MALDEF’S 2023-2024 LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

University of Illinois, Chicago School of Law

Alexis Hernández is a first-generation daughter of Mexican Immigrants. Passionate about social justice, she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in both sociology and political science with a focus in civic leadership. At the conclusion of her senior year, Alexis was a congressional intern with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She then went on to attend UIC School of Law. While in law school, Alexis was an Illinois Public Interest Law Initiative Intern with MALDEF. She also interned with the U.S. Department of Labor and with Illinois Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes. Alexis is a first-year associate at Ogletree Deakins.

UC Berkeley School of Law

Celeste Gómez is the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. As a formerly undocumented student, Celeste is committed to transforming the legal system into one that truly serves and empowers her community. Whether by establishing a legal practice dedicated to advocating for Latino clients or investing in non-profit initiatives that champion immigrants’ rights, Celeste is determined to create lasting change. Beyond legal advocacy, Celeste is passionate about increasing educational opportunities for future generations, pledging to offer scholarships for first-generation Latino students pursuing professional careers. After graduation, Celeste will begin her practice with Mayer Brown's litigation team.

Arizona State University Sandra O’Connor College of Law

Jacob Martinez is the grandson of a Mexican immigrant construction worker in Arizona. While attending Arizona State University for undergrad, Jacob worked as a community organizer in his home city of Mesa helping residents fight displacement and take ownership over the neighborhoods they live in. This was where he got his passion for public service and serving the community around him, and what ultimately inspired him to go to law school. After graduation, Jacob hopes to land a job that allows him to continue being able to pursue this work and fight for what’s right.

Michigan State University College of Law

Janet Ibarra is the daughter of Mexican farmworkers in rural Michigan. Working in the fields with her family inspired her at a young age to pursue a legal education to help bridge the gap in legal resources for communities like hers. During law school, she has interned with the Office of Legal Counsel for the Governor and participated in the American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program. Upon graduation, she hopes to practice immigration and labor and employment law.

CUNY School of Law

Jennifer Cardoza is the proud daughter of a Mexican mother and Salvadoran father and was raised in South Central Los Angeles. The first in her family to attend and graduate college, Jennifer earned a bachelor's and master's degree from USC and is now at CUNY School of Law. With internships at the Legal Aid Society of New York and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, she is dedicated to civil rights and restorative justice. After graduation, Jennifer aims to become a civil rights attorney, fighting for equitable and humane treatment, for all marginalized people, through social change and restorative justice.

Texas Tech School of Law

Juan D. Torres-Monroy is the oldest son of Mexican immigrants who migrated to the United States in pursuit of a better life for their children. Growing up undocumented in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas sparked his desire to assist his immigrant community. At Texas Tech Law, he serves as the Immigration Law Association President and will be part of the inaugural cohort of Tech’s Immigration Law Clinic. Upon graduation, he will donate his time to non-profit immigration organizations by providing legal services and advocating for his community.

Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Laura Padilla is a second-year law student interested in civil litigation. Laura’s experiences growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in a working-class community motivated her to seek a career in law. Passionate about public service, Laura obtained a bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University and held roles working in immigration law and municipal government prior to law school. As a law student, Laura serves at the President of Loyola’s Latino Law Student Association and participates in Moot Court. Last summer, Laura worked as a Summer Associate for a plaintiff’s civil rights firm.

UC Davis School of Law

Nayarith Franco-Vasquez is a first-generation law student with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the daughter of Guatemalan immigrant business owners in Los Angeles. Growing up, she witnessed the challenges her family and community faced navigating immigration and healthcare barriers, sparking her passion for public interest law. At UC Davis School of Law, she is a student attorney with the Immigration Law Clinic and Co-Chair of LaLSA. After law school, she plans to pursue a career in litigation and public interest law, advocating for immigrant and marginalized communities.

UCLA School of Law

Growing up in Santa Ana, Roger Valencia experienced firsthand the barriers the immigrant community faces. Roger is a Mexican immigrant who has dedicated his entire career to helping advance the immigrant community. As a double Bruin, Roger has used his time at the UCLA School of Law to successfully represent immigrants in removal proceedings and those who have been exploited for their labor. After law school, Roger hopes to bring about legislative changes that will have a positive impact on immigrant communities both through immigration and employment reform.

UC Berkeley School of Law

Victoria Esparza is a second-year law student at Berkeley Law and a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. After law school, she aspires to advocate for immigration reform and uplift underrepresented communities. Her passion for public service has led her to mentor undocumented /DACA students, work as a Staff Assistant to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar on Capitol Hill, and extern for Southern District of New York Judge Analisa Torres. Now, she continues her work in the legal and policy space as a law clerk for the Senate Judiciary Committee under Ranking Member Senator Dick Durbin.