News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) could not accomplish its mission without the dedication of community members who volunteer their time and expertise, and without the generous donors and foundations who provide vital financial support.

For the fourth consecutive year, UCLI is honored to receive a grant from the B.W. Bastian Foundation. The Foundation works to build community and understanding by supporting both local and national institutions, with a particular focus on the arts and educational outreach. It places a strong emphasis on programs and organizations that advance equality, uphold individual rights, and promote inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. UCLI and the B.W. Bastian Foundation share a common vision of a legal profession that is welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, and UCLI is deeply grateful to be among the Foundation’s 2025 grant recipients.

Like the B.W. Bastian Foundation, UCLI is committed to preserving and enhancing the rights, equality, and fair treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community. Thanks to this grant, UCLI will continue its LGBTQ+ outreach through the PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). Over the past year, these funds have supported networking events for LGBTQ+ law students in Utah and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities for attorneys focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion. In 2026, this grant will enable UCLI to continue hosting networking events for LGBTQ+ law students, expand CLE offerings on related topics, and provide direct support for an LGBTQ+ participant in the 2026 Pre-Law Fellowship program.

We are grateful to continue this important work and extend our heartfelt thanks to the donors who make it possible. Thank you to the B.W. Bastian Foundation for your meaningful contributions to our community and your generous support of UCLI’s mission.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is delighted to recognize Workman Nydegger as an Advocate Sponsor for the UCLI Sustaining Sponsorship. As a UCLI Founding Sponsor at the Diamond level in 2020, this firm has played an important role in shaping UCLI’s vision and reach from its inception and now continues its impact. Workman Nydegger is an intellectual property law firm in Salt Lake City that provides a range of prosecution and litigation services. Many of its founders and partners have a background in STEM, and the organization has attracted many professionals with backgrounds in science and engineering who can also provide services in IP law. Workman Nydegger has established extensive partnerships domestically and internationally, providing services for over 82,000 U.S. patent matters and more than 25,000 trademark applications across over 180 countries worldwide.

Beyond the impressive work it does in the legal sphere, Workman Nydegger is deeply committed to giving back and fostering meaningful change within the community. The firm recognizes that true success extends beyond the courtroom and is reflected in the positive influence it has on individuals, organizations, and the broader community. Through consistent involvement and support, Workman Nydegger upholds the core values of integrity, service, and collaboration. The company has supported many community organizations, some of which include the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Wishing Place, the Utah Bar Association’s “And Justice for All” campaign, Utah Minority Bar Association, Utah Women in Technology, and many others. These partnerships highlight Workman Nydegger’s dedication to strengthening the legal profession, advancing innovation, and creating opportunities for growth and connection across industries.

Dana Tangren, president and managing shareholder of Workman Nydegger, places great importance on remaining aware of the challenges surrounding inclusion within Utah’s legal community. Supporting organizations such as UCLI reflects one of Workman Nydegger’s core values: actively working to make the legal field more welcoming, representative, and inclusive. Dana asserts that contributing to UCLI not only allows the firm to give back but also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the issues of inclusion and making the workplace one where everyone feels valued and respected. On a personal level, he shares UCLI’s core value of recognizing the dignity of all people, and his commitment to this belief has inspired the firm to pursue these goals in their own culture and community efforts. Workman Nydegger strives to ensure that everyone is actively involved and feels valued within Utah’s legal community. Dana hopes that by sponsoring UCLI, their reputation will inspire others to look towards similar goals; he shares his hope that “we take it seriously that people feel that their value and dignity are important.” 

