Career Paths: Chandler Cummings-McBride ’26L After graduation, Chandler Cummings-McBride will work in the real estate practice group for Troutman Pepper in Atlanta.

Chandler Cummings-McBride ’26L

Chandler Cummings-McBride ‘26L is from Fayetteville, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia, where she received a B.S.F.R. in forestry with an emphasis in wildlife sciences and a minor in film Studies. After college, she worked in-house for two years as a legal and compliance intern at an Atlanta-headquartered S&P 500 Fintech company. At W&L, she is on the German Law Journal and is the Vice President of Service for the Environmental Law Society.

Where will you be working after graduation and in what practice area?

Troutman Pepper Locke in Atlanta, Georgia in the Real Estate practice group.

Did you know coming into law school that you wanted to work in this field?

I did not know, but after speaking with my interviewer who is a real estate partner, I became heavily interested in the area. That interest only grew after talking to more lawyers in the group.

What role did the size and location of the firm play in the search and decision process?

I would say location played more of a role than size of the firm, as I wanted to be close to my family after finishing law school.

What classes do you think are helpful to prepare for this job?

Real Estate Practicum; Secured Transactions; Business Organizations; Bankruptcy

Can you describe the job search process?

The job search process, like most job searches, can be pretty stressful – as there are only so many positions available and many students going after them. I applied through the SELC diversity program to many different firms. I made sure to review my resume with lawyers I knew before law school to have the best possible materials. I used recently graduated Rachford Fellows to review my writing sample that I submitted with my materials.

Additionally, I sent a bunch of cold emails to firms listed in the SELC portal, scheduled phone calls and zoom meetings that way, and earned a lot of callback interviews doing that too. I think putting in a level of extra effort and care can make a big difference to firms.

What are you most looking forward to about this job?

I am really looking forward to working with an amazing team of real estate lawyers. Everyone I met in the group is exceptional, and I can tell I will learn so much from them. Additionally, the women I met in real estate this summer have so much knowledge, are so successful, and have the best personalities. I look forward to being taught by them and having so many examples of female leadership in a male-dominated profession.