Mirabella Keogh, Intern

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) extends heartfelt gratitude to James (Jamie) Sorenson for his outstanding leadership as a UCLI Fiduciary Board Member and member of the Founding Board of Directors for the organization. During his tenure on the UCLI Board, Jamie also served as the Co-Chair of the Organizational Inclusion Committee. Jamie has been instrumental in advancing UCLI’s mission to diversify Utah’s legal profession and foster greater inclusion. Reflecting on his service, Jamie shared, “UCLI has been so important to me because I love its core belief in the fundamental dignity and equality of all people. The work to diversify the Utah legal profession to reflect our community opens doors for groups who have been underrepresented, and I have loved being a part of that effort.”

Jamie is one of Utah’s distinguished and engaged legal professionals. He joined Ray Quinney & Nebeker upon graduation from The George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C. While in law school, Mr. Sorenson interned with the United States Department of Justice, Tax Division. Jamie is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights and Litigation sections. His practice is concentrated in creditor’s rights and commercial and bankruptcy litigation. Jamie also has experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in actions involving preference, fraudulent transfer, and avoidance actions. Jamie currently serves as President of the University of Utah’s Alumni Board of Governors and as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.  He has previously served as President of the Asian Utah Chamber of Commerce, as the President of the Utah Minority Bar Association, Chair of the Bankruptcy Section of the Utah State Bar, and as an ex officio member of the Utah State Bar Commission. Jamie has been recognized in Mountain States Super Lawyers (2016-2018, 2023-2024) in the category of Bankruptcy: Business and as a Rising Star. He has been voted by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite,” as published in Utah Business Magazine (2013-2015, 2018-2023).

Jamie’s thoughtful leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on UCLI. As we bid him farewell, we extend our deepest thanks for his service and wish him continued success in all his endeavors.

James Sorenson, Shareholder at Ray Quinney & Nebeker

Jamie, top left, with the UCLI Founding Board of Directors in October 2016

Jamie presenting at the first annual UCLI Fundraiser Luncheon, March 2022

Growing up between Miami, Guatemala, and the United States, Sabrina Ruiz-Monroy—UCLI’s new Associate Director—understands firsthand the transformative power of mentorship. Having experienced both the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the impact of a caring teacher who supported her progress in English, Sabrina’s journey reveals how mentorship can redefine a young person’s trajectory.

At just nine years old, she moved to the United States, struggling with an accent and adapting to a new environment. A teacher who recognized her potential not only helped her improve her English but also introduced her to the local Boys and Girls Club. That early mentorship became a cornerstone of Sabrina’s passion for creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.

This passion ultimately led her to an internship with UCLI. Reflecting on her time as an intern, Sabrina describes that it was UCLI’s unique approach that drew her in. Unlike other organizations, UCLI creates a comprehensive mentorship pipeline that spans all levels—from elementary schools to law students and attorneys. “I had experienced the power of being lifted by my community, and I wanted to make that accessible to others,” she explains.

As an intern, Sabrina eagerly took on the challenge of designing and implementing projects that embodied UCLI’s mission of equity and inclusion. Inspired by her own childhood experiences, she forged a partnership between UCLI and local schools, specifically serving economically disadvantaged students. “I was so grateful that I was part of an organization that welcomed my ideas,” she says. “I presented my ideas for the project and UCLI made it a reality!” Sabrina worked on publicity, contacted contributors, gathered materials, and organized UCLI’s first-ever school drive. This initiative not only provided resources for students in need but also deepened her understanding of inclusion. 

“Inclusion means caring for the community as a whole while never losing sight of the individual,” she reflects. For Sabrina, the experience underscored the importance of ensuring every voice and perspective is valued—especially in fields like law, where understanding a client’s unique background is essential to providing accurate representation.

