Poththewela’s First-Generation Journey at Albany Law School

Isuri Poththewela ’25 is carving out her own path as a first-generation law student at Albany Law School. As an immigrant who gained U.S. citizenship during her undergraduate years at City College of New York, Poththewela was driven by the desire to assist others seeking better opportunities in the United States.

“I initially wanted to pursue immigration law to help those facing challenges with undocumented status or citizenship processes, but my focus shifted once I started law school,” Poththewela shared.

Her journey to law school was shaped by the unpredictability of U.S. immigration policies. After undergrad, while the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Poththewela worked part-time at a Shoprite on Staten Island. All the while applying to law schools, hoping to find the right fit. It didn’t take long before she did.

“I was at my desk, I probably shouldn’t have been on my phone, but when I saw the ‘Congratulations’ email, I screamed! My friends rushed to celebrate with a cake, and I immediately called my parents and sisters,” she said.

As the first in her family to attend law school, Poththewela follows her instincts to help others. However, like many students, her passion evolved once she arrived at Albany Law School.

“I came in thinking I’d focus on immigration or criminal law, but after taking Professor Christine Chung’s contracts class, I found myself fascinated by contract law. The Negotiations Competition made me realize I also had an interest in litigation,” she said.
 

Now in her third year, Poththewela’s perspective has shifted significantly from her first day on campus, when she participated in the “Lean Into Success” program .

“It was nerve-wracking, but it was a small group of first-generation law students. Knowing that we were all in it together made the experience less intimidating, especially when I got cold-called by Professor Ciji Dodds during orientation,” she said. “It made me feel a little more at ease knowing others were going through the same challenges.”

Throughout her time at Albany Law School, Poththewela has felt supported and encouraged by the tight-knit community.

“We’ve had countless opportunities to develop not just legal knowledge, but practical skills. The entire experience has been a mix of hard work, growth, and constant support,” she said. “Associate Dean of Student Affairs Jenean Taranto was one of my professors. I asked her to be a reference, and without hesitation, she offered to write a full recommendation. This kind of support is just one example of the multifaceted learning environment here at Albany Law.”

For future Albany Law students, Poththewela has a few key pieces of advice:  participate in “Lean Into Success,” embrace every opportunity, and take time to appreciate the journey.

“Even the President and Dean of the school, Cinnamon Carlarne knows your name. Albany Law is a small school, so it allows you to network and develop personal relationships with professors and deans who genuinely take an interest in your goals and aspirations,” Poththewela said.