This post is the first of a new regular series, On the Stand, in which we will profile members of the Pierce Law Community. The series will primarily feature students but will include some staff and faculty.--Ed.

Alberto Interian III, a student in the second year of the JD program, came to Pierce Law with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. The eldest of eight siblings Alberto was born in Miami, Florida, where his parents settled after coming to the U.S. from Cuba in the 1960s in search of political freedom.

He could not have pointed out New Hampshire on a map when he first heard of the school, Alberto says, but was convinced to apply after learning about the great IP program. “Having never lived very far from my home in Miami, I thought it would be an interesting experience to live in a small town in a different part of the country.”

He also thought being in New Hampshire would mean fewer distractions, making it a good place to pursue the rigors of law school. But, there are so many nice things to do right here in his new backyard, he says, that sometimes he finds it hard to confine himself to a chair for several hours a day.

At all times of year, New Hampshire will tempt anyone who loves the outdoors with many opportunities to be immersed in nature. Alberto loves to go for walks in the woods, swim in local lakes and rivers, and when it starts to snow, glade ski at local mountains. He insists he is still a city boy at heart, and loves to go out dancing, so he occasionally makes the hour-long trip to Boston to hit the dance clubs.

He also is very active at the Vrinda Center of New Hampshire, a Vaishnava temple on South Main Street in downtown Concord. (Vaishnavism is a branch of Hinduism.) Alberto helps lead several programs throughout the week, including vegetarian cooking classes, meditation and yoga classes, philosophical discussions, and Kirtan, a type of meditation which takes the form of chanting bhajans (songs) and mantras.

The bhajans are one of his favorite types of music. "It is quite stress-relieving, even when one does not understand what all the words mean," he said. He encourages everyone to come visit the Vrinda Center, especially when feeling stressed by law school and life in general.

Though he never lived anywhere but Miami before arriving in Concord, Alberto has enjoyed travelling widely. Fluency in three languages — his native Spanish, English and French — has helped him meet many very nice people in 19 different countries he has visited, as well as people from all over the world who are here in the Pierce Law community.

"It is an immense pleasure to have the opportunity to meet so many people here from such diverse backgrounds, getting to know them better both at personal and professional levels and getting such varied perspectives and opinions on so many contrasting issues, both inside and out of classrooms."

After he graduates, Alberto plans to work as a patent attorney. He wants to work with law firms as well as with nonprofit organizations and other concerns in the public interest.

Friends describe Alberto as humble and down to earth, with a smile for everyone, a great friend and someone you want to know better after you meet him the first time.

Thanks for being our first student On the Stand, Alberto! It’s nice to have met you!