Emily Cocea: A Rising Legal Mind Bridging Law, Media, and Public Policy
Driven by an inspiring blend of passion and experience, Emily Cocea stands at the forefront of a new generation of legal professionals poised to impact the intersection of law, media, and public policy. As an incoming 1L at the prestigious University of Michigan Law School, Emily’s journey reflects an interdisciplinary approach shaped by rigorous academic training and practical engagements in diverse fields such as corporate advocacy, digital rights, and strategic communications. This article delves into her education, career experiences, honours, and aspirations that uniquely position her as a future leader in law and policy.
Early Academic Foundations: Carnegie Mellon University
Emily Cocea’s academic journey began at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Decision Science, complemented by minors in Business Administration and Public Policy. This combination provided her with a robust analytical toolkit and a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics between corporate strategy, governmental regulations, and societal impact.
Her tenure at CMU was marked not only by academic excellence but also by active engagement in research and extracurricular activities. Emily’s commitment to academic rigour earned her multiple honours, including placements on the Dean’s List. Notably, in the Fall of 2022, she achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, a testament to her dedication and intellectual prowess. Additionally, in Spring 2022, Emily earned recognition from the Dietrich College of Humanities for maintaining a GPA of 3.84, further highlighting her consistent high performance.
During her time at CMU, Emily also demonstrated leadership in student societies such as Kappa Kappa Gamma and Social Strategic Impact, where she honed skills in collaboration, advocacy, and project management. These experiences would become foundational as she transitioned into professional roles that demanded strategic thinking and effective communication.
Professional Experience: Bridging Theory and Practice
Emily’s career so far reflects a deliberate effort to gain multidisciplinary expertise, positioning her at the nexus of law, media, and technology.
PwC: Cloud Managed Services Intern
In summer 2024, Emily interned at PwC in Dallas, Texas, within their Cloud Managed Services division. This role allowed her to develop practical skills in client relationship management, project organisation, and technical documentation. She contributed by creating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents and uploading knowledge articles to support client projects. Through this experience, Emily refined her proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, along with organisational and communication skills critical for managing complex projects in a hybrid work environment.
LobbyIt: Internship in Strategic Communications and Policy Research
Earlier, from August to December 2023, Emily interned at LobbyIt, a Washington D.C.-Baltimore area-based public affairs firm. Here, she supported strategic lobbying efforts by conducting detailed legislative research, preparing comprehensive briefs for stakeholders, and attending congressional meetings to record vital information. This experience exposed her to the practicalities of policy advocacy and legislative processes, sharpening her abilities in report writing, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement.
Playboy Enterprises, Inc.: PlayboyU Division Head
One of the most distinctive chapters of Emily’s career was her role as the Division Head of PlayboyU at PLBY Group, Inc., from January to September 2023. Leading a newly formed division projected to add $18 million in annual gross revenue, Emily advised Playboy models in collaboration with the company’s legal team, primarily focusing on DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown policies.
Her responsibilities included liaising with various divisions within Playboy, attending bi-weekly leadership meetings, and steering initiatives designed to empower creators while navigating complex copyright and digital rights issues. This role not only deepened her understanding of legal frameworks around media and content creation but also allowed her to develop leadership skills and high-stakes communication strategies.
Carnegie Mellon University: Research Assistant
Alongside her studies, Emily worked as a Research Assistant at CMU from November 2021 to May 2023. She conducted interviews exploring rationales behind organ donation participation, meticulously transcribed and coded data, and contributed to peer discussions that connected research findings. This role demanded analytical precision, methodological rigor, and the ability to synthesise qualitative data—skills that align well with legal research and critical analysis.
Academic Honours and Awards
Emily’s academic journey is distinguished by significant accolades that reflect both her intellectual calibre and work ethic:
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Dean’s List, Carnegie Mellon University (December 2022): Achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA for the Fall semester.
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Dean’s List, Dietrich College of Humanities (May 2022): Recognition for a 3.84 GPA in the Spring semester.
These honours underscore Emily’s consistent academic excellence in a demanding university environment.
Educational Aspirations: University of Michigan Law School
Looking ahead, Emily is set to commence her Juris Doctor (JD) studies at the University of Michigan Law School in August 2025. This next phase marks a critical milestone in her journey to becoming a legal professional equipped to tackle complex challenges in law, media, and policy.
Her interdisciplinary background in decision science, business, and public policy, coupled with hands-on experience in strategic communications and digital rights, uniquely equips her for success in legal studies. Emily has expressed a particular interest in exploring how emerging industries intersect with regulatory frameworks and how legal systems can evolve to protect creators, workers, and consumers in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The Interdisciplinary Approach: Advocacy, Strategy, and Legal Insight
Emily Cocea’s profile exemplifies the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to modern legal challenges. Her combined expertise in decision science and public policy, supported by leadership roles in both corporate and research settings, allows her to navigate complex issues where law, media, and technology converge.
From managing DMCA takedown advisories at Playboy to engaging with legislative processes in Washington D.C., Emily has developed a unique perspective on how law interacts with digital content, intellectual property rights, and corporate responsibility. This holistic understanding is crucial as legal frameworks adapt to the realities of the digital age.
Moreover, her practical experience at PwC and LobbyIt has fortified her skills in project management, strategic communication, and research—key competencies for any legal professional aiming to make an impact beyond traditional courtrooms.
Conclusion
Emily Cocea’s trajectory reflects a determined and multifaceted approach to legal education and advocacy. Her achievements, from outstanding academic records at Carnegie Mellon University to influential roles in strategic communication and digital rights management, position her as a promising future leader at the crossroads of law, media, and policy.
As she embarks on her JD journey at the University of Michigan Law School, Emily is poised to leverage her diverse experiences and interdisciplinary skills to shape the evolving legal landscape in ways that protect rights, empower creators, and foster responsible innovation.
Her story serves as an inspiring example for aspiring legal professionals who seek to blend intellectual rigour with practical impact in an increasingly complex world.
