Sabrina Ruiz Monroy, Intern

On August 15th, UCLI had the privilege of participating in a remarkable event hosted by One Refugee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students from refugee backgrounds across Utah and Idaho. This conference, held at the O.C. Tanner headquarters in Salt Lake City, brought together over 300 inspiring young scholars pursuing their education across 18 campuses. The event allowed these students to connect with professionals, gain valuable insights, and explore potential career paths.

The day started with workshops and informational sessions for volunteers. Attendees were presented with impressive statistics on the students’ graduation rates, employment success, scholarships awarded, and the overall impact of One Refugee’s efforts. The highlight of the event was the networking session, during which multiple members of UCLI’s staff (Executive Director Kaitlyn Pieper and UCLI Intern Sabrina Ruiz Monroy) and UCLI’s Leadership Council (attorney Mary Anne Davies and S. J. Quinney College of Law Director of Admissions Isabel Moreno), engaged with students eager to learn about legal careers and the law school application process. Many of these students expressed an interest in pursuing law and helping others, and the UCLI team was thrilled to offer guidance and share their own experiences within the legal field.

The impact of these conversations was not only informative but also inspiring, as students articulated their ambitions and dreams of making a difference in their communities here as well as in their communities in their home countries. The conference served as a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship, career development, and community connection in helping students from all backgrounds thrive in their academic and professional journeys. UCLI is grateful for the many impactful organizations making a difference for students in the state.

UCLI Leadership Council members Isabel Moreno and Mary Anne Davies speak to prospective students interested in the study of law

UCLI Summer Intern Sabrina Ruiz-Monroy networks with students

On July 13th, our fifth UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship hosted a very informative session on Financial Aid and Debt Planning for Law School. The session, which the UCLI Pre-Law Fellows attended, was presented by Justin Zieman, a Student Advocate and Accredited Financial Counselor® with extensive experience in student financial wellness and student affairs, from AccessLex Institute. AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit organization with $800 million in net assets and partnerships with nearly 200 ABA-approved law schools, is devoted to improving legal education. Their AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence focuses on increasing access for underrepresented groups, making law school more affordable, and solidifying the value of legal education. 

During the session, Justin covered a wide range of financial topics. He explained the ins and outs of the financial aid system, including how to apply for scholarships, when to apply for them, and how to navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). His practical tips and strategies prepare Fellows to better make informed financial decisions, ensuring they are well-prepared to manage the costs associated with their legal education and even beyond that.

Additionally, on July 18th, UCLI held a virtual Q&A session with Paula Gluzman, a consultant and the director of Diversity & Inclusion at Spivey Consulting Group. During this interactive event, our Fellows had the opportunity to ask Paula questions about the general navigation of law school, best practices in writing essays, the meaning of fit, and finding what works best for them. Paula’s expertise and advice provided invaluable guidance, helping our students understand the nuances of the law school application process and how to present themselves effectively.

These virtual events have been incredibly valuable and enlightening for our students. We recognize and appreciate the dedication and commitment our students have shown in participating in these events. We want to sincerely thank Justin Zieman and Paula Gluzman for their time and expertise. Their contributions have significantly impacted our Fellows, providing them with the tools they need to pursue their legal education confidently.

These workshops and the Pre-Law Fellowship are made possible through the generous support of our program sponsors: Kirton McConkie, the University of Utah Office of General Counsel, LSAC DEI Pipeline, Utah Bar Foundation, and the Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section. We are deeply grateful for their continued support, which is so crucial to helping us provide these learning opportunities to our pre-law fellows. Their contributions have a significant impact on the success of our program.

UCLI is excited to kick off a back-to-school drive to support and empower students from underserved backgrounds. We are partnering with the Boys and Girls Club to provide school supplies for K-12 students across Utah. The schools involved range from Provo, Orem, and North Utah County to South Utah County, Beaver County, Iron County, Wasatch County, and Washington County; see the complete list of schools affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club here.

Students at these schools are in need of backpacks, basic school supplies, and hygiene items. All donations will be organized by UCLI volunteers and dropped off to the Boys and Girls Club, who will distribute the items to elementary, middle, and high school students in need. We are accepting donations until August 9th. 

To donate, you may either:

• Purchase your item directly from the Amazon UCLI Back-to-School Drive link; your item will be shipped directly to UCLI
• Donate to UCLI using this link; we will ensure that the funds received go directly towards the highest-priority items

Your generous donations will make a significant impact by ensuring that students start the school year with the necessary tools to succeed. Your support is not just a donation but a powerful tool that can change the trajectory of a student’s academic journey. Providing these supplies helps to level the playing field, giving every student a fair chance to excel academically, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Thank you for supporting this drive and contributing to a culture of empathy, collaboration, and respect. You are playing a crucial role in fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported, which is essential for their personal and academic growth and essential to creating an equitable society. We hope the recipients of this drive can thrive academically and join other UCLI pipeline initiatives down the road – maybe even joining Utah’s legal community someday! 