One unique initiative that Workman Nydegger offers is an internship program for undergraduate students who are interested in the legal field and the firm’s mission. This internship, hosted every fall and spring, offers opportunities for attorneys to engage with students from various undergraduate universities through the program, which focuses on mentorship. The firm believes that by fostering these connections with undergraduate students and promoting inclusivity through their internships, attorneys are able to reflect on their own roots and contribute to the development of future legal professionals. Gerrit Winkel, a shareholder at Workman Nydegger, has spearheaded this internship program for the past year and has worked hard to make it an opportunity where students feel supported and valued. He shares that his personal measure of success is when students have a positive experience and speak highly of their involvement. Despite initial challenges in advertising its internship program, Workman Nydegger’s proactive engagement with local universities has yielded impressive results, growing from a single applicant a few years ago to 20 in its most recent application cycle. 

Workman Nydegger’s interns have had a great experience with the program and have stated that they cannot gain the learning experience from this internship anywhere else. One current intern, Francesca Levitas, states “Being a STEM major, [the law is] a field that isn’t really talked about … everything that I’ve learned isn’t something I would traditionally learn in school.” The interns also noted that the onboarding process was very well organized and executed through multiple attorneys who helped them understand what the internship would look like. The mentoring program consists of pairing individuals based on their major to attorneys specialized in the field. Intern Talmage Gibby states that the attitude from the attorneys he works with is  “very much like I’ll catch you when you fall, show you what to do, and move you forward.” Both Workman Nydegger interns are very appreciative of the mentorship opportunities and learning experience gained through the internship. 

This internship initiative goes hand in glove with UCLI’s programming that creates pathways for students of all backgrounds while promoting belonging in the legal community. As Gerrit shares, “the legal field can be a threatening environment and you can feel like you’re competing with everybody… The most important part of having an inclusive workplace is just treating people kindly and making sure they are comfortable.” Gerrit also emphasized that his own faith tradition has guided him to be kind and inclusive toward others. The firm’s values and ongoing commitment to inclusion are evident through the incredible people and programs they cultivate, and UCLI is proud to partner with Workman Nydegger to continue to provide programming that will support students across Utah in their pursuit of the law through the Sustaining Sponsorship.   

Firms interested in becoming Sustaining Sponsors can join UCLI in its mission to promote fairness and opportunity within Utah’s legal community. Sustaining Sponsors play a vital role in supporting programs that provide mentorship, educational opportunities, and outreach to underrepresented individuals in the legal field. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how your firm can get involved, please visit UCLI’s Sustaining Sponsorship webpage or contact us directly at . Your partnership helps create a more inclusive and connected legal profession for future generations.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion’s (UCLI) final seminar for the Pre-Law Fellowship program was held on November 8th at the J. Reuben Clark Law School in Provo, Utah. This marks the official end of the 2025 Pre-Law Fellowship. The Fellowship aims to support people seriously interested in the study of law, and includes an enrichment series of nine seminars on topics related to law school, the legal field, and law school applications, as well as access to attorney mentors and private law school consultation. The final event of this program was a highly anticipated event for the UCLI Pre-Law Fellows, where they could celebrate all their efforts this past year. 

Upon arriving at the law school, students had the opportunity to communicate with each other and actively participate in fun activities through an icebreaker activity where Fellows could write wishes and notes to the other members of their cohort. Next, Professor Dane Thorley led the mock law class focused on civil procedure. Prior to the event, a case had been sent out via email to all of the participants to read to prepare for this experience, and the Fellows were fully immersed in the experience – engaging with the material just as law students would in an actual classroom. The session even included the classic “cold calls,” giving participants a realistic glimpse into the rigor and interactive nature of a law school course.

As the next portion of the program, students attended a comprehensive Law School Review session led by Dean Anthony Grover, who provided valuable insight into the law school application and preparation process. During this session, students learned about key topics such as financing legal education, selecting the law school that best aligns with their personal and professional goals, maintaining a competitive GPA, and effective strategies for studying for the LSAT. This review served primarily as an informational and preparatory discussion, offering students practical advice and guidance to help them plan for their future legal studies.

Following Dean Tony Grover, students had the opportunity to explore the law school with guidance from law students Macy Smith, Noa Leituala, and Keni Reed. The tour highlighted key areas of the building, including the courtroom, the library, and other academic spaces that play an important role in the law school experience.

