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Early Careers Series: Valentina Sabatakos talks so Legal Women about her career aspirations as an International Lawyer
The Spark
The first time the Law had ever been brought to my attention was when I was eight years old, curled up on my living room couch, watching Legally Blonde for the first time. For years, I was too embarrassed to admit that a classic romantic comedy following the university career of an “unapologetically pink” sorority girl began my fascination with becoming a lawyer. However, the more I matured, the more I realised how much I looked up to Elle Woods. She challenged all sorts of stereotypes and taught me that the courtroom could be a place where a woman could command, empower, and advocate, without ever sacrificing her femininity.
My Drive to Justice
Law is now no longer just a career to me, but a powerful instrument of liberation and positive change. A real passion for law emerged throughout the years since that first spark. Now as a student in Secondary School, I have developed a specific interest in the sector of Human Rights.
I have been involved in the Youth Homeless Community in Los Angeles for as long as I can remember. Since before I was born, my family has hosted annual charity events at local homeless shelters, and the tradition has carried on to this day. I am someone who takes interest in hearing people’s life stories and I am always deeply touched or affected by them. I have seen firsthand how individuals get reeled in and then stuck in a cycle of inequality and poverty with little to no hope of getting out. Although I do my best to support this system through volunteering and charity, at the end of the day, change needs to be applied through Policy and Legal Protection.
Recently my interest in Immigration Law has also skyrocketed since I’ve grown up in a city built by the labour and culture of immigrants. Both my mother and father are immigrants, and their hard work is what allows me to be where I am now and where I will be in a few years. This is what influences my personal concern in defending Immigrant Rights. With growing rates of mass deportations and discrimination towards immigrant communities, I feel passionate about advocating for those who are facing unjust attack and persecution. For me, Immigration Law is about protecting Family, Freedom, and Opportunity.
A Look at International Relations
The concept of International Law is quite new to me, and I was only introduced to it recently when I joined the Model United Nations. I do believe that one day I would like to pursue the career of becoming an International Lawyer because I’m so fascinated with how Law and Diplomacy come together on such a large scale. I really enjoyed the time I spent researching current issues that affect the world in many ways, and I also liked the idea of cooperating with other countries to come up with plausible solutions to our shared conflicts.
Being a part of Model UN gave me a broader perspective on global challenges and that is something that I hope to one day impact in a meaningful way.
The Future
Although I still have years of learning ahead of me, I know I want to be a lawyer someday. I have no interest in becoming an Attorney for the title or prestige but rather for the honourable opportunity to protect and advocate for those who need it most. I hope to one day have the privilege of working for large organisations that protect displaced youth and underserved communities- whether that's in a courtroom or across borders.
Valentina Sabatakos
Student- New West Charter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-sabatakos-3a650b372/
September 2025