Fellows

Alondra U. graduated from UCLA School of Law, class of ‘25, where she has demonstrated a commitment to both academic excellence and community involvement. As an SEO Fellow at Akin Gump in 2022, a 1L Strauss Diversity and Inclusion Scholar at Akin Gump in 2023 (with a placement at Netflix), and a 2L Summer Associate at Akin Gump in 2024, Alondra’s journey has been marked by meaningful professional opportunities. Her extracurricular involvement includes leadership roles as the Subscription Coordinator and Diversity Editor for UCLA Law Review, Social Chair and 3L Rep for the Latinx Law Students Association, and participation in the Chicanx Latinx Law Review and First Generation Law Students Association. These experiences have shaped her into a well-rounded and resilient future attorney.

Through LEAP, Alondra gained invaluable networking skills and learned how to build relationships that opened doors to opportunities she hadn’t imagined. “I learned that networking is crucial in a legal career,” she shared. “Some of my most valuable opportunities, from internships to scholarships, came from conversations with mentors and professionals I met through LEAP.” As a first-generation law student, Alondra faced the challenge of balancing academic demands with personal responsibilities but found strength in setting boundaries and prioritizing her well-being. Looking ahead, she’s excited to continue her journey at Akin Gump’s Century City office and hopes to give back to LEAP by mentoring future fellows, paying forward the guidance and support she received.

Lorenzo Pulido is a 2025 graduate of UC College of the Law, San Francisco, is committed to using his legal education to advocate for his community. His internships as a Legal Brand and Regulatory Intern at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and a SALT JD Intern at PwC have provided him with invaluable experience. Lorenzo’s involvement in the Latinx Law Student Association, Tax Law Student Association, and Sports Law Society shows his dedication to leadership and building connections within the legal community. After graduation, he will be working as a SALT JD Associate at PwC, continuing his professional journey.

Growing up, Lorenzo experienced significant injustice in his community and family, which motivated him to pursue a legal career. Through LEAP, he learned critical skills, such as how to ask the right questions, and was able to connect with attorneys who are where he aspires to be. "LEAP was pivotal in preparing me for law school," he shared. "I felt like I had a good idea of what to expect before I even got there." Lorenzo has also faced personal challenges, such as dealing with imposter syndrome and the pressures of law school, but he has persevered, earning the Outstanding Advocate Award for best oral argument in Legal Research and Writing. He hopes to use his law degree to give back to his community, committing to extensive pro bono work, and looks forward to mentoring future LEAP fellows.

Layah Mosley graduated from Southwestern Law School and has always been drawn to the law. This was first sparked by a mock trial program in high school. Her desire to pursue a legal career solidified through experiences that allowed her to witness firsthand the power of law in helping others. Layah’s internships with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) as a Law Clerk and Certified Law Clerk II have given her critical experience in housing law, a field she is passionate about. “My biggest accomplishment in law school has been the opportunity to help and serve people from my own community,” Layah said, reflecting on the most rewarding aspect of her journey.

LEAP has played an instrumental role in her development, not only by helping her build a strong network but by fostering a sense of community that reinforced the value of connections in the legal field. “LEAP taught me the importance of both networking and community,” she explained. As a first-generation law student, Layah is committed to using her law degree to advocate for affordable housing and increase access to legal resources for underserved communities in Los Angeles. Her experience with LEAP has inspired her to give back by returning as a mentor to future fellows, offering guidance on networking and navigating law school. “Their support has been transformative,” Layah shared, “and I’d love to contribute by helping students build their networks and supporting them through challenges, just as I was supported.”

Going to law school always seemed an unattainable dream for Julie. She never saw people who looked like her in mainstream media. Her educational experience has been a series of firsts. She is the first in her family to go away to college and graduate. She will be the first to go to law school, and become an attorney.

