Meet Zachary Kean ’27L: Kirgis Fellow Zachary Kean discusses why he chose W&L Law and his role as a Kirgis Fellow, a peer mentor to incoming students.

By Law Communications
July 28, 2025

Zachary Kean is a Rising 2L  from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended Florida State University for his undergraduate where he double majored in political science and business management. Zachary decided to attend law school after gaining experience working as a legislative clerk in the Florida House of Representatives during college. Zachary’s decision to attend law school was shaped by his time in the political sphere, where he contributed to the passage of key legislation, including “Alyssa’s Law” and “Hope Card Protections.” These experiences, to him, highlighted the power of legal advocacy and the role of collaboration and compromise in driving meaningful change within the legal community.

During his first summer at W&L, Zachary split his time working for the General Counsel for PrizePicks and the Florida Office of the Attorney General. In these positions, he has gained immense experience and versed himself in the intricacies of government regulatory law, commercial litigation, and trial advocacy. Next summer, Zachary will be joining McGuireWoods as a 2026 Summer Associate in the firm’s Atlanta office, where he looks to hone his legal skills through the challenges and complexities of a high-stakes, Big Law position.

Why did you choose W&L Law?

I decided to attend W&L Law due to the school’s reputation for academic excellence, student outreach, and its many prestigious legal connections. When reflecting on what drove me to W&L Law, I am reminded of the law school application process, which was both tedious and overwhelming for me as a first-generation law student. The many intricacies and dos and don’ts of the process were constantly floating around in the back of my mind, but the admissions staff and community of W&L guided me through that process, embodying a feeling of encouragement and homeyness in a time when I truly needed it. Whether it was a simple question about housing or a discussion on financing law school, I knew that I would be speaking with someone who was ready to listen and who would offer solutions that truly worked for me.

Additionally, the community at W&L is unlike any community that you will find at any other law school. The compassion and interest that peers, friends, faculty, and alumni will show you once joining this amazing community will only confirm that you made the best choice in choosing to attend W&L Law. I knew that I wanted to attend a law school where I would be surrounded by individuals who would push me to be my best self, and thankfully, I have found that here at W&L Law.

Share an experience, class, professor/staff member that has had an impact on your time as a law student.

The entire W&L staff is friendly, encouraging, and make you feel at home the moment that you step foot on campus. From the friendly greetings that you get in the hallways from professors, students, and staff that genuinely care about you, to the many organizations and events that the school puts on to stimulate you academically, you will find a place to call home during your time at W&L. From going to Hull’s Drive-In with your friends to the conversations that you have in passing at the Brief Stop, you will meet people, join communities, and most importantly grow throughout your time here.

One of my favorite memories was traveling to Washington, D.C., with a group of friends and classmates for Professor Parella’s International Business Law Roundtable, where we were invited to meet and speak with experts in the international business law field. It was an amazing experience for learning, professionalism, and networking with legal professionals. I 100 percent recommend becoming friendly with your professors and learning about the work that they do, as you may get invited to a similar event where you can hear real experts discuss the very same stuff that you are learning in the classroom.

Why did you choose to be a Kirgis Fellow, and what are some responsibilities you have in this role?

I chose to be a Kirgis Fellow because it provides me with the opportunity to truly connect with the 1Ls as we welcome you into our community. Getting to be there to guide you through the ups and downs of 1L, hearing how you killed your first cold-call, and being a listening ear when you are overwhelmed by the 200+ pages of reading you have for a week is why I wanted to be a Kirgis Fellow. I want to be there for students every step of the way just as my Kirgis Fellows were there for me.

It is no question that you are about to face one of the biggest academic challenges of your life—and trust me it is a beast—but I promise you will thrive and learn more about yourself over this next year than you could have ever possibly imagined. I want to be there through it all. To watch you celebrate your victories and to be there to offer a helping hand when you are feeling overwhelmed. That is why we are here for you as Kirgis Fellows. That is why we chose to take on this responsibility. We are here for 1L students day in and day out to lean on, to ask questions, and to be an asset as they enter this immense field. I completely agree that law school is a marathon and not a sprint, so let our group be there as your biggest cheerleaders, providing you encouragement and tips for success. At the end of the day, the true secret to succeeding in law school is knowing you are capable, others are there to support you, and most importantly, your unique personality will help you thrive. You are here today because there is something special inside of you that most other people do not have, so lean on that, remember that, and keep in mind that we are here for you and we believe in you.

What is something you would like incoming 1Ls to know about you?

To the incoming 1Ls, I would like you to know that I am probably the most yin and yang person that you will ever meet. Whether it is going from reading “The Evolution of Microplankton’s” (I know, imagine buying that at Barnes and Noble) to reading “Fourth Wing” or from watching my Saturday Football Marathons (of course you are all invited) to Hamilton sing-alongs, if you have an interest, I probably have it too. I love trying new things and going to new places and most of all spending time with friends. So, if you want to go try a new activity, travel to a new place, or try some random cuisine nobody has ever heard of, I will be right there with you!

Favorite spot at W&L Law or Lexington.

My favorite spot at W&L is probably the tables outside of “Fireside” overlooking the campus. Sitting up there when fall begins with all of the leaves changing colors and everyone in their warm clothes grabbing a coffee with the smell of a campfire in the distance is probably one of the best memories that I have from 1L. In terms of Lexington, my favorite spot is probably The Palms or Great Valley. There is nothing like going to The Palms with your friends to grab dinner after a long week or day at the school. The food is good, the people are nice, and the vibes are great to just relax and feel like a normal person again after having read a case three times over and over again because you could not understand a word that you read (trust me, this is a universal experience). Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery is great whether you drink or not. It is right outside of Lexington and has amazing views of the mountains and sunset. There is always a live band, and if you are lucky, you may even get to see the camels (yes, you read that right)!

Anything specific you are looking forward to in your 2L year?

For my 2L year, I am especially looking forward to reconnecting with all my friends and meeting new people. Everyone at W&L has had amazing experiences, ideas, and passions that will make you want to meet and learn more about everyone that you see. I cannot wait to make more friends and to hear the amazing stories and backgrounds of all the new incoming students. I am also excited about the many clubs and organizations that I am a part of including SBA, SEIPLS, ELS, and many more! We have such amazing events planned this year, and I cannot wait to bring the many ideas that we have to light for the student body! Lastly, as this is probably apparent by now, I am so extremely excited to meet my “Kirglings” and to do all that I can to help them succeed this next year! Please reach out if you ever need anything or if you just want to talk—I am always here for you!