Hailing from Winchester, Virginia, Madison joined UVA Batten in 2018 while completing her undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs from UVA. Following her time at UVA Batten, she worked at White & Case as a paralegal before attending the American University Washington College of Law, Class of 2025. Today, she serves as a Law Clerk at White & Case LLP in New York. Her practice focuses on antitrust and complex commercial litigation, and she also maintains an active pro bono practice with a particular interest in women’s rights and criminal justice. Get to know more about Madison below!
Why did you choose UVA Batten?
- I chose Batten because, coming to UVA as an in-state student, I entered with a significant number of credits and had the flexibility to either pursue a double major or graduate early. I ultimately decided to pursue the accelerated Master of Public Policy because I knew the analytical and problem-solving skills it emphasizes would be valuable regardless of whether I went directly into the workforce or continued on to graduate or professional school. Batten offered a rigorous, practical foundation that complemented a wide range of future paths, which made it the right choice for me.
How would you describe the UVA Batten community?
- The Batten community is intellectually curious, driven, and deeply committed to public service. I was consistently impressed by the caliber of my peers – their thoughtful questions and diverse perspectives created a rigorous and engaging classroom environment.
How were you able to explore your policy interests while at UVA Batten?
- I explored my policy interests at Batten through coursework and an internship at an NGO focused on corporate social responsibility. That experience was formative in showing me how closely policy development operates within legal frameworks. It ultimately clarified for me that pursuing law school would allow me to engage more deeply with the institutional and regulatory dimensions of policy. Although my career has since focused on litigation more broadly, that internship was an important first step in connecting my policy training to legal practice.
What’s one way the MPP helped you grow personally or professionally?
- Both personally and professionally, Batten showed me that I was capable of meeting demanding challenges. The intensity of the workload and competing priorities pushed me to develop stronger time management, resilience, and discipline. That experience proved invaluable in preparing me for the pace and expectations of law school, and I believe I entered law school far better equipped because of the foundation Batten provided.
Similarly, how did Batten prepare you for your first role after graduating or your current role? What skills and experiences at UVA Batten set you up for success?
- Batten prepared me for my current role by teaching me how to manage multiple complex priorities simultaneously. As a student, I often balanced a demanding course load with applied projects and extracurricular commitments, which required me to assess urgency, communicate capacity, and navigate competing deadlines –skills that mirror the realities of legal practice, where I regularly juggle multiple matters at once. Experiences such as my Applied Policy Project, which involved presenting analysis to stakeholders and in class, also strengthened my ability to translate complex ideas for different audiences, advocate clearly, and communicate priorities. Overall, Batten’s emphasis on real-world, client-facing work provided a practical foundation that translated directly to the pace and expectations of the corporate legal environment.
What course or academic experience was a highlight of your time at UVA Batten?
- A highlight of my time at Batten was Negotiations with Professor Chou. The course provided practical frameworks for navigating complex interpersonal and professional dynamics, from preparing strategically to communicating effectively, and finding mutually beneficial outcomes. Those principles have remained directly relevant in my legal career and in the corporate environment, where negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building are central to daily practice.
Beyond academics, what are some other memories that stand out from your time at UVA Batten?
- What stands out most from my time at Batten is the close-knit community within a larger university environment. Coming from a larger undergraduate major, it was meaningful to be part of a smaller program where peers and faculty truly knew one another – not just by name, but by strengths, goals, and character. That sense of being seen and supported created an environment where people pushed each other to grow, which was both motivating and deeply grounding during an intensive program.
What piece of advice would you give to a student considering UVA Batten?
- I would encourage anyone considering Batten to apply if they’re looking for the experience of a close-knit, smaller program within a large university like UVA. The curriculum is highly practical and builds analytical and professional skills that translate directly to the workforce or further graduate study. Even for students who ultimately pursue careers outside of government, Batten provides a versatile foundation that is broadly applicable across fields.
