Bernie Aldape III
Class of 2012
Education:
B.A., Government, The University of Texas at Austin
Biography:
Bernie Aldape, a native Houstonian, did not take the traditional path to
law school. After completing two years at the University of Texas at
Austin, Bernie joined the United States Marine Corps. Having served in
Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, he returned to school with a
newfound passion for learning and service. After completing his work at
UT-Austin Bernie knew he wanted to pursue a career in criminal law and
public policy.
The summer after his 1L year, he participated in a comparative law
program at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South
Africa. Courses in comparative constitutional law, criminal justice and
dispute resolution helped him gain a better understanding of the
international environment. His second year of law school, Bernie was
selected by State Senator Rodney Ellis to participate in the Texas
Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) during the 82nd Texas Legislature.
Placed in the office of State Representative Veronica Gonzales, he
served as a law clerk analyzing and researching proposed legislation in
the areas of criminal justice, public higher education, and veteran’s
affairs.
“I believe regardless of the career you are pursuing or even if you
are unsure of what you would like to do, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
offers opportunities to explore those options. In my time at TMSL,
I have had the opportunity to explore the law as it compares to that in
South Africa and received, rare, first hand experience of the
legislative process while working at the state capital.”
In school, Bernie serves as president of the Hispanic Law Students
Association and as a student ambassador, providing assistance to
prospective and incoming students and visitors.
