Bob Lattas, JD'01
When looking at law schools, Robert D. Lattas wanted a "college campus feel" in a town not too far away. He also wanted to study at a top-tier law school in the Big Ten. "Indiana was the perfect choice," he said.
Though he worked extremely hard in law school, earning a joint JD/MBA degree from the School of Law and the Kelley School of Business, Lattas admits he played hard as well, naming Nick's English Hut, Kilroy's, and the Bluebird among favorite establishments that populated his credit card statements in those days. As a law student, he participated in the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition and was president of the Business and Law Society.
"When I was in law school, the legal market crashed pretty badly," said Lattas, who credits the Law School's alumni office for putting him in touch with contacts that helped land his first job. "Without their help, it would have been very difficult for me to be successful."
These memories inspired Lattas to began donating to the School shortly after graduation. As a member of the 21st Century Society, Lattas pledged $12,500 over a five-year period. His contributions—and the private support of many young alumni—aid Indiana Law in long-term funding for vital co-curricular programs that include the Career Services Office and the Moot Court teams Lattas enjoyed as a student.
Now back in his native Chicago, the 2001 graduate enjoys a successful private practice in real estate law and is grateful for the lessons learned from his law professors. Learning to think and act like a lawyer, something that Lattas says requires "constant reinforcement," help him to anticipate the next move of the opposing counsel.
To our current law students, Lattas said, "Don't listen to the people who tell you that you can't succeed. If you work hard and really believe you'll succeed, you will."