News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is pleased to welcome Yvette Donosso to its Fiduciary Board. Yvette has been practicing law for 25 years, specializing in family law and criminal defense. She has practiced in both state and federal courts in Utah, creating a deep connection to Utah’s Legal System.

Currently, Yvette serves on the Board of Trustees for Salt Lake Community College and remains actively engaged with organizations including the Utah State Bar and the Utah Minority Bar Association. Through this work, she continues to support diverse voices in the legal field, and help create pathways for broader participation and success.

​​Throughout her career, Yvette has been recognized for her leadership and impact, including receiving the Raymond Uno Award for Advancement of Minorities in the Law. Her work reflects a deep belief in building a legal community where opportunity is accessible to all.

Reflecting on joining the UCLI Board, Yvette shared: “As a Latina and first-generation college graduate, throughout my entire career I have strived to promote inclusion and fairness in the legal profession. Now more than ever, these goals are pivotal to under-represented communities in Utah. I have been a fan of UCLI from its inception and am honored to join its cause.”

We are honored to welcome Yvette to the UCLI Board and look forward to her contributions in strengthening a legal profession that is inclusive, representative, and supportive for everyone.

Yvette Donosso, UCLI Fiduciary Board Member

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is proud to welcome Sylvia Grace Acosta to the UCLI Fiduciary Board. Grace is a highly accomplished litigator with over 25 years of experience, having served in Nebraska’s Supreme Court and Utah’s Court of Appeals. We are honored to have such a dedicated attorney who has already been an advocate for UCLI’s vision in all her work. 

Grace’s contributions to the community are born of a commitment that has been cultivated by her upbringing. Her family’s dedication to public service has helped shape who she is today. “I come from a family that’s dedicated to public service. My parents were very philanthropic. It’s literally in my blood to just give of myself. Extending my time, knowledge, and treasure to UCLI fits perfectly in who I am as a person and as a lawyer.”

Grace’s impressive accomplishments include being licensed in four states, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English at Auburn University, and later her J.D. at the University of Nebraska. Her skills as a litigator are commendable, and match her commitment to inclusion and educational opportunities in the legal profession. 

Grace has a notable legal career and an outstanding track record of involvement in her community, both of which will add great value to the UCLI  Fiduciary Board. As a daughter of Uruguayan immigrant parents, she brings an understanding perspective for our mission to keep expanding opportunities in the legal field for all communities. She shares: “[UCLI is] open to all kinds of people, no matter where they come from. It’s dedicated to educating others to accept people who are different from them. And that really fits into exactly who I am… It resonates with me very strongly as something that I want to do.”

Grace’s vision of who we are and can become as a legal community will propel forward the UCLI mission and contribute to the many successes that we hope to continue providing for students in the years to come. She stated: “I’m excited to interact with other people who are dedicated to making our profession better. I’m also really committed to helping the next generation along.” We are confident that Grace’s many accomplishments and leadership will aid us in that journey. On behalf of everyone at the UCLI team, we extend a warm welcome and gratitude to Grace and await the wonderful contributions she will bring.

Grace Acosta, UCLI Fiduciary Board Member

On Thursday, March 5th, the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion, in partnership with All Rise Utah, hosted a mindful law event at the Salt Mine Productive Workspace in Sandy, Utah. The event brought together legal professionals and law students participating in the Utah Law Student Mentoring program and judicial mentoring program, and focused on topics such as mental health and well-being in the workplace. Additionally, guests were able to practice contributing to a more sustainable culture within the legal profession.

The evening began with guests checking in and immediately engaging in interactive icebreaker activities designed to encourage conversation. Judicial officers and students were able to become connected while participating in activities like ‘get-to-know-you’ bingo, where they moved around the room meeting others to complete prompts and learn about each other’s experiences. This created a natural way for guests to come together, share insights, and build greater community in a warm, welcoming atmosphere before the program began.

Judge Dianna Gibson, head of the All Rise Utah kicked off the event by sharing a few personal remarks and formally introducing the guest speakers. Representatives from All Rise Utah and UCLI were also present and warmly thanked the speakers, sponsors, and attendees for joining the conversation around mental health and sustainability in the legal profession.

Attendees then had the privilege of hearing from two guest speakers: Justice Paige Petersen of the Utah Supreme Court and Dr. Abigail Scoma, BYU Law Health and Wellness Counselor. Both of their speeches centered on mental health in law school, the culture of the legal profession, and the importance of redefining success in ways that prioritize personal well-being.

