Rebecca Jimenez

Class of 2027As the daughter of immigrants and the sibling of a special needs individual, I wanted to become a public interest fellow to use my legal education to advocate for people who are often overlooked by the legal system. Growing up, I saw the challenges my family faced while trying to care for my sister’s complex medical needs—navigating healthcare systems, public services, and legal processes without access to the support or guidance they needed. These experiences shaped my commitment to public service. Whether it’s helping immigrants understand their rights or supporting families through estate matters, I hope to be the kind of advocate my own family once needed.

Karin Tidgewell

Class of 2027The greatest gift of being a Public Interest Fellow has been my front-row seat to learning how our legal community members incorporate public interest law into their practices.  Whether through participating in pro bono work or conversations with attorneys dedicated full-time to our communities' most challenging issues, the Public Interest Fellowship has inspired me to create my own plan for serving the public throughout my legal career.

Talibah Abdul-Wahid

Class of 2026As a first-generation college graduate and a survivor of domestic violence, serving my community has always been my passion. Before law school, I dedicated over a decade towards nonprofit development, working to uplift voices that often go unheard in our communities. Being selected as a public interest fellow has been an incredible honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the support that helps me continue striving toward justice for people from all backgrounds. Thank you to the faculty and staff at Boyd for believing in me, to the legal community for embracing me, and to the broader community for continuously inspiring me. Public interest work isn’t about profit—it’s about people. And I’m truly proud to be a part of this amazing community.

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! 

Constantine Arhontas

Class of 2025Maybe it's cliché, but I've always wanted to help people. Owing to my Greek and Filipino heritage, I was taught to value traditions of community, equity, and ideals of Justice. As a Public Interest Fellow, I've been allowed a part in the process. In our society, many barriers exist to keep people out; what I've been afforded is the chance to bring people in. The Fellowship has immersed me in a community of intelligent, like-minded individuals who actively seek to promote a common good. It has shaped my education as well as my legal career to come. To any incoming students reading this now—I was in your position not too long ago. My journey into Law started here at Boyd. I encourage you to take that first step, just as a previous Fellow encouraged me.

Ciara Clark

Class of 2025As a former AmeriCorps preschool teacher, Peace Corps volunteer, and DOJ International Affairs Specialist, I have dedicated the past decade to public service. I am honored to serve as a Public Interest Fellow, continuing my commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our community. My experiences have deepened my understanding of justice and equipped me to advocate passionately for those often marginalized by our legal system. As a fellow, I am committed to promoting access to justice.

Jordan De La Garza

Class of 2025This fellowship provides critical support to pursuing public interest work. It's one thing to say that you're going to change the world upon entering law school, and it's another to receive the school's support to actually do it. As a fellow, I've had extensive opportunities to connect with mentors in the field and receive funding for conferences. This opportunity has allowed me to dedicate more time to community service and pro bono legal clinics that provide free legal representation to those in our community who need it the most, such as the Tenants' Rights Residency through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. There's nothing quite like advocating for people who would otherwise be left in a legal blindspot. I appreciate how our school prioritizes public interest work and helps students overcome financial barriers to participate.

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.