Now stepping into her new role as Associate Director, Sabrina is determined to further UCLI’s mission of creating a more inclusive legal sphere in Utah. She envisions inclusion as a mosaic: “For me, inclusion is the belief that differences are pieces that create a whole,” she says. “Inclusion is the promise that there is room for every story, every voice, every unique strength, and every dream. But inclusion isn’t just making room—it’s extending the invitation,” she emphasizes.

Sabrina’s journey, marked by resilience and a deep commitment to equity, is a reminder that, as she says, “inclusion is seeing others not as strangers, but as common humanity.” UCLI is thrilled to welcome Sabrina to the team and can’t wait to see the incredible impact she will make in advancing UCLI’s mission of equity and inclusion.

On Friday, November 8th, UCLI held its annual Pre-Law Symposium, drawing around 100 students from across the state to Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection. The symposium aimed to provide students with valuable insights into beginning a legal career, including navigating the application process, preparing for the LSAT, accessing funding opportunities, and hearing from practicing attorneys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BYU Law for hosting this impactful event and to the many attorneys, professionals, and volunteers who made it an exceptional learning experience for aspiring legal professionals.

The day began with a delicious kolache breakfast and numerous networking opportunities, with representatives from the University of Utah’s S. J. Quinney College of Law, AccessLex, the Utah State Bar, and ACE Test Prep. Barbara Melendez, Director of Belonging at BYU Law, then opened the symposium with powerful remarks about the legal profession. “Law is more than a career; it’s a privilege,” she counseled the students. She emphasized the pressing need for diverse perspectives in the legal field, inspiring attendees to see their unique backgrounds as strengths.

A panel discussion on preparing for law school followed, led by Dean Anthony Grover, Dean of Admissions at BYU Law, and Director Isabel Moreno, Director of Admissions at the University of Utah Law. The admissions leaders offered practical advice and encouragement, with Director Moreno reminding students, “There’s a law school for everyone!”

The symposium also featured insights from five attorneys from diverse backgrounds, including Wayne Latu of Quinn Emmanuel, Jiro Johnson of Salt Lake Legal Defenders, Lisa Bohman of BYU Legal Counsel, and Grace Acosta of Trujillo Acosta Law. The panel shared candid advice about the realities of practicing law. Grace Acosta provided a memorable moment, quipping, “You come over to my house, you’ll think—that’s a nice house, that’s a nice car—but you need to know what it costs!”

The keynote address by Michalyn Steele, the Marion G. Romney Professor of Law at BYU, left a lasting impression on attendees. Drawing from her experiences as a Native American woman overcoming barriers in the legal profession, she encouraged students to persevere. “Other people will underestimate you,” she urged. “Don’t you be the one to clip your own wings. You have the audacity to hope—dare to dream.”

Throughout the day, students attended sessions tailored to their needs. Workshops included a lecture on financial resources for law school by Justin Zieman of AccessLex and an LSAT preparation session by Brent Dunn of ACE Test Prep. Students also participated in a mock law class taught by Professor Kif Augustine-Adams, gaining a taste of the law school experience. The day concluded with a panel of current law students from BYU and the University of Utah, who provided a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of law school life.

This year’s symposium set a new record for student registration and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. One student shared, “As a DACA recipient, I felt heard and hopeful about law school. I was unaware of the resources available for someone like me. I wish others knew about this.” Another noted, “I walked into the symposium today doubting my ability to pursue law school. However, after hearing the inspiring and motivational words from everyone, I feel that I can do my dream of law school.” A third attendee remarked, “[The symposium was] life-changing. It inspired me and also made me want to go to law school even more.”

This event’s success was made possible by the collective efforts of our community. We thank the dedicated speakers, attorneys, law students, and professionals who shared their time and wisdom, as well as each member of the planning committee. To the students who attended, thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and aspirations—we are honored to support your journeys and can’t wait to see the incredible impact you will make in the legal field. Finally, a warm thank you to this year’s sponsors who made this event possible: 

Access Lex

Anderson & Karrenberg

Intellectual Property Section of the Utah State Bar

Maschoff Brennan

SF Firm

Stowell Crayk Ogden

Utah State Bar

On Tuesday, October 29th, UCLI and Women of the World hosted their last legal workshop of the year. For the past four weeks, these workshops have welcomed migrant and refugee women community members and provided legal education on topics ranging from divorce and custody to workers’ rights. These workshops have been specially designed to address the critical legal challenges many displaced women face. UCLI is immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with Women of the World on these inspiring and insightful sessions.