Justice Petersen began by sharing reflections from her career and discussing the importance of resilience and balance while preparing for a legal career. She spoke about the necessity of finding passion projects within the law in order to establish true commitment to their craft, and shared how that dedication will inspire true excellence in the field. She concluded by encouraging guests to prioritize well-being and happiness within their careers. 

Following Justice Petersen’s remarks, Abigail Scoma continued the conversation by discussing practical strategies for maintaining mental health while navigating law school and legal careers. Her presentation, Wellbeing: Awareness, Acceptance, and Action also touched on self-regulating practices she currently shares with the law students she counsels. Her remarks encouraged judicial officers and law students alike to think critically about how they define success and to consider approaches that allow for sustainability and personal fulfillment within the profession. She concluded by reminding the audience to envision themselves living the best sustainable careers possible. 

Following the keynote speakers, guests were encouraged to ask thoughtful questions to Justice Peterson and Dr. Scoma. Participants started conversations around navigating the challenges of a legal education, maintaining professional boundaries, and overcoming roadblocks to personal wellness. This began a myriad of discussions as different guests weighed in on the topics addressed. 

The evening concluded with informal networking as attendees continued conversations with professionals and other guests. Many law students and pre-law students were able to connect with peers and mentors in the legal community because of this amazing event! 

UCLI and All Rise Utah are grateful to everyone who joined the event and contributed to this evening centered around mental health and wellness within the legal profession. We would like to sincerely express our gratitude to Justice Peterson and Dr. Scoma for their time and talents as they shared their valuable experiences with us. Events like these contribute to the success and prosperity experienced by all those who participate in the Utah legal community while encouraging thoughtful dialogue about how the legal field can continue to evolve in supportive and sustainable ways. Finally, we would also like to thank and recognize the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. It is through their valuable support and sponsorship that the Utah Law Student Mentoring program is possible. Events like these are also possible because of their continued support. 

Participants gather at the conclusion of the 2026 UCLI Spring Social.

Following Dr. Scoma’s remarks, guests were encouraged to ask questions and continue the conversation of wellness in legal practice.

Attendees network with each other following the closing remarks of the guest speakers.

On March 13th, UCLI was proud to host the third Pre-Law Fellowship seminar for the 2026 cohort! In this session, the Fellows were invited to join the many wonderful attorneys at the Parr Brown Gee and Loveless firm for the day. We are grateful to Parr Brown Gee and Loveless for providing us with the space and resources to support our Fellows. 

The seminar started with an informative panel of attorneys: Jascha Clark, Aerin Christensen, Dick Baldwin, and Drake Walker. The Fellows engaged in a thoughtful conversation as the panel shared their experiences at firms and law school. We appreciate the help that these attorneys gave, as they provided a valuable example of how well a firm could work together. As shared by Jascha, “I was looking for a team where I felt supported – a real partner, someone who cared about me as a person.” We value this perspective on the importance of team inclusion in a firm, especially from the successful attorneys who joined us. 

Fellows got to ask pressing questions regarding the transition from undergraduate institutions to law school. Each attorney shared their experience based on location, cost, and experience. They shared the importance of networking and what kind of attitude it takes to succeed. As Drake said, “It was interesting to see that when you just have to be humble, and nice, and a kind person—that will open doors for you.”

Fellows engaged in a panel discussion including (from left to right) Aerin Christensen, Drake Walker, Dick J. Baldwin, and Jascha Clark.

Fellows were later paired with volunteer mentors who operate in the legal field (i.e, attorneys, law students). Their mentorship started strong as each Fellow was introduced one-on-one to learn more about their mentor’s profession. We are excited to see how the Fellows create a strong connection with their mentors to help them navigate their legal professional path.

Kricia Tauiliili, an Associate at Kirton McConkie meeting one of the UCLI Ambassadors, Gnaesso Tako.

To conclude the seminar, Spivey Consulting Group gave a virtual presentation to the Fellowship cohort. Paula Gluzman and Sir Williams from Spivey provided an in-depth overview about the application process, navigating LSAC, and tips on resume and letters for recommendations. We are grateful for Spivey Consulting’s guidance and expertise they consistently provide for the 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship cohort.

We would like to thank all in attendance for coming together to support our 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship Cohort. Thank you to all of the panelists for speaking, the mentors that came to meet their mentees, and especially extend our gratitude to Parr Brown Gee & Loveless for allowing UCLI to host this seminar in their office.