Thank you for your commitment to making a difference in the lives of Utah’s students. If you have any questions or issues, please reach out to .

In our joint endeavor to foster equity and inclusion, UCLI and Mountain Mediation have been collaborating. The impact of Mountain Mediation’s distinctive approach, which focuses on community cohesion across Summit and Wasatch counties, is truly remarkable. Their diverse strategy, encompassing mediation services, landlord-tenant programs, communications training, and Community Conversations, has significantly bolstered the stability and harmony of our community. Notably, MMC’s comprehensive eviction diversion program is a testament to their unwavering commitment to ensuring the local workforce remains housed, further highlighting its unique approach.

Mountain Mediation’s outreach strategy is comprehensive, involving partnerships with over 15 community centers and collaborations with organizations like the Christian Center of Park City’s mobile food pantries. These partnerships deliver crucial education and resources in the parking lots of local apartment complexes, aiming to educate tenants and prevent conflict when possible.

Recognizing the powerful role of effective communication in creating healthy communities and trusting relationships, Mountain Mediation offers tailored communication training. This training is designed to address and improve both organizational and personal communication needs, demonstrating the tangible impact of their programs.

UCLI is proud to support MMC’s internship program for the third year in a row through a monetary donation, which directly benefits interns like Lance Rothchild, and supports the rising generation of students with an interest in the law. We also want to express our deep appreciation for Gretchen Lee, a pivotal contact who not only facilitates our collaboration but also plays a significant role in the success of our partnership. Her dedication and hard work are truly instrumental, and we are deeply grateful for them! Additionally, volunteers form the cornerstone of MMC’s outreach efforts, contributing their time and skills.

As we continue our partnership with Mountain Mediation, UCLI not only celebrates our shared commitment to empowering individuals, fostering understanding, and building resilient communities but also renews our dedication to this noble cause. Together, we can make a difference! Check out Mountain Mediation Center’s website here.

Mountain Mediation’s Outreach Coordinator Valeria Jimenez shares information and tenant resources at a Park City Mobile food pantry event. These outreach events occur throughout the summer and across Summit & Wasatch Counties.

Valeria and Mountain Mediation volunteer & attorney, Shannon, presented the basics about lease agreements at a Tenant Education Workshop in partnership with US Bank.

Expert Guidance and Mentorship for Law School Applications

Our fourth UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship Workshop, held on Saturday, June 1st, was a unique experience! We were hosted by the Disability Law Center in the And Justice for All building in downtown Salt Lake City, providing an excellent venue and lunch for everyone in attendance. Special recognition goes to Mary Anne Davies, the Supervising Attorney at the Disability Law Center, for coordinating the event and taking time out of her weekend to join us.

We kicked off with a fun get-to-know-you activity, followed by a special guest, Paula Gluzman, a consultant and the director of Diversity & Inclusion at Spivey Consulting Group. The workshop delved into the intricacies of diversity and personal statements for law school applications, offering our Fellows a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain detailed guidance on these crucial components. The diversity statement, a key element of the law school application, has often been misunderstood. However, its significance was amplified in June 2023 when the U.S. Supreme Court issued decisions that altered race-conscious admissions policies. This prompted law schools to reevaluate how they address diversity in their applications, making our workshop’s focus on this topic particularly timely and relevant. As a result, diversity statements now vary widely from school to school. Thus, we are incredibly grateful to Paula for clarifying this evolving process and guiding each of our Fellows through the challenging task of writing these essential parts of their law school applications.

After receiving personalized feedback, the Fellows worked with mentors to apply their learning to their writing. Our mentors included Briggs Matheson from the US Attorney’s Office, Juliana Yee from Munger, Tolles & Olson, Zachary Scott Roemer from Kirkland & Ellis, Justin Ly from  Keller Preece, and Melinda Bowen from Spencer Fane. We are deeply grateful to the attorneys who generously volunteered their time to join our workshop last week, demonstrating their commitment to improving our community. The Fellows’ monthly seminars, held at different venues each time, offer a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of legal professionals and environments. If your firm is interested in hosting Fellowship meetings in the future, we would be thrilled to hear from you!

We extend our immense thanks to Paula Gluzman and the attorneys for their contributions to the 2024 Pre-Law Fellows. We also sincerely appreciate the support from our program sponsors, Kirton McConkie, the University of Utah Office of General Counsel, LSAC DEI Pipeline, Utah Bar Foundation, and the Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section, for making this event possible.