News

The All Rise Utah Program held an opening banquet on Tuesday, February 15, 2024 at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The event was well attended by almost 30 Utah judges from all levels of judiciary, including all five of the justices from the Utah Supreme Court, as well as dozens of law students from both Utah law schools. They were joined by practicing attorneys from supporting firms and organizations. 

The event was a chance for students to hear from Chief Justice Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court, and then to network with judges and attorneys. Chief Justice Durrant reiterated the Utah State Courts’ commitment to rooting out bias among judges, and the great need to attract well qualified judges who reflect the increasingly diverse demographics of the State of Utah. 

The All Rise Utah program is an ongoing collaborative effort directed by the Utah State Courts, to build a pipeline of students and attorneys who will one day seek judicial appointments in Utah. The program helps law students and attorneys begin to see themselves as future judges. It will also provide mentorship opportunities at both the law school and attorney level to help individuals prepare for and apply for judicial openings. All Rise Utah is led by Judge Diana Gibson of the Utah Third District Court, and Jon Puente, Director of the Utah State Court’s Office of Fairness and Accountability. Supporting organizations include: the Utah State Bar, Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA), LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU), Women Lawyers of Utah (WLU), The Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar (YLD), The Disability Law Center (DLC), and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI). 

We look forward to continuing to help plan and support events for both law students and attorneys for All Rise Utah. If you have questions or would like to be involved in the program please contact Jonathan Puente, the Director of the Utah State Court’s Office of Fairness and Accountability, . 

A group of law students pose with Judge Sanchez of the Utah Third District Court.

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship is launching this March. The first cohort will include ten students or recent graduates from Utah who are seriously interested in the study of law. The Fellowship includes an enrichment series of ten seminars on topics related to law school, the legal field, and law school application; access to a designated attorney mentor and law student mentor; a fully paid LSAT course; and reimbursement of any related expenses, such as law school applications, LSAT test fees, and travel to attend the seminars. The first seminar of the enrichment series will be held in March 2024; they will then be held on a monthly basis through December 2024. 

The ultimate intent of the Pre-Law Fellowship is to increase the number of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in Utah’s legal profession. The Fellowship is designed to provide a pathway for people to practice law in the state of Utah. It is aimed at facilitating opportunities for undergraduate students or recent college graduates who seriously plan to pursue legal education and who have a long-term goal of practicing law in the state of Utah. Pre-Law Fellows are expected to participate in the monthly seminars in-person or remotely, participate in the free LSAT preparation course offered through the Fellowship, apply to law school by the end of 2025, take the LSAT examination at least once by December 2024, and participate in intake and exit surveys. 

We warmly welcome the ten participants in the first ever cohort of this program! You may read more about each Fellow and their impressive accomplishments below.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors who are making this program possible:

Kirton McConkie, Champion Sponsor

LSAC DEI Pipeline

Utah Bar Foundation

University of Utah Office of General Counsel, Supporting Sponsor

Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section of the Utah State Bar

Camden Alexander

Camden Alexander will graduate from the University of Utah in the Class of 2024 with two Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminology. She has experience in environmental research, journalism and social activism, and hopes to utilize her skills as an effective lawyer. She plans to attend a law school in the Northeast, but will return to the roots she has established here in Salt Lake City. Upon graduating from law school, Camden intends to serve as a public defender before eventually becoming a prosecutor for the state of Utah.

Camden Alexander

Tala Alnasser

Tala is an Arab-Muslim student at BYU from Jordan and Palestine. She is a Public Relations and French double major and is minoring in sociology. Tala is deeply committed to bridge building and fostering belonging in her community. She has moved more than six different times, and speaks Arabic, English, and French fluently. In her free time, she reads, writes, hosts cook nights and plays chess. She has played for Jordan’s Olympic Chess Team and plays with chess hustlers every time she travels. Tala is a huge advocate for interfaith and cross cultural experiences and deeply believes in the power of proximity as a medium for social progress.

Tala Alnasser

Aranza Castillo

Aranza Castillo is a proud first generation immigrant from Mexico. She graduated from the University of Utah in Business Management in 2021. As she navigated the higher education system she started learning about the different systems of oppression and noticed how they manifested in our communities. Through her personal experiences of seeing how systematic barriers have impacted underrepresented communities, it helped develop her passion for social justice. Aranza has always looked for roles that allow her to empower, educate, and support her community. While in school she was involved in various programs aimed at supporting first generation students. Aranza is excited and grateful to be part of the fellowship, and to be able to get closer to her goal of becoming an attorney.

