Howard Law Mourns the Loss of 3L Student Saron Fessehaye Berhe

The Howard University School of Law community is deeply saddened by the loss of one of its own – 3L student Saron “Sweet” Fessehaye Berhe, who died Monday, Jan. 17.

Originally born in Asmara, Eritrea, Saron settled as a young girl with her family in Phoenix, Arizona. She came to Howard law after graduating from Arizona State University with degrees in business and political science and then working for several years. Saron was in her last semester at Howard law and was extremely active in the community as president of the African Law Students Association, a student-attorney in the Fair Housing Clinic and with the World Bank Group Externship.

Very close to her family and friends, Saron was an avid traveler, including trips to Rome, Australia, Yosemite and Napa Valley. Not just a leisure traveler, she enjoyed taking on big adventures such as sky diving in Australia. She had a deep faith in Jesus and loved God with her whole being.

Danielle Holley-Walker, dean, Howard University School of Law, has fond memories of Saron as a student in her Legislation and Regulation class during the fall 2019 semester.

“She was an extremely engaged student, and often reached out to talk about class and her future career goals,” Holley-Walker said. “I saw the way that she helped her friends and colleagues, and I knew she had a very bright legal career ahead. Just recently, Saron had settled on her first post-law school job, agreeing to take an associate position with a New York Law firm.”

Saron was deeply committed to the study of law. She wrote a final reflection memo for her clinics work.

“This past semester, I had the goal of doing more speaking engagements and taking on more special projects,” Saron wrote. “I feel that I have grown a lot this spring semester in truly finding my voice—both during supervision meetings and through my clinic work. I’m honestly proud of the growth I have shown and the confidence I have gained…I love being able to provide information that empowers others…”

All who knew Saron and experienced her tremendous kindness will deeply miss her, Holley-Walker said.

“She was full of joy and life, and we mourn her being gone too soon,” Holley-Walker said. “I extend my deepest condolences to Saron’s family, and to her many friends and professors here at the law school.”