The final workshop in the series was especially unique as it was hosted entirely in Spanish. The workshop’s topic was immigration and featured Geidy Achecar, a talented immigration attorney and dedicated supporter of UCLI’s mission. Ms. Achecar currently runs her own practice while simultaneously serving on UCLI’s Fiduciary Board and providing programmatic support to pre-law programming. Ms. Achecar herself is an immigrant, raised in a Spanish-speaking home in New York City. Growing up in this environment has instilled in her a deeply empathetic understanding of the struggles her clients face. Outside her law practice, she is involved in the Latino community in impactful ways, including serving as Co-executive Director of the Utah County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and as a legal fellow for Senator Luz Robles of the Utah State Senate.

During the workshop, Ms. Achecar covered several important topics, including the dangers of notarios (individuals who falsely claim they can provide immigration support without legal training), the parole-in-place policy, as well as assuaging fears about anticipated changes to the immigration process following the election.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone involved in the workshops this year: to Ms. Achecar for her excellent presentation, to the South Salt Lake Promise Co-Op for providing a welcoming meeting space, to the many restaurants that generously provided meals, to the dedicated attorneys who shared their expertise, and especially to Women of the World for their invaluable partnership. Together, we have created a space of empowerment and support for the community we serve.

Geidy presenting information at the workshop

The workshop attendees getting ready for the presentation

Comunidades Unidas also had a presence at this event and shared resources with attendees

UCLI’s seventh Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship Workshop was held at the distinguished BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School on Saturday, September 14th. The Pre-Law Fellows gathered in a spacious classroom designed to resemble a courtroom, complete with a witness stand, jury bench, and elegant woodwork. This unique learning environment was just one of the many distinctive features of the J. Reuben Clark Law School that Anthony Grover, Dean of Admissions, introduced to the Fellows. Dean Grover generously offered a tour of the law school early on a Saturday morning, despite living quite a distance away in Bountiful.

During the tour, the Fellows gained insight into the life of a BYU law student as they explored the law library, visited classrooms, and admired the personalized study carrels—another special aspect of BYU Law. Dean Grover also highlighted the numerous opportunities available to students, including international study programs and 1L academies designed to give students hands-on experience in different areas of law.

After the informative tour, Brent Dunn delivered a presentation on effective strategies for preparing for the LSAT, round two. As the founder of ACE LSAT Preparation, Brent Dunn has been an invaluable resource to the Fellows as they navigate their LSAT preparation. His guidance and support are greatly appreciated by UCLI, as they help ensure the Fellows are fully equipped for this critical step in their law school journey.

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion featuring four current BYU Law students, who shared their personal experiences about the realities of law school. The students discussed how they discovered their passion for law, offered advice on writing personal statements, provided tips for managing the rigorous coursework, and shared humorous anecdotes about their time at BYU Law. Their stories were both inspiring and heartwarming, and we look forward to seeing how the Fellows will channel their enthusiasm and compassion as future law students.

We extend our sincere thanks to the J. Reuben Clark Law School for hosting the 2024 Pre-Law Fellows, with special gratitude to Dean Grover. We also deeply appreciate Brent Dunn for his ongoing dedication to helping each Fellow achieve their desired LSAT score. Lastly, we are grateful to Kirton McConkie, the University of Utah Office of General Counsel, LSAC DEI Pipeline, the Utah Bar Foundation, and the Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section for making this event possible.

Dean Tony Grover answers Fellows’ questions about BYU Law

Pre-Law Fellows join a tour of the BYU Law building

Brent Dunn, owner of ACE Test Prep, talks about best practices for retaking the LSAT