Aranza Castillo

Iradukunda Esperance

Iradukunda Esperance is a remarkable fourth-year student at the University of Utah, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Gender Studies. Originally from Kigoma, Tanzania, Iradukunda migrated to the United States at a young age and has since been dedicated to her academic pursuits.

With a deep passion for the legal field, Iradukunda is committed to exploring the intersections of law, politics, and gender. Her diverse background and experiences have fueled her desire to advocate for justice and equality in society. She hopes to make a meaningful impact in the legal profession in the future.

Iradukunda Esperance

Sophie Gordon

Sophie Kay Gordon is a Utah native and recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature, and minors in Global Women’s Studies and Asian Studies. Passionate about LGBTQ+ visibility and progress, Sophie served as a Committee Chair with BYU USGA, planning activities and leading efforts to advocate for queer students. Since graduating, Sophie has worked as a legal assistant in the litigation section at Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar. In her free time, Sophie enjoys writing, collecting western-inspired trinkets, putting together a good outfit, and traveling with family and friends. Sophie looks forward to being involved with UCLI and applying to law school this fall.

Sophie Gordon

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala, or Noa for short, is currently in his fourth year of pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at Brigham Young University. Having lived everywhere from Tonga to Utah to Texas, he has had the opportunity to meet and work with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Noa plans to be the first attorney in his family and one of the first Polynesian patent attorneys in the nation. Whenever he is not learning about mechatronics or calculus, he loves spending time with his family, finding a fun new restaurant with his wife, or volunteering at youth football camps.

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala

Audrey Pozernick

Audrey Pozernick is a Philosophy and Honors Political Science major at the University of Utah. Audrey is a One Refugee scholar alumni and cares about advancing racial justice and access. She aims to attend law school to explore her interests in healthcare policy, law, and ethics.

Audrey Pozernick

Victoria Roberts

Victoria is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Utah Valley University, she has also been trying to gain practical legal experience through working as a paralegal for the past two years. As a first generation college student, she has had to navigate completing her education while balancing real-world work. In addition to her studies and paralegal role, she volunteers time as a translator for immigration attorneys. Through this work, she has been able to support immigrants and develop language skills. She also works as a research assistant with the Center for Constitutional Studies at UVU. As a political science major, she is deeply interested in policy, law, and social change. She has high hopes to apply her education and experiences to a career in law after graduation. She is a proud first generation college student and looks forward to all the opportunities ahead as she completes her degree. She is extremely grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to taking full advantage of this fellowship.

Victoria Roberts

Ruby Vejar

As a first Generation student Senator at Weber State University, Ruby has reached many lives through art and service. Ruby is involved in almost any club you can think of because she likes to stay busy. She works at Center for Community Engaged Learning, serves as a college mentor, became a USHEAN board member specializing in accessibility and poverty issues, is an Newman Fellow for Utah and was asked to serve on the UServeUtah college Council. Additionally, she is a 7 for 17 award winner and has had the honor of being a panelist in many symposiums around Utah.

Ruby Vejar

Bubba Walker

Bubba Walker is studying Experience Design and Non-Profit Management at Brigham Young University. He is a member of the BYU Men’s Lacrosse team and enjoys volunteering with local, youth lacrosse programs. Bubba looks forward to attending law school in Fall 2025.

Bubba Walker

*This project received funding from the Law School Admission Council, Inc. (LSAC).  The opinions and conclusions contained in this document are the opinions and conclusions of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of LSAC.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) has many ambitious goals and important programs, but without community support from volunteers, legal professionals, and incredible donors and foundations we couldn’t make any of it a reality.

UCLI is proud to be a first-time award recipient of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. Founded in 2007, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation aims to continue the philanthropic spirit exemplified by Larry and Gail Miller for future generations. The Miller Family Foundation supports programs that enrich lives and communities in the areas of health and medicine, shelter and food security, education and skill development, jobs and economic self-reliance, and cultural and spiritual enrichment. UCLI and the Miller Family Foundation share a common vision for a state where all individuals have access to educational opportunities, regardless of their background, and UCLI was honored to be one of the recipients of their grant awards in December 2023.

