Ehren Cahill used his experience at the School of Law to successfully combine two of his passions: tax law and sustainability. After graduating, he’ll be relocating to San Francisco to join the multinational firm EY, working on grants and proposals for sustainability projects, and he urges incoming UConn students to never be afraid to be themselves.
Why did you choose UConn?
If you’ve been to the law campus, then it’s easy to understand why anyone would choose UConn. Being a part of a smaller, tight-knit community with a national reputation was especially important to me, because I wanted to enjoy a variety of experiential opportunities. I am confident that I made the right decision.
What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?
Years before law school, I met a then-recent alum, Wonchi Ju, while I was working as a stylist. I told her I was interested in going to law school, and she insisted that I take Federal Income Tax with Professor Pomp. After following this advice, I also participated in the tax clinic with Professor Perkins, affirming that tax law would be the perfect fit for me.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve always had an interest in environmental studies, too. I took Climate Law with Professor MacDougald and combined these two passions by researching the influence of tax policy on American climate initiatives.
Did you have a favorite professor or class?
My favorite class must be “Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession,” taught by Professor Tanya Johnson and Judge Karen DeMeola. This class completely redefined my purpose as a lawyer and as an advocate for others through weekly student-led discussions, a variety of guest speakers, and creative simulations. There is power in understanding who we are as individuals, and that helps us see others for who they are, too.
What activities were you involved in as a student?
I served as president of both the Student Bar Association and the Diversity Alliance, in addition to participating in a number of negotiation and dispute resolution competitions from Hartford to San Diego. I also participated in Lifting the Law, a program with OTIS elevator and the Hartford Boys and Girls Club, introducing legal careers and topics to local high school students.
As far as experiential learning goes, I participated in the Low-Income Tax Clinic on campus, and I’ll finish my last semester having served as a New York Pro Bono Scholar at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association on the Asylum and Immigration team.
Off campus, I spent my weekends teaching fitness classes at Lifer Fitness Studio in West Hartford.
What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?
Some of the greatest classroom experiences I had were with adjunct professors from the greater Hartford community. I continue to be inspired by the professionals that take time out of their day to shape the future of the legal profession. Professors like Attorney Bromberg and Attorney Shivaswamy brought dimension to the classroom by incorporating examples from their practice.
What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?
This summer, I’ll be relocating to San Francisco to work at EY on the Sustainability Tax team. There I’ll be working on writing grants and proposals for multi-million-dollar sustainability projects under the Inflation Reduction Act.
How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?
The law school makes great efforts to prioritize mental health, holistic lawyering, and exploration of self-identities. Learning to understand my strengths and the unique perspectives I bring to my community have made me feel confident as I transition to the next stage of my career.
Any advice for incoming students?
Don’t be afraid to be yourself! Spend time thinking about what is important to you before your first day on campus and hold onto those things. Whether it’s a routine that makes you feel productive, or an activity that helps you recharge, these things will keep you grounded—especially through your first year.
What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?
Make time to get to know your professors! With so many incredible educators, I felt intimidated some days by their credentials and experience. Making time to chat in office hours or grab a coffee helped me overcome my cold-call anxiety and inspired me to challenge myself in and out of the classroom.
What will always make you think of UConn?
You really bond with your classmates, and our Criminal Law class was a big part of that for me. Russian roulette and conspiracy were frequent topics in our class discussions, so one student made a set of house rules to give structure to the hypotheticals in class.
