Michael Arterburn
LSU Law Class of 2021 graduates Michael Arterburn and Pearson Wolk, both of whom will begin their studies in the LLM in Taxation program at NYU School of Law this fall, have been awarded the LSU Law Professor Susan Kalinka Memorial Endowed Scholarship/LLM Tax Award.
The Kalinka Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 in memory of the late Professor Susan Kalinka, who taught courses in a variety of tax law, real estate law, and policy topics. The scholarship was established by friends, family, colleagues, and students, and endowed by her husband, David. This year, LSU Law Professor Elizabeth Carter donated additional funds to increase the financial support the scholarship provides recipients, who must be third-year students who have been accepted and enrolled in an LLM Tax program following graduation.
Arterburn and Wolk credit their LSU Law tax classes for preparing them to be accepted into the highly competitive and prestigious LLM in Taxation program at NYU School of Law.
“LSU Tax Law professors unwind the most complex topics with ease,” says Arterburn. “Learning the intricacies of the tax code from LSU’s professors is incredible because they show the practical application of the classroom material through their years of real-world experience.”
Pearson Wolk
Wolk encourages all LSU Law students to take tax law classes, even those who, like him, didn’t enjoy their undergraduate math and accounting courses.
“Do not let a fear of numbers dissuade you from taking a tax class,” says Wolk. “I took one math class and two accounting classes in college and hated every minute of it, but Professor Carter’s Income Tax 1 was my favorite class in law school. I’m begging you to take the leap of faith and sign up for a tax course. At the very worst, you’ll find out you don’t like tax and can cross it off your list of potential practice areas.”
Wolk earned his bachelor’s degree in strategic communications at Washington and Lee University. At LSU Law, he was a Tax Law Society member, Student Bar Association first year mentor, and Senior Graduate Editor of the Journal of Civic Law Studies. He was also a summer associate at Bradley Murchison LLC in Baton Rouge, a judicial extern at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, a summer clerk at the East Baton Rouge Office of the Public Defender, and a summer intern at Porter Hedges LLP in Houston.
Arterburn earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at Texas Christian University, with a minor in economics and general business. During his time at LSU Law, he was an extern at the Louisiana Department of Revenue Litigation Division, a judicial intern for Chief Judge Shelly Dick of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, an assistant for Professor Carter, and a legal assistant at the Louisiana State Board of Tax Appeals. He was also a member of the Tax Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Board of Advocates, and LSU Internal and National Moot Court Teams.
“Competing on the National Tax Moot Court Team was a highlight of my law school career,” he says. “The opportunity to collaborate with my peers, explore unique issues in tax law, and network with practitioners throughout the country was invaluable.”