Julie's motivation to make social change comes from her parents and the sacrifices they made for her. They taught her the importance of a strong will and work ethic. They came to this country to make a better life for their family and Julie intends on paying it forward through her advocacy as an attorney. Julie graduated from Southwestern Law School in the spring of 2025.

Confidence, Presence, and Transformative Growth

Kaleinani “Nani” Nallira, currently working at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York after graduating from Berkeley Law, credits LEAP with providing the confidence and support she needed to achieve her dreams. As she reflects on her journey, she shares, “If you asked me 5 years ago if I was confident, I probably would have said yes, but I would have been bluffing. If you ask me now, I would proudly say yes and share everything LEAP has taught me. LEAP taught me that I belong in this profession and gave me the confidence to pursue my dream career.” LEAP not only helped her develop the technical skills needed for law school applications, but it also helped her build the critical soft skills that have enabled her to thrive in both law school and big law.

Beyond developing her professional skills, LEAP helped Nani recognize the value of her unique presence as a woman of color in the legal field. She explains, “It is my presence that helps contribute to diversifying the legal profession every single day.” From her time at Berkeley Law to her current role in big law, she has learned that her very existence in spaces where she’s often the only woman or woman of color makes a profound impact. She now recognizes that her presence, as much as her voice, helps challenge norms and contribute to changing the face of law. “I used to think it was my voice that would contribute to diversifying the legal profession the most. I pursued law to be a voice for the voiceless. However, after working in the field, I’ve realized that just being in these spaces—whether it’s in meetings or working on cases—makes a difference in itself,” she reflects.

Kaleinani is deeply committed to giving back to LEAP and staying connected with the community. She hopes to mentor future fellows, share her experiences, and continue supporting LEAP’s mission of diversifying the legal profession. She emphasizes, “LEAP is a family, and donors help our family grow and thrive year after year. I want to stay involved and help others who are on the same path I once was.”

A Journey of Resilience, Empowerment, and Giving Back

Christian Parham, a graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, has worked tirelessly to balance her law degree with a Master’s in Dispute Resolution and two certificates in Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Technology, and Entertainment, Media, and Technology. This ambitious undertaking has been challenging but ultimately rewarding, positioning her for success in the legal field. Christian has interned at Pharmavite, worked as a Clinic Extern at the Pepperdine Law Community Justice Clinic, and interned as a Legal Intern at HubSpot. Her leadership extends to several extracurriculars, including her roles as Diversity Chair for the Student Bar Association, President of the Christian Legal Society, and Administration Chair for the Dispute Resolution Society.

Through LEAP, Christian gained critical support and insight that transformed her perspective on the legal profession. “One piece of knowledge that stuck with me is constantly hearing how worthy I am of this career,” she shared. “Before law school, I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that, but law school is hard and makes you question yourself. This reminder has been critical for me and I know it will continue to be as I study for the bar and enter the profession.” LEAP’s support also opened her eyes to in-house counsel roles, a path she’s now pursuing, and helped alleviate the financial burden of bar preparation. Christian's vision extends beyond law practice; she aims to advocate for her community, engage in pro bono work, and teach at the community college level. “Black women make up 2% of the legal profession. I’m so excited to change that number!” she says. She hopes to continue her LEAP connection by mentoring future fellows, helping with career development, and even contributing to LEAP’s board.

Andy Le graduated from UC. Davis, and his infectious personality became an integral part of the 2021 cohort.

"As a future attorney, my ability to consult, represent, and understand how to appropriately meet a client’s legal and human needs is crucial. I desire to become an attorney because I possess the drive and commitment to demand and create change in our legal system so that disenfranchised and marginalized populations are afforded with legal and quality representation. This educational and career path is arduous and requires resilience, dedication, and passion, which I possess. From my personal, academic, and career experiences, I am certain that I can meet, pass, and excel at the tasks ahead and become an exceptional attorney. As an attorney with a social worker background, I will be able to understand and elaborate upon the human condition and behaviors with critical and analytical skills coupled with personal and professional experiences. With my strong interpersonal and problem solving skills, I am prepared to become a contributing member in the legal field and one-day give back, share my experiences as a mentor, and guide future individuals who aspire to become attorneys."

