Feature Stories UMass Law: Sean Perrine '25: Measurable impact

Sean Perrine '25 knew from a young age that he wanted to make an impact on the world around him. Growing up in a military family and living in 12 different states, he developed a deep appreciation for justice, public service, and civic life. That early exposure eventually led him to pursue law—and to a law school renowned for public service.

"I was always fascinated by civics and government, going back to eighth grade," Perrine said. "In high school, I had the chance to meet a Senior Judge Advocate General (JAG officer) who showed me around the office. I had no idea military attorneys existed, but once I saw how broad and impactful their work could be, I knew that's what I wanted to do."

From prosecuting serious crimes to helping service members with estate planning, Perrine found the variety and mission of the US Army JAG Corps and other public service work compelling.

"Doctors help people heal. Teachers help people learn. Lawyers help people find justice," he said. "That's what I wanted—to help people navigate the system and make a measurable impact, even if it's behind the scenes."

"Having an untraditional upbringing because of my experience as a military kid and being a first-generation law student, I appreciated the diversity of life experiences in my classmates at UMass Law."

Choosing UMass Law

What stands out about UMass Law?

"UMass Law isn't the traditional 'big law' feeder school where all the students are third-generation attorneys. UMass Law provides a legal education to the types of students who might otherwise not have had access to a JD. As such, the student body has a very diverse background. Having an untraditional upbringing because of my experience as a military kid and being a first-generation law student, I appreciated the diversity of life experiences in my classmates at UMass Law.

"The school's emphasis on public interest also aligned with my career goals, and my mom's side of the family lives in Massachusetts, so I was able to spend more time with my grandparents on some weekends."

Do you have any advice for other out-of-state students?

"Take advantage of the close proximity to UMass Dartmouth's main campus. Having on-campus housing is such a bonus when you're unfamiliar with an area, because you know it's going to be safe, and you'll be surrounded by a community of other law and grad students. On-campus dining, library, and other spaces designed for students are luxuries compared to standalone law schools."

What did you think of the SouthCoast area?

"I was surprised how much I liked it. The food scene is incredible. Everyone knows about the high-quality restaurants in Boston's North End, but some of the places you'll find in New Bedford go toe-to-toe 15 minutes from campus."

Practical Experience: MA Attorney General Clinic 

Taking advantage of UMass Law's hands-on learning opportunities, Perrine was a member of UMass Law's inaugural State Attorney General's Clinic.

What was your day-to-day in the MA AG's Clinic?

"We got to pick from more than 20 topics we were interested in. I picked the Medicaid Fraud Division. Day to day, I was mostly conducting legal research and reviewing documents. You get to sort of dive down the rabbit hole to see how far cases of abuse or corruption go. With extensive legal research, you see that Medicaid fraud is nothing new and there are repeat offenders like hospital chains and pharmaceutical companies."

What stood out about the Medicaid Fraud Division?

"Medicaid fraud is an interesting unit because they go after some really big fish: nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and healthcare networks. These cases are always in the news, and the Medicaid Fraud Division's work recovers millions in taxpayer dollars. Medicaid is a government program that is essential for many working families in the United States, and fighting against those who prey on those less fortunate is an honor."

Why should law students pursue the State AG Clinic?

"A state attorney general's office has a broader and often more immediate impact on your community than most federal legal offices. State AGs serve as the people's lawyer for the entire state, tackling issues that affect residents' daily lives.

"From education and healthcare to consumer protection, cybercrime, environmental justice, and even overturning wrongful convictions, their work spans nearly every corner of the legal system. If you’re looking for a meaningful and dynamic place to begin your legal career, a state AG's office is an excellent starting point."

What's next?

How did your clinic experience prepare you for full-time work?

"The clinic challenged me to write better. The AG's office has some of the best attorneys in the legal profession, and it challenges you to produce the best quality work possible. Being able to do that and improve your work is crucial to be prepared for full-time work as an attorney."

What excites you most about starting your career?

"I'm excited to gain a lot of trial experience and be in the courtroom often when I first start. I want to make an impact in a measurable way, and there's nowhere better to do that."

Do you feel prepared to start your career?

"I do. UMass Law prepares students differently than other law schools. Small class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors much easier. The school also works hard to make sure we get practical experience before graduating through pro bono requirements, practice courses, and clinic/field placements.

"UMass Law also encourages students to notice the access to justice issues that persist in the United States and that more attorneys of different backgrounds are needed to advocate for different groups of people. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who need quality legal representation that cannot afford it, and we need more people who want to change that."

Sean Perrine '25: Measurable impact

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