Afterward, these same students held a law student panel, answering any questions the Fellows had to ask about law school, the 1L year, religious requirements at BYU Law, etc. Following the law students, keynote speaker Shubham Shah spoke about his experiences in law school and his transition from being a law student to an attorney. Shubham shared his experiences from living around the world, which contributed to his understanding of other cultures and people and informed his legal practice. His speech was truly inspiring, particularly for students who may feel underrepresented in the legal field or uncertain about whether they will find belonging in law school.  

The event ended with the graduation ceremony. Each Fellow received their 2025 Pre-Law Fellowship diplomas, then captured individual and group photos to commemorate their achievements. To conclude the event, participants enjoyed light refreshments and took time to celebrate together, offering congratulations for one another’s hard-earned achievements. UCLI extends its sincere gratitude to its friends at BYU Law for hosting the seminar and giving up precious weekend time to address the Fellows, as well as the other speakers whose efforts made this event possible.

UCLI also acknowledges with appreciation the generous support of its 2025 Fellowship Program sponsors: the Litigation Section of the Utah State Bar, the B.W. Bastian Foundation, and the Utah Bar Foundation. Their continued partnership and commitment to advancing access to and inclusion within the legal profession have been instrumental in sustaining and enhancing the impact of the Fellowship.

The UCLI Pre-Law Fellowship program offers an invaluable experience for aspiring law students to deepen their understanding of the LSAT and the law school journey. Fellows receive personalized mentorship and guidance from practicing attorneys, gaining firsthand insight into the legal profession and practical advice on strengthening their law school applications. Although the program requires commitment and dedication, the rewards are well worth the effort. Applications for the 2026 Fellowship Program are now open and will close on November 30, 2025. For those eager to expand their legal knowledge, connect with mentors, and take meaningful steps toward law school, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

UCLI Fellows, Ambassadors, mentors, staff and interns gather together for a final picture at the end of the seminar.

UCLI Fellows Monique Alires, Cesar Plascencia, and James Cardon Leota (From Left to Right) wait for the seminar to commence.

UCLI Fellows write letters for one another during the icebreaker activity.

BYU Law Students Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala, Macy Smith, and Keni Reed (From Left to Right) talk about their experiences during a law student panel.

Keynote Speaker, Shubham Shah, talks to UCLI Fellows about his journey and path in the legal field.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is driven by a mission to expand opportunity, foster belonging, and build a stronger legal community for all. These goals can only be achieved through the generosity and partnership of volunteers, legal professionals, and philanthropic organizations that believe in this shared vision.

UCLI is honored to be a first-time recipient of support from the Henry W. & Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation. Established to advance Henry and Leslie Eskuche’s legacy of generosity, the Foundation seeks to enhance quality of life by supporting initiatives in education, health, human services, and the arts. Its guiding philosophy emphasizes compassion, lifelong learning, and meaningful impact – all values that strongly align with UCLI’s work across Utah’s legal and educational landscapes.

With this grant, UCLI will continue its PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere), which provides mentoring, guidance, and scholarship opportunities to students from elementary school through law school. This support enables UCLI to open doors for Utahns from all backgrounds to pursue legal education and professional success.

UCLI is deeply grateful to the Eskuche Foundation for its investment in education and inclusion, and for its commitment to creating lasting change in the community. Together, we are helping build pathways toward a more inclusive and informed future for Utah’s legal profession.

UCLI is excited to announce that our applications for UCLI’s Winter Internship and Ambassador Program are open and currently accepting applications. Both programs are anticipated to run from January 12, 2026 to April 23, 2026. The two programs are aimed towards undergraduate and recently graduated students in Utah that are interested in pursuing a career in law. 

The requirements and deadlines for both are listed below:

UCLI Pre-Law Internship 

UCLI is seeking dedicated interns who are passionate about making the legal space more inclusive. They will have the opportunity to work on multiple initiatives, they will have the opportunity to specialize in one or more of the following focus areas: Social Media Content Creation and PLEDGE Programming. 