Julia "Jewels" Sarabia is a graduate of UCLA and graduated from Rutgers Law School in 2025.

"I have been shaped by the backdrop of a world that says no and grown to break out of it."

Jewels went to go to law school for three reasons: (1) she discovered her strength in communication and rhetoric; (2) she wants to be an example that defies the odds; she grew up living in poverty and has made it her goal to show that it is possible to break the cycle, and show that her income does not define her outcome; and (3) she has a need to be an advocate for those who do not have access to information, spaces or the ability to advocate for themselves. She feels it's her moral obligation to use the strengths she has to work for others.

Empowering the Underserved and Building Connections

Leslie Estrada-Flynn, a LEAP alum from Golden Gate University, has gained invaluable experience through internships with the East Bay Community Law Center, Alameda County Public Defender’s Office, and Stebner Gertler & Guadagni. She also contributed to the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Her journey to law school was supported by LEAP, which provided her with both the practical guidance to apply and the confidence to pursue a legal career. "LEAP was foundational in my pursuit of a legal career," Leslie shared. "It gave me the confidence I needed to begin this fruitful endeavor and provided a practical program to help me apply to law school."

LEAP’s emphasis on networking and finding your community was particularly impactful for Leslie. She learned the value of connecting with others who share similar experiences. "Networking is key! Lean into your uniqueness and/or interests and find others like you in the field – these are the folks who will have your back," she said. Leslie’s own diverse background and experiences allow her to connect with clients in meaningful ways, fostering trust and understanding. Now, as a post-bar associate at a boutique law firm in San Francisco, she’s committed to giving back to LEAP by mentoring future fellows and connecting them to opportunities within the Bay Area legal community.

Championing Justice for Low-Income Communities

Jannet Gomez, a recent grad from Stanford University and soon to be associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson, has always been driven by a deep desire to improve access to justice in low-income communities. Growing up in Compton, Jannet witnessed firsthand the barriers her community faced in accessing legal aid, fueling her passion to ensure everyone, regardless of their financial status, has the opportunity to be heard and protected under the law. Through internships like her Judicial Externship for Honorable Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha and her summer associate position at MTO, Jannet has gained invaluable experience in the legal field while remaining committed to her mission of justice.

LEAP played a transformative role in Jannet’s journey, particularly by teaching her the importance of community in the legal profession. “LEAP showed me that the law is not just about individual achievement but about mentorship and sowing the seeds of justice,” Jannet reflects. As a first-generation law student, Jannet has been an active participant in a number of extracurricular activities, including serving as a mentor for LEAP and supporting various pro bono initiatives. Moving forward, Jannet is determined to give back to LEAP. "I plan to honor my LEAP mentors by applying the advice and guidance they taught me and passing that knowledge down to new incoming fellows," she says. Her goal is to continue empowering marginalized students in the legal field by donating to LEAP once she graduates.

Lifting as I Climb

I was drawn to law because of its power—to protect, to advocate, and to create change. Through LEAP, I’ve learned that relationships are the heartbeat of this profession. Mentors, peers, and community have shaped my journey and given me the confidence to take up space in a field that hasn’t always felt welcoming.

My proudest moments have come from applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world challenges—helping people, solving problems, and bridging the gap between theory and practice. I’ve also learned the value of resilience, staying true to myself, and lifting others as I advance.

I hope to be the kind of resource I once needed, helping future fellows find their community, build confidence, and navigate every step of their journey.
LEAP is cultivating diverse, passionate lawyers who are ready to make the legal profession more inclusive and accessible. With the right support, we can all succeed—and I’m committed to paying forward the guidance and opportunities I’ve received to future LEAP fellows.