Robert Sarwark 26L is the recipient of the 2026 Juris Master Leadership Award, an honor that goes to the JM student who has shown significant leadership throughout their time at Emory Law. He took a nontraditional path to his degree, and it worked well for his personal and professional needs, earning him the respect of his peers and his professors along the way. He shares his story below.

What made you decide to go to Emory Law?

Since I moved to Atlanta in 2016, Emory has been on my radar as a world-class institution. I think it was about 2021 when I started hearing about the Juris Master program at Emory Law from ads on WABE. When I learned more about my employer’s—the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta—educational reimbursement program, the idea to apply just clicked. I made the proposal to my supervisors in the spring of 2022, and they agreed that this degree would contribute strategically to my role as a knowledge management specialist (aka a “Fed librarian”). Since my workload includes significant elements of contracts, intellectual property, data management, and other relevant legal topics, this has proven to be true.  

Were you nervous at all about starting the program and, if so, why?

I was a bit nervous about it because of the expected time commitment. I remember starting the “boot camp” component while travelling to visit family out of state and feeling overwhelmed by the deadlines. I was able to find a balance as the program started, but it has always been something that I’ve had to consciously carve out time for, especially since my son was born in early 2025. 

Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first class.

Honestly, it was so long ago now that I don’t really remember! But if I had to say, it was a mix of excitement and curiosity, with some nervousness, as I mentioned. The first course I took was LAW 570E: Introduction to the American Legal System, which I recall being very eye-opening in terms of what I didn’t know about the law. Afterwards, I felt like I had a much greater understanding of the basics, especially as regards how to interpret the U.S. Constitution, legal precedent, and the judicial system writ large. 

Do you have a concentration?

Yes: The Certificate in Data, Privacy, and Technology. 

How does it feel to be closing in on the finish line?

It feels very good! I’ve been working on this for the better part of four years. Due to time and financial constraints, I’ve had to take just one course per semester. There were certain times when I really wanted to speed up the process, but the pace I chose from the beginning was necessary and towards the end I’ve come to terms with it. Overall, I’m excited to continue to use the skills I’ve learned in this program for my daily work, and to have the completed degree as a testament to all that time and effort. 

How will you use this degree? Where are you going to work?

I have held the title of Knowledge Management Specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for over seven years. I plan to continue here for the foreseeable future and put my degree to use in the work I do with library services, contract negotiation/administration, data management, and beyond. 

What was your favorite class and why?

LAW 802E: Law and A.I. for Professionals. This course was a great opportunity to discuss the societal, ethical, and philosophical implications of artificial intelligence in a small group with fellow students with a variety of backgrounds and professions. I valued the chance to critically discuss my reactions—both knee-jerk and well-considered—to the ways A.I. is very quickly becoming a part of daily life for many of us. 

Who was your favorite professor and why?

Dr. Andrea Quinn, who was the professor of that same class. She brought such positivity and enthusiasm to the material, especially during open office hours. I could tell she was very honored and pleased to be teaching the course, and that attitude was infectious.  

Who is your personal support system?

My wife, Catherine, without a doubt. She was very supportive of my pursuing this degree from the beginning and throughout. She is such a strong, smart, and wise person and I am very lucky to have her in my life. Especially this past semester, she would immediately lift me out of the doldrums by saying, “You’re so close!” Our son, Presley (now closing in on a year and half!) is also a major motivator. He instantly brightens my mood with his sweetness, curiosity, and fun-loving disposition. Our dog Ziggy deserves an honorable mention, too, as he was often nearby to provide emotional support from the couch or bed while I studied. 

What kind of support did you get from the institution during your time in school?

I was very grateful for the partial academic scholarship that I maintained throughout the program. That discount meant that I could take three courses per year and stay under the amount allotted by my employer. 

What does it mean to be an alum of Emory Law?

I’m not quite sure yet since this status is just beginning for me, but my hope is that it means prioritizing life-long learning, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of truth and excellence. 

Where did you get your undergraduate education?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison. I received a BA in English/Creative Writing in 2006. I also have a Master of Arts in Portuguese/Brazilian Studies from Brown University (2013) and a Master of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2016). 

How have you maintained resilience through the process of getting this degree?

To say the least, it was not always easy to find time, energy, and focus to do my coursework. But committing to the evening hours (usually between 8 and 10:00pm) before most assignments were due at midnight seemed to be a practical habit for always staying on top of things. I also should credit my employer for clearly laying out the policies of their reimbursement program so that I could always focus on the bigger picture and keep moving forward. In general, though, it helped to always think about the end goal as a win-win: a credential that would contribute to both my own career and the mission of my employer in equal parts.