STUDENT PROFILE

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Abby Bourgeois: Coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) at the University of Florida Levin College of Law[By Heather Jung]

Whenever tax season rolls around, the stress level of most Americans skyrockets. People spend weeks filling out the correct forms,

worrying about exemptions, and trying to get back as much money as possible on their tax returns, all the while trying to ensure

they do not receive the dreaded IRS tax audit. While many middle- and upper-class citizens choose to utilize tax accountants,

those with lower incomes may find these services outside of their means. Students at the University of Florida Levin College of

Law annually host the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) in order to help those citizens with financial difficulties

prepare their taxes. Abby Bourgeois, a 3L at Levin, has helped with the program since her first year and is serving as a coordinator

for this year’s program.

“Tax time is a particularly stressful time for

many people,” Bourgeois said. “VITA helps

relieve that stress, providing a free resource

for taxpayers who are confused by the process

or can’t afford a paid tax preparer.”

According to Bourgeois, her favorite class

thus far has been the two-part Bankruptcy

course, which gave her the chance to meet

with Bankruptcy Judges and Practitioners

throughout Florida.

“The course focused on real world application

and each session required the class to read a

set of facts and discuss the issues/resolution

with the visiting lecturer. Learning from

such experienced and respected judges

and practitioners was an irreplaceable

experience,” Bourgeois said.

As an undergraduate, Bourgeois graduated

from the University of Florida Warrington

College of Business with a degree in Finance

in 2004. She says that she enjoys the study

of law because she has always “been curious

about the way things work.”

“Law school provides an inside view of what

happens behind the scenes, beyond what is

available in newspaper articles or simple

observation,” she said.

During her undergraduate studies, she received

her real estate license and opened her own

business, Abbco Realty, Inc. After graduating

from law school, she plans to join the Phelps

Dunbar firm in their Transactional Real Estate

and Business group in Tampa, where she

recently purchased a house. Bourgeois interned

as a clerk for the firm, an experience she feels

was invaluable because it gave her experience

in a variety of practical areas.

According to Bourgeois, her favorite part of

law school has been the relationships she has

formed with her peers. She considers her

peers to be the ones who have influenced her

the most during her time at law school.

“The people I met in law school have such

diverse interests and backgrounds. Learning

from them has been the most rewarding and

influential part of law school,” Bourgeois said.

On the net

University of Florida Levin College of Law

www.law.ufl.edu

VITA

www.irs.gov/individuals/article/

0,,id=�07626,00.html.

Phelps Dunbar

www.phelpsdunbar.com/home_flash.html Q. What do you do for fun? A. Camping, boating, and anything outdoors.

Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. A mix CD.

Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. Time.

Q. What is your favorite tV show? A. Anything on the Food Network!

Q. Who is your role model? A. My parents.