaska Supreme Court. It’s a dream role for Izze, who has successfully turned multiple clerkships and externship experiences she’s gained at Willamette Law into the next step in her environmental law career journey.

Izze’s path to Juneau began on State Street in Salem. During her final semester of law school, Izze has served as a judicial extern for Chief Justice Meagan Flynn BA’89 at the Oregon Supreme Court, who is herself a Willamette graduate. She discovered the opportunity via Willamette Law’s Associate Director of Career Planning & Development Bev Ecklund. Due to Willamette Law’s proximity and close relationships with the Court, Izze gained a powerful professional experience.

“I am lucky to go to a school that is quite literally steps from the Oregon Supreme Court,” Izze says. “The Office of Career Planning & Development has also done a great job building and maintaining strong connections with the Court. I am grateful to Willamette for being both physically and relationally close with the Court.”

When Izze first arrived on campus, she wasn’t sure if law school was the right place for her. 

“I was very shy and unsure whether I had what it takes to be a good law student, let alone a good lawyer,” Izze says.

However, Izze quickly made connections with her peers and professors. She met her closest friend on the first day of orientation and developed strong relationships with supportive faculty members. Professor Curtis Bridgeman taught Izze’s favorite class, “Law and Literature,” and helped her navigate her way through law school and career decisions. She has also closely collaborated with Associate Professor Aaron Simowitz, serving as his research assistant for two years.

One mentor in particular stands out for Izze: Associate Dean and Associate Professor Kelly Gamble.

“She has been the throughline of my time in law school, and I credit any and all of my success to her,” Izze says. “Her classes and mentorship have established the foundation on which I am building my legal career.”

Izze remembers a conversation with Gamble in which she explained that she had originally pursued engineering as an undergraduate before ultimately deciding on law.

“Her response was, ‘Well, I think you chose the right path,’” Izze recalls. “That comment sums it up: Willamette welcomed me as a scared 1L, and now it is about to set me loose as a lawyer who is confident that she is pursuing the right career.”