On Tuesday February 10th, the Utah Legal Center of Inclusion (UCLI) was excited to host an LGBTQIA+ student networking event at Canyon Peak Events Center. The event was centered around attorneys, law students, and pre-law students with the hope of showing them the strength of community in the state of Utah.

The event began with the guests socializing with one another, giving law students and pre-law students the chance to network with other individuals in the legal field. Our main hope for this event was not only to demonstrate the strength of the community, but also to showcase many of the different and inspiring stories of LGBTQIA+ and allied attorneys. The conversation was accompanied by dinner as more students and guests joined.

At the event, we were honored to hear from esteemed guest speaker Professor Daniel Aaron, Associate Professor of Law at S.J Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. He opened his talk with “I was told I was supposed to make this ‘inspiring’,” as he did while sharing his experience as an out and proud gay attorney. His speech detailed the importance of representation. He touched on the many ways that the media has shaped the way that LGBTQIA+ community is viewed and how many, younger and older, have felt seen. He shared the importance of having representation in the legal field as many attorneys, like him, can often feel isolated or limited due to their orientation. Professor Aaron shared his hope that slowly but surely the legal profession will build that representation, and that others will be able to relate to and continue their own journey to the law. 

Following Professor Aaron’s talk, the conversation opened up to our other guests; they engaged thoughtfully on political issues and discussed ideas for ensuring that everyone in the community can feel included in our state. This met our goal of community engagement, and we were glad attendees felt comfortable enough to network and engage with the community.

Towards the end of the networking section of the event, pre-law and law students were asked to shift to various tables giving them a great opportunity to network with new attorneys as well as learn about their peers that they hadn’t had the chance to meet before. This was the perfect transition to the raffle, where everyone participated in a game of chance to win three incredible prizes to finish up the night.

We honor all those who joined us to have a conversation about the LGBTQIA+ law community in Utah. We especially want to thank Professor Daniel for taking time and effort to share his wonderful talk with us. We also express gratitude to the B.W. Bastian Foundation for providing a generous grant that allows us to devote time and energy to these community events.

Networking activity including attorneys, pre-law, and law students.

Attendees of the event including UCLI staff, attorneys, pre-law students, and law students.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is proud to announce the legal employers that participated in and completed all requirements for the 2025 Certification Program. Through the Certification Program, legal employers statewide participate in a program that gives them resources to create their office culture effectively and deliberately. The program provides a five-requirement certification process for legal employers that allows them to set goals regarding their workplace strategies and practices, support meaningful causes in the broader community that help improve mentorship and retention, and evaluate their current performance through an annual survey. Additionally, the program provides training on relevant topics for legal employers for CLE credit. In all, we offer this program in order to commit to the mission of greater access and opportunity in the Utah legal field. 

Last year, 62 legal employers participated in the program, 17 completed all five requirements for certification. Many other employers completed some but not all of the goals. As an organization, we are grateful for the dedication and commitment expressed by all the legal employers who participate in the program.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion would like to congratulate the following firms for completing the 2025 UCLI Certification Program. Your efforts have never been more important or meaningful.

2025 UCLI Certified Organizations: 

Fabian VanCott

Greenberg Traurig

Holland & Hart

Intermountain Health

Keller Preece

Kirton McConkie

Kunzler Bean & Adamson

Maschoff Brennan 

Michael Best & Friedrich 

Parr Brown Gee & Loveless

Parsons Behle & Latimer 

Ray Quinney & Nebeker 

SF Firm

Spencer Fane

Strong & Hanni 

Utah Association for Justice

Workman Nydegger

On January 17, the Utah Center of Inclusion hosted the first seminar for the Pre-Law Fellowship cohort of 2026! The UCLI team was incredibly excited to welcome the new Fellows and walked them through the many resources available to them as part of the program, while facilitating opportunities for everyone to get to know each other. The seminar was hosted in the Utah Law and Justice Center. 

Fellows were introduced to program offerings, such as access to the incredible resource of the Spivey Consulting Group, a consulting firm made up of former law school admission officers, meant to help mentor our fellows. Also as a benefit of the program, Fellows will receive access to an attorney mentor to help them along their law school application journey. Fellows are also eligible to receive travel subsidies and reimbursement of LSAT-related expenses, in addition to fully complimentary LSAT study resources. 

The Fellows received an insightful introduction to the LSAT exam by the founder of LSAT Rise – and UCLI’s 2026 LSAT partner for the program – Laura Baragona Damone. Fellows were walked through the LSAT Lab tools, where they learned about the many options to ensure their success in the program and help them in their LSAT journey. LSAT Lab offers Fellows not only the opportunity to track their progress through diagnostics, official LSAT questions, and drills but also provides them with live online classes and tutoring. We hope this packed resource will be used and navigated by the Fellows, helping them reach their desired LSAT score.

