Cortnie Orr is a law student with a growing passion for intellectual property and a strong interest in civil litigation. She is pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where she is a candidate on the Review of Intellectual Property Law.

Before pursuing law, Cortnie spent five years as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools. A Chicago native and CPS alumna, she built strong connections with the community she served. Working with children with disabilities, adapting curricula and developing and implementing legally mandated documents strengthened her analytical skills, adaptability and ability to meet deadlines. These experiences continue to inform her attentive, client-first approach.

At UIC Law, Cortnie served as the part-time delegate for the Black Law Students Association, advocating for students balancing work, family obligations and coursework. She helped strengthen connections between full-time and part-time students and foster a more inclusive law school community.