General responsibilities for interns include supporting UCLI staff in their duties, and raising awareness and support for UCLI’s programs and initiatives. More information about the role can be found at this link.

The intern role requires 10 hours per week for the duration of the internship, and includes a stipend of $1,200 upon successful completion. Another exciting opportunity with the internship is that each intern will be completing a UCLI Strategic Initiative Project (SIP). This is a project that allows the intern to lead an independent project that can contribute impact for UCLI. The deadline to apply for the internship is on November 12, 2025 at 11:59. Link to apply is included here.

UCLI Ambassador Program

UCLI’s Ambassador Program is a formal volunteer program for undergraduate students and recent graduates who are passionate about law and creating opportunity. The time commitment for the Ambassador Program is a minimum of 25 hours throughout the semester, with flexible hours for completion. Ambassadors don’t receive financial compensation, but do  receive opportunities for professional development and mentorship, as well as participating in impactful initiatives within Utah’s legal community. To learn more about the role, please click here. The deadline to apply for the ambassador program is December 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Link to apply is here.

Both roles are amazing opportunities for undergraduate and recently graduated students to engage with UCLI’s mission and goals, while furthering their knowledge of the legal field. Depending on your schedule and the time you have available to commit to UCLI, you can select the  program that best fits your needs. Both offer unique opportunities for those interested in law and create space for fairness, opportunity, and inclusion in Utah’s legal profession.

UCLI Ambassadors and Interns helping out with organizing backpacks and school supplies for the Back to School Drive during the summer internship

UCLI Summer Interns (From Left to Right: Marlee Jepsen, Helen Wang, Alofaifo Faleono) stand together for a photo during the Ambassador and Intern Recognition Event

The Utah Law Student Mentoring (ULSM) Program opened its fall season with a lively social on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Canyon Peak Venue Center in Draper. The evening brought together law students from both the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, along with attorney mentors from across Utah.

The event blended connection and fun in a relaxed setting. Students and attorneys played rounds of Jeopardy and Bingo centered on law school trivia, competing for prizes that ranged from JBL speakers and travel backpacks to skincare kits, hammocks, and gift cards. The games helped everyone unwind while sparking conversations that continued well beyond the tables.

Two practicing attorneys, Abby M. Dizon-Maughan and Remington “Jiro” Johnson, offered thoughtful remarks about their experiences in the legal field. Abby, a shareholder with significant experience in complex commercial litigation, shared insights about professional growth and maintaining balance in demanding environments. Jiro reflected on lessons learned from his years in both Washington, D.C. and Utah, emphasizing mental health, authenticity, and finding purpose amid the pressures of practice. Both speakers reminded students that they belong in the profession and encouraged them to build support systems that will sustain them throughout their careers.

After the talks, students and mentors had time to mingle and discuss career paths, practice areas, and personal strategies for success in law school and beyond. Many mentors shared stories about their own journeys and offered practical advice about confidence, work-life balance, and navigating the transition from student to attorney.

The event also encouraged students to begin developing a personalized plan from the ULSM Program Manual to make the most of their mentoring experience. Within the program, mentoring groups rotate every six months to help participants broaden their professional networks and gain a variety of perspectives.

So far, the program has welcomed 81 law students and around 50 attorney mentors representing Utah’s two law schools and 16 firms and organizations. The law student cohort reflects the diversity and talent of Utah’s legal community, with a majority of students identifying across multiple underrepresented backgrounds.

The evening at Canyon Peak served not only as a celebration of mentorship but also as a reminder of the strong community being built among Utah’s future lawyers. UCLI looks forward to continuing this momentum as the next round of the mentoring program begins with the new school year.

Remington “Jiro” Johnson speaks to Law students during the ULSM Social about his experience in law school

Two S.J. Quinney College of Law students chat during the social.