 Like the Miller Family Foundation, UCLI is dedicated to facilitating educational advancement for Utahns from all walks of life. Thanks to this grant, UCLI will be able to continue its PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). In 2024, these funds will allow us to work with K-12, undergraduate, and law students – mentoring, encouraging, and providing meaningful fellowships and scholarships. We are excited to continue this important work and are grateful for the donors who make it possible. Thank you, Miller Family Foundation, for the meaningful contributions you make in the community and for your generous support of UCLI’s mission.

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Legal Inclusion Fellows, Gloria Aquino, a first-year law student from the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, and Naomi Botchway, a first-year law student at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. This year marks the third year of this wonderful collaboration between Intermountain Health, Kirton McConkie and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI).

The Fellowship provides a place in Kirton McConkie’s summer associate program for two law students, one for each Utah law school. Fellows receive a tuition award furnished by Intermountain Health. They have the opportunity throughout the summer to observe and learn from Intermountain’s legal department. The Fellowship plays a significant role in UCLI’s efforts to increase opportunities for law students in Utah to thrive and find meaningful connections within the legal community.

This year we saw a large and impressive field of applicants. After careful consideration, Gloria and Naomi were selected as Fellows. Learn more about these two incredible students here:

Gloria Aquino

Gloria is a native Utahn from Salt Lake County and the proud daughter of two Mexican immigrants. She is a first-generation college student and earned her degree in Health, Society, and Policy from the University of Utah in 2022. During her undergraduate years she developed a love for public service and completed an internship with the Hinckley Institute at the Utah Legislature. As a 1L at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, she has continued to be involved in her community. She is serving as a 1L representative for the Minority Law Caucus and has been selected to serve on the S.J. Quinney inaugural Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Board. Gloria hopes to use her law degree to serve as an advocate for underrepresented communities and aspires to one day sit on the bench.

Gloria Aquino

Naomi Botchway

Naomi Botchway is currently a first-year student at BYU Law School. Originally born in Salt Lake City and raised in Rose Park, she has deep connections to other parts of the world. Her father is from Ghana and her mother is from Tonga. Growing up as the child of immigrants, Naomi was inspired by her family’s remarkable journey to the United States and the sacrifices they made for her to be in the position she is in today. Naomi has chosen the path of law to be a voice and advocate for her community in the legal field. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from BYU in August 2022. During her undergraduate years, she actively contributed as a member of the presidency for the Women of Color Club and served as a Research Assistant, researching gender gaps in different political systems. Post-graduation, Naomi was a compliance analyst for Goldman Sachs. In this role, she not only honed her skills as a professional but also developed a passion for comprehending the intricate intersection between corporations and the legal landscape.

Naomi Botchway

The opening social of the 2023-2024 Utah Law Student Mentoring program was hosted by Holland & Hart in their downtown Salt Lake City offices on January 25, 2024. The event provided a chance for mentors and mentees to meet as well as to mingle and meet other program participants. We would like to thank everyone who came from near and far to be at the event. We would also like to thank Holland & Hart for hosting the event, and for their continued support of the ULSM program.

The ULSM program is an expansion of the mentoring program originally started as a collaboration between the Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA) and Holland & Hart. The program would pair each UMBA annual scholarship winner with an attorney mentor from Holland & Hart. In 2020, Holland & Hart allowed UCLI to take over and expand the program. UMBA scholarship winners are still automatically entered into the program. They are joined by any other law students who register to be part of the program. Mentors are recruited from the wider membership of the Utah State Bar. As much as possible, and when requested, mentees are paired with mentors based on several preferences including area of law interests. 

This is the fourth cohort under UCLI’s stewardship. Please contact UCLI Associate Director, Jon Wayas () if you are interested in joining the program for the 2024-2025 school year. 

We are delighted to announce that UCLI’s executive director, Kaitlyn Pieper, has been selected by the Utah State Bar Commission to receive the 2023 Community Member of the Year Award! The Community Member of the Year Award is “Awarded to a non-lawyer member of the community who demonstrates outstanding service toward the creation of a better public understanding of the legal profession and the administration of justice, the judiciary or the legislative process.” A distinguished list of community members have received the Award may be viewed here.

