05/29/2026
We are excited to welcome two law clerks, Siri and Mary Faith to BSM this summer! We celebrate Siri Cortez for our first profile of our law clerks.
Siri is originally from New York City, but has lived in South Carolina for twelve years and Columbia for nine. Her undergraduate degree is in philosophy with a minor in visual arts. After completing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina she moved back to NYC to study art at the Art Students League of New York.
Her strong sense of justice and desire to keep learning led her to pursue a career in the law. Before she applied to law school, Siri had a growing sense that she wanted to pursue an intellectually stimulating career that had potential to effect change. While working at the local bookstore, she met more lawyers in the Columbia community and knew this was where she wanted to start and build her legal career.
Siri is a rising third-year law student at the University of South Carolina School of Law. She has worked as a research assistant to Law Professor Benjamin Means, where she researched issues involving Black and Family-owned agricultural operations. She is also a member of the Environmental Law Society, the Black Law Students Association, the Social Media Coordinator for the Student Animal Defense League, and the Treasurer of the Latino Law Students Association.
Outside of law school and work, Siri’s interests include horses, dogs, painting, and reading. We’re happy to have Siri as a member of our team!
