UCLI would like to congratulate and welcome our Durham Fellows for the 2024-2025 school year, Aliza Murad from the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law and Madelyn Poston from the Brigham Young University Law School. The fellowship is named in honor of Justice Christine Durham, former Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, current attorney at Wilson Sonsini, and UCLI Co-chair. This fellowship is intended to help facilitate the legal education of law students who show a demonstrated commitment to furthering the cause of justice, equity, and inclusiveness in Utah’s legal profession. Someone, who, like Justice Durham, will make the legal profession in Utah better for future generations.
The Durham Fellowship is awarded to two law students who serve for the duration of a given school year. One student is chosen from each of the two law schools in Utah. It includes a stipend which may be used toward tuition, housing, and other living expenses. Fellows partner with UCLI staff and committees to facilitate and improve law school programs and scholarships. We had a great group of applicants again this year which is a reflection of the quality of law schools we are lucky to have here in Utah.
We thank the many firms, organizations, and individuals who donate to Utah to make the Durham Fellowship, and other UCLI programs possible.
Please read more about Aliza and Madelyn below:
Aliza Murad, 2L, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
Aliza Murad is an incoming 2L at S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, and currently a summer associate at Ballard Spahr LLP. As a Pakistani American immigrant who came to the U.S. at age 10, Aliza’s experiences have profoundly shaped her commitment to service, inclusion, and community engagement. At S.J. Quinney, Aliza is actively involved in the Minority Law Caucus, the Student Litigation Society, and the Social Justice Initiative. She is honored to be elected Vice President of both the Minority Law Caucus and the Federal Bar Association. This Fall, she will also intern for Judge Kimball at the Utah Federal District Court. Through these experiences and the Durham Fellowship Aliza plans to build a future career in civil rights and social justice law. She also plans to mentor and support future law students from diverse backgrounds, helping to pave the way for a more inclusive legal profession.
Aliza Murad
Madelyn Poston, 2L, Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
Madelyn is a law student at BYU Law going into her second year this fall. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design with minors in Spanish and Environmental Sustainability from the University of Utah. She was born and raised in Utah with proud Guatemalan and Mexican American heritage. Fluent in Spanish and English, Madelyn constantly aims to blend her cultural roots with her professional endeavors. She is committed to advancing the needs of her community through dedicated advocacy and impactful legal work. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys being outside, reading novels that have nothing to do with the law, and doodling.
Madelyn Poston
