“I’ve been arguing since I was five years old,” laughed Marcus, an alumna of NYU School of Law, Touro’s Lander College for Women, and current law clerk to Chief Judge Matthew H. Solomson of the United States Court of Federal Claims. “My mother says she always knew I would go to law school.”

A Foundation at Touro

After attending Michlalah in Israel, Marcus enrolled at Touro’s Lander College for Women (LCW).

“I wanted to pursue a formal Judaic studies curriculum for as long as I could, and LCW gave me that opportunity in conjunction with my other educational goals,” she said. “Also, my father is a rebbe at LCM, so we live and breathe Touro in our family.”

For Marcus, LCW’s intimate academic environment provided a strong foundation. “One of the benefits of Touro — and Lander College for Women in particular — is the small, close-knit environment as compared with other universities,” she explained. “That’s incredibly beneficial when it comes to receiving individually tailored guidance. I was especially lucky since I was a history major — I quite literally had my professors and advisors on the phone with me when planning my course load and applying to law school.”

She credits Professor Thomas Rozinski with shaping her path toward law school. “He was incredibly generous with his time and guidance,” said Marcus. “He encouraged me to study for the LSAT and helped me decide which law school would be the best fit for me. I ran the first draft of my personal statement by him. His classes were challenging, but also the most rewarding—I still refer to my notes from his political theory course.”

Marcus graduated in 2021 as LCW’s valedictorian.

Overcoming the Challenges of Law School

She went on to attend New York University School of Law, one of the nation’s most competitive programs. Despite her preparation, she found the transition demanding.

“NYU is a massive place, and it’s easy to get lost,” said Marcus. “If you’re coming from a small school, the adjustment phase can be overwhelming and imposter syndrome tends to creep in. Suddenly, you’re an average student and you have to work harder to stand out. Taking stock of my skillset – both the strengths and weaknesses – was key to overcoming that.”

Her advice to students considering law school: “It’s definitely an adjustment. High school tends to be an extension of elementary school, and LCW, to some degree, felt like an extension of seminary. NYU was the first time an educational experience felt like something entirely new. I think it’s important to anticipate a challenge.”

During law school, Marcus faced an additional transition: motherhood. “I had two children during law school,” she said. “My first was born during my second year, and my second right around graduation. I had a six-week-old when I took the bar exam. My experience was worlds apart from the students who lived and breathed NYU—I had an entire life outside of it. But that’s something many LCW graduates can relate to: balancing a beautiful family life with a demanding professional one.”

Marcus is currently writing an article for the Krauthammer Fellowship, reflecting on her experience navigating pregnancy and postpartum life while in law school.

“I’m arguing that institutions of higher education should recognize motherhood as the societal good it is, and offer accommodations to their pregnant and parenting students. Family life is the cornerstone of a healthy and flourishing society, not a self-imposed disability to be weighed against one’s educational goals,” she said.

Life in the Law

During her time at NYU, Marcus was a Tikvah Legal Fellow and co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and Liberty. It was through the Tikvah Fellowship that she met Judge Solomson.

“I love Tikvah and that fellowship in particular —it was an incredible experience through which I gained many friends and mentors,” she said.

Marcus also worked as a summer associate at Jones Day, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the country, and later joined the firm as a litigation associate.

“I was selective because I wanted to safeguard my family life,” she explained. “I wanted a firm that would respect that. At Jones Day, I was generally able to head home in the early evening, have dinner with my family, and pick up work later at home. I wasn’t expected to remain in the office until midnight, as was typical pre-COVID. I could do dinnertime and bedtime, then get back to work. The people there are incredible to work with, and I absolutely loved the work.”

Clerking for a Judge

After her first year at Jones Day, Marcus began a clerkship with Chief Judge Solomson —a prestigious opportunity for any young lawyer.

“I met Judge Solomson through the Tikvah Legal Fellowship, and he offered me a position as his law clerk,” she said. “As clerks, we handle the day-to-day of the judge’s docket. We divide up the judge’s cases, monitor them daily, and help draft orders and opinions. Every clerkship differs, but with Judge Solomson it’s a very hands-on experience. We get to do a lot of legal research and writing.”

Her advice for aspiring law students is straightforward: develop discipline, curiosity, and a strong backbone.

“My generation has grown up in an era of short-form content, like that of Tik-Tok and Instagram reels, and our attention spans have suffered,” she said. “To be a good lawyer, you have to be able to put your phone down and focus for a long period of time. Discipline is everything. Curiosity is the second piece—the more interested you are in the law, the better lawyer you’ll be. And finally, you need a strong backbone. Every draft you send to a supervisor or partner will come back covered in edits. Don’t take it personally —view it as a learning opportunity. Take the feedback, reflect on it, and do better next time.”

Balancing Faith, Family, and Ambition

As for religious women considering a legal career, Marcus is unequivocal.

“Do it,” she said. “First of all, you get to make a tremendous kiddush Hashem. And the more of us who do it, the better the system becomes. Being the only pregnant person among 500 students was a little awkward, but if you want a robust professional life alongside a robust family life, don’t settle.”

She smiled. “You can call me—we have a lot to discuss.”

After her clerkship, Marcus plans to return to private practice.

“My ultimate career goal is simply to find fulfillment in whatever I do,” she said. “I don’t think I could ever be content with just a paycheck. I need a career that excites me, that speaks to my interests and skills.”