Career Paths: The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office Four members of the Law Class of 2025 are headed to work for the District Attorney's office in Brooklyn, New York.

Mikayla Nasis, Sadie Klam, Jacob Belham, and Jane Kim

Jacob Belham ‘25L is from Boston, Massachusetts. He earned his B.A. in administration of justice from Salve Regina University. At W&L Law, he serves as a student attorney with the Community Legal Practice Center and as Co-Chair of the Negotiations Competition.

Jane Kim ‘25L is from Old Tappan, New Jersey. She attended the College of New Jersey, where she received her B.A. in history and political science with a minor in law, politics, and philosophy. As an undergraduate student, she focused on gathering experience in the fields of policy research, non-profit engagement, and legal aid. At W&L, Jane serves as the Vice-Chair of Externals for the Moot Court Board, is a Senior Articles Editor for the German Law Journal, and is a student-coach for the Jessup International Moot Court team. Jane’s favorite part of Lexington is Nappa Thai because she never realized she would find the best Thai food of her life in a small town in Virginia.

Sadie Klam ‘25L is from Annapolis, Maryland. She attended Roanoke College, where she received her B.A. in political science. After college, she worked at a public affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C., where she primarily focused on nonprofit fundraising. At W&L, Sadie serves as Vice Chair of the Moot Court Board and is a Senior Articles Editor for the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

Mikayla Nasis ‘25L is from San Antonio, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University, where she majored in political science and minored in military studies. At W&L, she is the Managing Editor of the German Law Journal and is involved in the Women Law Students Organization (WLSO). Mikayla lives in downtown Lexington with her fiancé and loves trying all the wineries around Lexington and popping into Downtown Books!

Did you know coming into law school that you wanted to be a prosecutor?

Jane: Funnily enough I did not—I actually came in wanting to be either in the non-profit sphere or go be a public defender. This was particularly because I was very jaded against what seemed like a system that punished the marginalized for factors outside their control. But in the very wise words of Professor Shapiro, the criminal justice system—no matter how great—will have flaws because at the end of the day it is run by people. After spending time with a non-profit my 1L summer and then a summer with the office my 2L summer, I recognized that: (1) you need talented and genuine people on both ends of the justice system striving for equity and fairness in our legal system and (2) that prosecutors are uniquely positioned, in their ethical standards and professional capabilities, to protect justice in ways other careers cannot. After realizing these two points this past summer, I knew I wanted nothing more than to become a prosecutor!

Was there anything in your law school or summer job experience that confirmed this career choice?

Sadie: I came to law school with the same mindset as Jane. After participating in the Moot Court competitions my 2L year, I knew that I wanted to be a litigator, but I was not sure exactly where I wanted to end up. I did my 2L summer at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and knew very quickly that I wanted to return after graduation. Everyone I worked with was kind, mission-oriented, and invested in doing the right thing. They were all eager to help us learn and grow into the best lawyers we could be, which is exactly what I want to experience right out of school. Additionally, all prosecutors spend a lot of time in the courtroom, so I knew it would be a great way for me to get quality litigation experience.

What classes/law school hands-on learning opportunities do you think are helpful to prepare for this job?

Mikayla: The Prosecution Externship helped me discern my post graduate plans of joining the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. This course allowed me the opportunity to develop trial advocacy skills in a real setting. I was able to try cases myself with my third-year practice certificate and the guidance of a practicing attorney, engage in plea bargaining, and conduct witness interviews.

Sadie: Criminal Procedure Investigations and Trial Advocacy are great classes to take if you are planning on working in a prosecutor’s office after graduation. I would also highly recommend participating in the Moot Court competitions. I learned so much as a competitor and was very grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Has there been a professor or alumni who has helped prepare you for this position?

Mikayla: Professor Lethia Hammond ’11L taught my Trial Advocacy course as a 2L and she helped me take the concepts I learned in doctrinal courses into tangible skills to be used in the courtroom. It was through her class that we had the opportunity to litigate in a mock trial and watch the jury deliberate live in the other room. This was a unique opportunity that I won’t have in practice.

Funny enough, my other classmates also encouraged me and helped prepare me for the interview process. Jane, Sadie, and Jake were so helpful in sharing their experiences with the office and interviews. When I toured W&L, an alum told me the attitude is, “a rising tide raises all ships,” and that was ever present with my classmates!

What was special about the Brooklyn District Attorney Office that you believe has led to four W&L Law 2025 graduates working there this next year?

Jane: I’m excited beyond words to be able to return to the office with fellow W&L graduates and friends to get into the trenches with. My glimpse into the life of an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County has shown me that you cannot get through the job alone and having a group of friends who are incredibly smart, talented, and kind‑hearted only further excites me for the work I’ll do at the office alongside them.

In regard to what attracted us to the office, I think it’s because the principles that both spaces value are aligned! Both W&L and the Brooklyn DA’s Office value professional skill and growth, but not at the cost of ethics and morals. I distinctly remember that the first thing I was told at orientation, at both W&L and the Office, was that I should be proud of the hard work and skills that had gotten me here, but that in the midst of the challenges to come, I should never forget first and foremost the calling in our field to be ethical and honorable. In addition, the warm and supportive community at both places are remarkably similar—both provide spaces to be challenged and grow professionally while also fostering support and mentorship!

Can you describe the job search process?

Jake: At first, I thought I needed to land a firm job because that seemed like the default path among my classmates. But over time, especially during my 2L summer, I started paying closer attention to the work my friends in prosecutors’ offices were doing. I found myself fascinated by the cases they were working on and the legal questions they were grappling with. That interest led to some honest reflection about what kind of lawyer I wanted to be. When I saw the opening at the Brooklyn DA’s Office and read more about the office’s mission, it immediately felt like the right fit.

What are you most looking forward to about this job?

Jake: I’m looking forward to doing meaningful work right out of the gate, such as taking ownership of cases, being in court, and learning how to make sound decisions under pressure. I know the learning curve will be steep, but I’m excited to be challenged and to grow as a litigator. Most of all, I’m looking forward to joining an office that’s committed to improving the criminal justice system and to work alongside people who care deeply about public service, including my classmates I’ll be joining at the Brooklyn DA’s office.