Vanessa Aponte

Class of 2026As a law student who wants to dedicate her legal career to public service, the Public Interest Fellowship was a no-brainer. The program provides unparalleled opportunities to network within the Nevada legal community, and I've gotten to learn about the unique journeys of various public interest attorneys. Through the Public Interest Fellowship, I'm also attending an out-of-state conference hosted by the Innocence Network so I can learn firsthand from appellate attorneys and public defenders who work on wrongful conviction cases. Being a first-generation law student can feel overwhelming---as I never had a guide on how to be a successful law student and attorney---but this fellowship fills the gaps. With all the knowledge I've gained, I feel over-prepared to become an advocate for marginalized communities. I'm eternally grateful to be a Public Interest Fellow, and I would highly recommend anyone who wants to become an attorney for the sake of helping others to apply!

Scott Cunningham

Class of 2026I became a public interest fellow to follow in the path my mother started as a lifelong public school teacher. As a teacher myself before law school, I was exposed to the societal issues that many of my students faced. Students who felt forgotten by the public systems around them. Anything I can do in my position to help people who don’t have the resources to help themselves is something worth pursuing. 

Isabella Iacob

Class of 2026Before law school, I had the privilege of working with survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Unfortunately, during this time, I witnessed firsthand the injustice and inequality faced by this vulnerable group of individuals. Witnessing the challenges these survivors underwent further fueled my determination to take action. I chose to become a Public Interest Fellow to do my part in addressing these injustices and ensuring representation for all communities, especially survivors of abuse.

Macie Nielsen

Class of 2026Before I knew I wanted to come to law school, I knew I wanted to have a career focused on supporting and serving my community. I got a master's degree in social work and was fortunate enough be involved with a variety of amazing non-profit organizations. These organizations, and the people I interacted with, inspired my love for public interest work. Becoming a Public Interest Fellow was a natural transition when I started law school because of my desire to continue learning about how I can make a positive impact in the lives of those navigating the legal system. Being a Public Interest Fellow gives me an opportunity to connect with other students who share my goals and passion for our futures in the field and I am honored to be a part of the work they are doing. 

Blanca Pena Nevarez

Class of 2026I chose to participate in the Public Interest Fellowship program because I am incredibly passionate about public interest law. I align with its values of social justice and equity, am intrigued by its diverse range of issue areas, its collaborative and community-oriented approach, as well as its opportunities for innovative and impactful legal advocacy. Through public interest law, I am able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while contributing to the advancement of a more just and equitable society. As a first-generation immigrant latina in law school, I have had to deal with my fair share of trials and tribulations throughout my professional and personal journey. The obstacles I faced have given me a deep-seated commitment to systemic change and a positive societal transformation, by advocating for the rights and interests of marginalized communities and challenging injustice. Unlike traditional legal practice, one that often prioritizes financial gain and corporate interests, public interest law places emphasis on serving the common good and addressing the needs of the underserved and/or disadvantaged. The shift in focus to fairness, equality, and compassion is immensely gratifying and fulfilling for myself as someone who derives satisfaction from making a tangible difference in the lives of others, ultimately leading to the advancement of broader societal goals. Having the honor of being a public interest fellow, I hope to amplify my passions and make the difference I have been dreaming to make alongside my peers! 

Austin Lipson

Class of 2025My desire to do public interest work is what brought me to law school, and I am grateful to the Public Interest Fellowship for helping students accomplish such goals.  There are too many people in this country who need legal services but cannot obtain them.  After I graduate, I hope to do my part in providing those services.

Joshua Lozano

Class of 2025I'm grateful to be selected as a Public Interest Fellow, joining a phenomenal group driven by a shared commitment to serving others. I applied primarily for two reasons. First, to make law and access to justice more accessible within our community. Second, because of the mentorship opportunity. Many of the past fellows are heavily involved in our community, and it's a privilege to have them as mentors. I hope to follow the model example set by them and repay their kindness back to future fellows.

Jessica Velazquez-Ramirez

Class of 2025Growing up, I regularly witnessed how inaccessibility to resources and legal services created and fortified barriers in my community. I quickly realized that despite our legal system having the capacity to protect vulnerable populations, language barriers, and unaffordable services often created insurmountable obstacles for those same people. As a first-generation Latina, having endured the effects of numerous financial and social barriers that have befallen my community, I’ve used these hardships as lessons in understanding the impact the law has on those oppressed by systematic failures. I’m honored to be a Public Interest Fellow and feel privileged to have been granted the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to advocate on behalf of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the gaps in our current legal system.