Inside the 3L Year with Ally Ortegon ’26L

Ally Ortegon is a member of the Class of 2026 at W&L Law. Prior to law school, Ally attended The University of Texas and then worked as a journalist for an NPR member station in Austin, Texas. During Ally's second year of law school, she served as a Law Ambassador, Kirgis Fellow, and secretary of the Latin American Law Students Association. In her third year, she also served as the co-chair of the Robert J. Grey Negotiations Competition. Outside of the law school, Ally enjoys playing soccer, watching Texas football, and going on walks with her black Labrador Retriever, Teddy. For the 2024 summer, she interned in the District of Columbia District Court for the Hon. Ana C. Reyes, and in the 2025 summer, she joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a Summer Associate in the Washington, D.C. office. Ally will return to Sheppard to join the Business Trial practice group upon graduation.

Why did you choose W&L Law?

It was the town that brought me here, and the people that kept me. Since I grew up in a similarly small town, I felt right at home in Lexington, with its couple main streets, movie theater (which I regularly frequent), and locally owned shops and restaurants. As I got to the law school, I was greeted with all the warmth and kindness I'd already come to expect since getting my first call from a W&L student congratulating me on my admission. Somewhere between all the personal touches and the academic prestige, I realized there was no better place to help me thrive in the next couple of years.

Share an experience, classmate, professor/staff member that has had an impact on your time as a law student over the last three years.

In my 2L year, I was introduced to Judge Carson, who presides over the 23rd Circuit Court in Roanoke. He was my professor for Trial Advocacy, a class that instructs students on how to be trial lawyers, and he continues to be a mentor today. One of the standout lessons from his class was simple but effective: be yourself, a jury will always be able to tell if you are not being authentic. He was speaking specifically about your delivery in a courtroom, but it also spoke to me as a first-generation law student. It felt like an acknowledgment that there is not one way a lawyer looks, talks, who they are, or where they are from. From that class on, I knew I would be a trial attorney.

What has been your greatest accomplishment since arriving at W&L?

I have two! In that same trial advocacy class, my best friend, Lilli, and I worked together for weeks to prepare for the "final" in that class--acting as defense counsel in a murder trial. We came up with our theory of defense, prepared our witnesses and opening and closing statements, decided what evidence to put on, and delivered all of that to a jury comprised of Lexington residents for an hour-long trial. We were able to watch their deliberations in the jury room and ultimately deliver a "not guilty" verdict. From all the preparation to finally being able to stand up in front of a judge, jury, and a room full of peers and advocate successfully for my client, it was the best feeling of accomplishment and a moment of recognition of how much I love litigation.

The second, however, no less important than the first, was when I was selected to be a Kirgis Fellow in my 2L year. W&L Law has a program in which 12 students are chosen from the 2L class, paired off, and then serve as mentors to the incoming 1L class for the entire year. The role is officially that of a mentor, but it's also an academic resource, an emergency hotline, an ear to listen, a confidant, and a friend. Mentorship is very important to me, so getting to be there for my mentees then (and now) for everything from school advice, navigating relationships, finding jobs, to watching them simply grow as people and as lawyers has been my great joy.

What is something that surprised you about 3L year?

I was surprised by my confidence and ability to actually practice as a clerk for my judge, Judge Ciaffone, in my judicial externship in the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court in Roanoke. There was no runway or lead up to the kinds of unique, on-the-spot questions that came before my judge. From day one, she posed them to me with the belief that I would be capable of giving her concrete, thoughtful answers and recommendations based on real facts for real people. Not only was there a level of intimidation from how brand new many of these legal issues were to me, but also because Judge Ciaffone had a vast and successful legal career prior to sitting on the bench. With all of that, I was very happily surprised that all of my education on legal research and writing meant I could keep up and genuinely assist my judge in tackling complex questions.

Favorite classes from your 3L year?

I was lucky enough to take a course called Criminal Procedure: Investigations taught by the Dean of our law school, Dean Melanie Wilson. Many of my favorite classes became just that for the same reason I loved the Dean's class--they're taught by our incredible, personable, and highly accomplished faculty. For example, I also loved learning about prosecuting white collar crime, in my class of the same name, from Professor DiBiagio, who worked for years as a federal prosecutor, or learning how to write up contracts for a touring musician in my Entertainment Law class from Professor DeJesus, who still works as an entertainment lawyer based in New York City. Being taught by professors who are experts in their fields made for challenging but always fun classes.

Advice to students going to law school in the future?

Find your soccer! What I mean by that is don't forget to take care of yourself as a person. Most everyone going to law school is a great student. By that point, you've shown you're able to study hard and get the work done. But you have to remember to do the things, or find the things, that ground you as a person. Remember the activity, hobby, or practice that makes you feel most like the confident, able, and great person that you are. The first year can be overwhelming and it's easy to let all that slide but take care of yourself and all will be great.

Outside Law School

What is your favorite activity in Lexington?

My favorite activity is playing soccer. A group of us from the law school, unofficially "Legal League," play a couple times a week year-round, with one big, annual tournament. It can get fairly competitive depending on the day, but we all deeply love the game so it's always a blast! Also, I'll give an additional shoutout to taking walks or going for runs on Woods Creek Trail, which connects my neighborhood in Lexington to the law school.

Favorite Meal?

Buffalo wings from The Palms restaurant downtown, but they need a side of extra buffalo sauce, ranch, and of course, fries.

What is playing while you are driving in your car or walking to the law school?

It varies a lot, but I'd say a large percentage of the time it's country music, especially when it's nice and sunny out. I (and my lab) love driving around with the windows down and some 90s country playing.

Fun Fact.

I'm a big fan of antiquing. My parents and I spent a good part of my youth traveling around finding items and refurbishing them across the Texas Hill Country, near where I grew up. That said, I feel qualified to vouch for the antique spots all across Virginia, but especially in Staunton and Verona. Some of my best finds these past few years have come from there, inclusive of vintage records, glassware, and jewelry.

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