Kaitlyn’s nominator, Cliff Parkinson is the UCLI Community Outreach Co-Chair and said in part, “Kaitlyn spends her days introducing underrepresented populations to the Bar and explains how the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is trying to close the gap between what the Bar looks like and what the population of Utah looks like.” Kaitlyn expresses her gratitude to the UCLI board for the opportunity to work so closely with incredible members of the legal profession, as well as members of the community at large, on matters of importance to all Utahns. Kaitlyn also thanks the Utah State Bar for this honor and for the many ways they support and empower UCLI and its mission. 

The award was presented to Kaitlyn on November 17 at the 2023 Fall Forum at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. 

On Friday, November 10 UCLI had the unique opportunity to host a workshop for a group of esteemed visitors. The workshop was titled “Women Leaders – Promoting Equality in the Justice System; A Regional Project for the Near East and North Africa.” The workshop participants were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The State Department invited UCLI to host a half-day workshop that focused on leadership development for women in the legal profession. Together with the Utah State Bar, who provided a venue and expertise, we welcomed four women from Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia and had a great day together learning from respected members of Utah’s legal community. 

First, workshop participants heard from Michelle Oldroyd, Director of Professional Education and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at the Utah State Bar, who provided an introductory overview of the topic. Her remarks were followed by Session 1: Equality in Utah’s Justice System. Jon Wayas, Associate Director of the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion, moderated a panel discussion with Melinda Bowen, Attorney at Snow Christensen & Martineau; Jennifer Yim, Administrative Director at the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole; and Martha Knudson, Executive Director of Utah State Bar’s Well-Being Committee for the Legal Profession. They discussed challenges and to equality in Utah and spoke about principles for achieving greater parity for women, no matter where in the world we are. Session 2 was on the topic of Equal Access to Education and we heard from Mr John Arthur, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year at Meadowlark Elementary; Barbara Melendez, Director of Diversity Equity and Belonging at Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School; and Isabel Moreno, Director Of Admissions And Financial Aid at University of Utah S. J. Quinney College of Law. Each brought a great perspective about the importance of education as an equalizer and shared ideas of how to engage more girls and women at the K-12 and higher education levels. Finally, we were honored to hear from Justice Paige Petersen, Justice of the Utah Supreme Court for Session 3 on the topic of The Changing Face of Leadership. Justice Petersen spoke about changing laws for women throughout the history of the United States and discussed how the landscape in Utah has been changing in recent decades. A robust and interactive discussion and lunch were then enjoyed by all. 

UCLI expresses its gratitude to the Utah State Bar for allowing us to meet in the Law and Justice Center and for its excellent hospitality. We are also grateful to Utah Global Diplomacy for facilitating this exchange. Finally, thank you to the outstanding participants and presenters – we loved getting to know you and were honored to gather to discuss important topics and learn from one another. 

UCLI Associate Director Jon Wayas was chosen to be a part of the 2023 class of the Utah State Bar Leadership Academy. Each year 12 Utah attorneys are chosen to participate in this program. Generally, participants have been attorneys for 10 years or less. The program is a chance for lawyers to learn leadership skills and build camaraderie with the other members of their cohort.  The program aims to put participants on a path to become leaders in their own firms and organizations, as well as in the wider Utah State Bar and legal community. As part of the program, participants are also required to serve on a bar committee for at least one year. Jon began serving on the Character and Fitness committee in the summer. This committee reviews applications for those seeking to take the Utah State Bar Examination. The program has been a great benefit to Jon in his work with UCLI. 

The Leadership Academy started with a retreat where attorneys participate in workshops and social activities to quickly build trust and a sense of community. The group then met monthly to learn from respected attorneys and experts. These meetings included topics such as bystander training, how to have difficult conversations, and how to better advocate for yourself in your career. The group also had the opportunity to meet with the Utah Supreme Court to gain perspective and advice on career goals and growth. Of the program Jon says, “The program has helped me gain a close group of friends I would not have met otherwise. It has been great to see the reciprocal help we have been able to give each other in our various professional roles. On a personal level, it has been great to have people to turn for support, and to celebrate our personal and professional successes. I am immensely grateful to have been chosen to participate in the program this year. I would encourage everyone to apply in the future.”

Click here to apply for the 2024 year. The application deadline is November 17, 2023.