Fellows also had the opportunity to hear from Brent Dunn, founder of the LSAT study prep program ACE Test Prep. In his presentation on the importance of the LSAT he shared the many benefits that come from studying, such as scholarships for law school, and emphasized the time needed to truly dedicate to it. He shared the value of the LSAT and how preparing for it is a crucial part to help carry students on their law school journey. As he stated, “you’re going to need to take time to build up the stamina. It isn’t a test that you build up for in a week or in a month.” He also shared his belief in the Fellows: “I’m really a big believer in this program, and I’m a big believer in the need for you to be in the law.”

Towards the end of his presentation, Fellows had the opportunity to share their questions and concerns about the exam, getting first-hand advice from the instructors in their introductory seminar. The group got the chance to learn about the many ways that they should approach the LSAT in the initial stage of their test preparation. It’s through these questions of accuracy, time management, and additional material that helped fellows get a broader perspective of how they can approach the LSAT – gaining strong study habits.

To round off the seminar, Fellows had a surprise visit from some attorneys next door who had been participating in a mediation training. Thanks to the initiative of UCLI Founding Board member Nate Alder, eight attorneys joined the end of the event to offer personal stories of overcoming hardships to join the legal profession and encouragement to the Fellows. It was the perfect ending to a great seminar.

The UCLI team is excited to see the growth of the 2026 Pre-Law Fellows throughout the year and to celebrate their achievements. UCLI offers a warm thank you to Laura Baragona Damone and Brent Dunn again for their valuable presentations, and thanks the Utah State Bar for allowing the use of the Utah Law and Justice Center. It is only with the help of many partners and participants that UCLI is able to provide the Pre-Law Fellowship program. We gratefully acknowledge the 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship Sponsors and Sustaining Sponsors below.

2026 Pre-Law Fellowship Sponsors:

B.W. Bastian Foundation

Florence J. Gillmor Foundation

Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation

Sustaining Sponsors:

Holland & Hart

Intermountain Health

Kirton McConkie

Magleby Cataxinos

Maschoff Brennan

Parsons Behle & Latimer

Snell & Wilmer

Spencer Fane

Utah Bar Foundation

Workman Nydegger

The 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship cohort

We are thrilled to introduce Taha Benabdallah as the 2026 Utah Legal Inclusion Fellow. 

Taha Benabdallah is a first-year law student at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Now in its fifth year, this partnership between Intermountain Health, Kirton McConkie, and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) continues to create opportunities for aspiring legal professionals. 

The Fellowship this year offers one law student a coveted position in Kirton McConkie’s summer associate program. Fellows also gain invaluable exposure by working closely with Intermountain’s in-house legal team, providing a firsthand look at how law and healthcare coincide. This program is a crucial part of UCLI’s mission to empower law students in Utah by creating meaningful professional connections and advancing fairness in the legal community. We were beyond impressed by the caliber of applicants this year and are honored to select Taha as the 2026 Inclusion Fellow. His impressive achievements, lived experiences, and dedication stood out among a competitive pool of candidates. Learn more about Taha and his journey below. 

Taha was born and raised in Salt Lake City to immigrant parents from Tunisia and Brazil. Inspired by his parents’ journey and sacrifices, he is pursuing a legal career to advocate for his community.

Taha is a first-generation student who received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Middle East Studies from the University of Utah. During his undergraduate years, he was actively involved in student leadership and community-based work supporting immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities. Following graduation, he continued working across community, nonprofit, and higher education settings. Through this work, he developed a strong interest in how organizations, systems, and the law intersect. He continues to be active in his community and currently serves as a member of the Belonging and Access Advisory Board at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Taha Benabdallah, 2026 Legal Inclusion Fellow

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is proud to announce the recipients of the Winter 2026 UCLI Legal Leaders LSAT Scholarship. This scholarship supports aspiring law students by providing access to high quality LSAT preparation, guidance, and a strong community as they prepare for the exam. While the scholarship does not cover LSAT exam fees, it is designed to ensure recipients are equipped with the tools and confidence needed to succeed as they prepare for the exam.

