Changing the face of the legal profession

We envision a world in which the legal landscape reflects the diversity of our communities. A more diverse legal community is a more just community.

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Upcoming Events

august

2026tue11aug6:00 pmSide Bar Cafe: LEAP Informational Webinar6:00 pm PST

october

2026sun25octAll DayTake the LEAP 2026(All Day: sunday) PST

LEAP FELLOWS HIGHLIGHT: Kaleinani Nallira

Meet Kaleinani “Nani” Nallira, a Berkeley Law graduate now working at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York. Inspired by her experience with LEAP, Nani has built the confidence, skills, and sense of belonging that have fueled her dream career in law. As a proud woman of color in the legal field, she is committed to mentoring future fellows and supporting LEAP’s mission to diversify the profession.

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What is LEAP?

We provide comprehensive law school admissions assistance through a nine-month fellowship. The LEAP fellowship gives students access and exposure to practicing attorneys, and offers a meticulously designed curriculum to help them become competitive law school applicants, successful law students, and future changemakers.

Why get involved with LEAP?

The legal sector wields power to promote a justice system that works for all citizens, and to lift up those who are living on the margins of society. The profession also supplies positions of leadership and authority, like lawmakers and executives. LEAP builds equity and access by working with students who are underrepresented in the legal field. We help LEAP Fellows to prepare for law school and a successful career as lawyers and change agents in their communities through a transformative nine month fellowship. Be part of the change and join our efforts.

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Fellows

We look forward to accepting applications for our seventh cohort in September 2025.

Mentors & Volunteers

Mentors and volunteer instructors make LEAP possible by lending their valuable experience and expertise to the program. Read more about how you can get involved as a mentor or volunteer.

Supporters & Allies

Supporters, allies, and connectors are critically important to the success of this work. Learn more about different ways to support LEAP here.

Legal Education Access Pipeline

This work matters.

Pipeline programs play an important role in building equity in our legal system and our society. They make sure that there’s better representation of our communities among lawmakers, among legal professionals, and in positions of leadership. When there’s better representation in the legal profession, marginalized groups also have a better shot at being represented equitably in court or being considered when legislation is drafted. Representation matters.

There is an enormous opportunity to improve representation in the California legal system where LEAP is based. For instance, Latinx attorneys make up only 6% of law professionals while accounting for 35% of the state population.

Impact

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“It's important to have a program that recognizes the value in my diversity as a first-generation college graduate from a low-income immigrant family because we have specific needs and problems that no other law students face. LEAP helps law students like me connect with others who share a similar narrative and show us that we can have a successful career in the law.”
Alyssa

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“Without LEAP I would not have the resources to apply to law school, let alone be accepted. Without this incredible fellowship, I would not have been able to afford the applications, LSAT prep, or find time to connect with multiple attorneys who look like me and are doing amazing things in the field. Without LEAP and the generous donations, my dream of attending law school, becoming an attorney, advocating for Latinx communities, and helping the next generation would have been delayed, or never realized into a reality. Thanks to LEAP, I was able to conceptualize the law school application process, become a competitive applicant, and focus all of my time and energy to the thing I wanted the most, to become a latinx attorney.”
Pablo

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“LEAP connected me with professionals who guided me through applications, career decisions, and networking—ultimately shaping my path in ways I never expected. Without programs like LEAP, many aspiring lawyers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, might never get the support they need to succeed. Investing in LEAP isn’t just funding a program—it’s investing in future attorneys who will go on to make a difference in their communities.”
Alondra