I first began working with disadvantaged youth during my college internship in the Juvenile Division of the Santa Clara County Public Defender. I walked away from the experience believing that the youth and families of color, homeless people, undocumented and documented immigrants, and differently abled people I interacted with every day needed a lawyer who could advocate on their behalf both inside and outside of the courtroom. Since then, I have decided to devote my career to direct services and policy advocacy to end the criminalization of poverty, with a focus on improving outcomes for youth of color.

During my time in law school, I became a clinic student at the Berkeley Law Policy Advocacy Clinic, where I worked to end the unjust imposition of fines and fees in juvenile justice systems across the country. With the generous support of Equal Justice America, I will continue to support fee reform efforts at East Bay Community Law Center as part of their Clean Slate program.

I learned how impactful and important direct services can be during my 2L summer working as a law clerk in the Work and Family program at Legal Aid at Work. There, I worked on employment law issues during the peak of the pandemic and staffed the Workers’ Rights Clinic, the Wage Claim clinic, and the Work and Family helpline. By working directly with clients, I observed how much of a difference compassionate legal representation can make in moments of uncertainty. I look forward to continuing this work by supporting Clean Slate’s clients and clinical students.

Racism, inequality, and criminalization place youth of color at an enormous disadvantage. By connecting youth to resources and coalitions, I hope to lead systemic reform that empowers system-involved youth to speak truth to power and be their own advocates. More than ever, youth of color need allies with legal expertise. I am immensely grateful to Equal Justice for giving me the opportunity to be that ally and help forge a community where youth of color can feel safe to walk, drive, and most importantly, thrive.