This summer Bergen joined the Futurewise team. Bergen worked with our very small and mighty legal team, in a year where we’ve had plenty of comprehensive plans to review. We’ve been so happy to have you this summer!

Tell us a little about yourself! How did you end up at Futurewise?

I am a rising 2L (second-year) at the University of Washington School of Law, with a particular interest in real estate law and affordable housing. I grew up on the west coast, in Oregon and British Columbia, but I spent the last six years in Minnesota for college and two years post-grad. In college, I was a sociology major with a legal studies concentration, and, after college, I worked as a Legal Administrative Assistant for real estate tax credit attorneys. The attorneys I supported mainly did low-income housing tax credit work, and that’s really where my interest in this area of law started.

During the summer between your first and second year of law school, most students end up doing some sort of summer internship. In April, I still hadn’t found one, and that’s when Futurewise’s summer internship was posted on UW’s career page. I knew nothing about the organization at the time, but, as I read the job posting and did research for my interview, I became really excited that I could potentially have a 1L internship that aligned with my legal interests. And it’s turned out to be a great summer and amazing learning opportunity!

Why do you believe in Futurewise’s work? Why do you think what we do is important?

As someone who moved to Washington specifically because of the skiing and snow and mountains and lakes and forests our state has to offer, I know we have to work to protect our environment. Washington is a  great model for the country in terms of enacting policies that want to protect people and the environment, but there’s always more we can do (and need to do) to hold the state and local governments accountable.

What do you do outside of work?

I love to run, road bike, and ski in my free time. During the school year my days are pretty filled up with classes, homework, and extracurriculars, but I try to sneak in a run or episode of reality television when I can.  Being new to Seattle, I also have loved spending the summer exploring the parks, bars, and restaurants the city has to offer!

What’s your favorite thing about living in Washington?

I love the mountains — it’s what I missed most about being in the midwest. My parents put me on a pair of alpine skis basically right after I took my first steps, and I’m so excited to be back in close proximity to ski resorts. I’ve also enjoyed the slightly more temperate climate in Seattle, and lack of -30 degree winters.

If you could snap your fingers and fix one issue facing our state, what would it be?

The issue I’ve been most focused on this summer is affordable housing, so I think that’s what I would fix. Affordable multifamily complexes and affordable middle housing in as many places as the state can accommodate. Also climate change.