The Winter 2026 recipients include Cynthia Mellin, Keti Safonova, Marvin Ocean Saintelus, Sehrash Khan, and Sofia Low, representing university students and aspiring law students from across Utah who are preparing for the LSAT in 2026. UCLI extends sincere thanks to ACE Test Prep for their continued partnership and to the Wilson Sonsini Foundation for their generous support of this program. We congratulate these scholarship recipients and look forward to their future impact in Utah’s legal community.

Read more about the LSAT Scholarship recipients below:

Cynthia Mellin

Cynthia Mellin holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Utah and is deeply committed to advancing inclusion for marginalized populations across Utah. She is especially focused on ensuring these voices are represented in conversations that shape the future of youth and education. Cynthia is currently established at the Park City Education Foundation as the Operations Manager, where she supports organizational operations and contributes to mission-driven work focused on educational access and community impact. As a first-generation college graduate, her academic training and professional experiences reflect her growing commitment to pursuing a legal education and a career focused on dismantling systemic barriers. She previously served as President of the Utah Criminology Student Association at Salt Lake Community College, where she led initiatives and spoke publicly on social justice issues. Conversational in Spanish, Cynthia brings a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and continues to build leadership experience grounded in advocacy, public service, and equity as she prepares for law school.

Keti Safonova

Keti is a first-generation college student at Weber State University majoring in Criminal Justice. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Georgia. Keti currently works as a Judicial Assistant at the Matheson Courthouse and has seen firsthand how underrepresented communities are affected by the legal system everyday. These experiences have motivated her to attend law school and advocate for those underrepresented communities. She is particularly interested in eviction law.

Marvin Ocean Saintelus

Marvin Ocean Saintelus is a prospective law student with a strong background in public service, legal research, and community leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Utah and has completed upper-division coursework in judicial process, legal research, case briefing, and memorandum drafting. Marvin previously served as a congressional intern in the U.S. Senate, gaining first-hand exposure to legislative processes and public policy.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Marvin is a licensed real estate agent and an experienced professional in case management, compliance, and data-driven decision-making. He is fluent in multiple languages, including French and Spanish, and brings a multicultural perspective shaped by years of community engagement and nonprofit involvement in Utah. Through the UCLI LSAT Scholarship Program, Marvin seeks to strengthen his LSAT preparation and advance his goal of attending law school to pursue a career dedicated to justice and public service.

Sehrash Khan

Sehrash is a higher education professional and aspiring law student with a strong interest in advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Toxicology, and has five years of experience in academic advising, where she has supported students from diverse backgrounds and navigated complex institutional systems.

These experiences, combined with her late father’s legal work in advocating for immigrants and refugees, have inspired her to pursue Law. Sehrash hopes to create systemic impact and support first-generation immigrants and refugees through the complex processes of the legal system. Using her language skills, medical and educational background and dedication to pursuing education, Sehrash  plans to earn a Juris Doctor degree and build a career grounded in service, fairness, and ethical advocacy.

Sofia Low

Sofia Low is a Senior studying Criminal Justice and Sociology at Utah State University. She recently completed her term as President of the Alpha Chi Omega Beta Xi Chapter, where she led initiatives centered on leadership, service, and advocacy. Sofia has long been passionate about social justice and pursuing law as a means to support others through legal advocacy. Her commitment to law was further solidified during a study abroad experience focused on wrongful convictions, where she learned from legal advocates. Sofia is excited to continue her journey toward law school and is grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from the UCLI LSAT Scholarship Program.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is grateful to be a first-time recipient of a generous grant from the Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL Foundation). Like UCLI, the ACTL Foundation is dedicated to the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession. The ACTL Foundation supports initiatives that strengthen the legal profession by advancing advocacy excellence, ethical practice, and the administration of justice through education and outreach.

This first-time award will support a new, one-time initiative within UCLI’s educational outreach program, Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere (PLEDGE). PLEDGE provides free resources and opportunities for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds at the K-12, undergraduate, and law school levels, reaching around 500 individuals across Utah each year. The grant will fund the creation of a statewide outreach video, “See Yourself As A Lawyer,” aimed at middle- and high-school students in public schools throughout Utah, along with a podcast focused on pre-law resources and pathways to law school for high school and undergraduate students. Together, these tools will help demystify the legal profession and provide practical guidance for students interested in pursuing a legal career.

UCLI is honored to be selected as a grant recipient in 2025 and is deeply grateful to the Foundation of the American College of Trial Lawyers for their partnership. Through their support, more young people in Utah and across the nation will be able to see a future for themselves in the law. As students of all backgrounds attend law school and become legal professionals, the legal profession will become more robust and better capable of administering justice.