Startup attorney Lawrence Tuttle chats with a law student about building a career at the crossroads of law and innovation. His work helps Utah entrepreneurs launch their businesses with the support of streamlined, high-quality legal services.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is pleased to introduce Helen Wang as its new administrative coordinator. Helen was born and raised in Salt Lake, Utah. She recently graduated from the University of Utah with an Honors in Biochemistry. Helen originally wanted to go to medical school to be a pharmacist, and wasn’t planning on going into law; however, her academic journey led her down an unexpected and inspiring path toward law. In addition to her major, she completed minors in Health, Sociology, and Environmental Sustainability Studies – all of which contributed to her interest in law and in the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI). Through these courses, Helen discovered a passion for nonprofit work and for helping individuals directly through legal channels. This newfound interest motivated her to engage in meaningful nonprofit work at the University of Utah, much of which aligned closely with UCLI’s mission. She says, “Being able to interact with different people and hear from different perspectives made me realize I want to engage within that community.” 

Helen first heard about UCLI as she was preparing to graduate from the University of Utah. While researching pre-law internships online, she came across UCLI’s website and was immediately drawn to its mission and impact. Recognizing it as the perfect opportunity to explore her growing interest in law, she applied for the Summer 2025 internship, and was thrilled to be accepted. Working as an intern helped her learn more about UCLI’s many projects, gain hands-on experiences, connect with many attorneys in various fields, and contributed to work she felt deeply passionate about. Helen states, “The mission of UCLI really aligns with my beliefs and what I would like to do with my law degree and create long term change in the community.” Helen has a strong passion for law and a deep desire to create positive change within her community. Although she is still exploring which area of law she would like to pursue in the future, she hopes that through UCLI’s work and experiences she’s had that she’ll be able to discover her passion within law. She is excited to bring that passion to her new role as UCLI’s Administrative Coordinator and to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission. 

Helen was drawn to this position because of the meaningful experience she had working with UCLI’s staff during her internship. She valued the opportunities she had to contribute to a variety of projects and learned a great deal from the team. Although her time as an intern was limited, she saw tremendous potential in the work she was doing and felt inspired to continue contributing. Deeply aligned with UCLI’s mission, Helen wanted to build on that foundation to help strengthen the organization’s productivity and further measure its impact on the community. Helen states, “I am excited to continue working with UCLI and expanding and creating change and increasing fairness and inclusion within the legal field.” We are excited and grateful to welcome Helen to the team and look forward to the incredible contributions she will bring to UCLI and the broader community! 

Helen Wang, 2025 Administrative Coordinator

On Saturday morning, October 11th, 2025, UCLI hosted its ninth Pre-Law Fellowship Seminar with the Disability Law Center at the James B. Lee Justice Center. The Disability Law Center (DLC) is a private, non-profit organization that strives to “enforce and advance the legal rights, opportunities, and choices of Utahns with disabilities”. The seminar served as the second to last in the seminar series within UCLI’s Pre-Law Fellowship, a program designed to prepare students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing a legal career. 

The seminar first featured a virtual segment with Paula Gluzman, an admissions consultant from Spivey Consulting. This section provided Pre-Law Fellows with valuable insights on the art of crafting a compelling law school application, from creating a cohesive overall narrative, to ensuring grammatical and stylistic consistency throughout the application. Mary Anne Davies, a supervising attorney at the DLC then spoke to fellows about the importance of protecting one’s mental health throughout the rigorous demands of law school and profession in the legal field, sharing her own personal experiences advocating to protect her mental health and wellbeing throughout her career. 

Finally, four practicing attorneys from the Disability Law Center shared their insights and perspectives in the panel: “Life in the Law”. The panelists included Mary Anne Davies; Laura Henrie, the organization’s legal director; Nate Crippes, supervising attorney of Public Affairs; and Sara Williams, an Equal Justice Works Fellow at the DLC. The attorneys shared with the Fellows their triumphs and challenges working in disability rights, advocating tirelessly to protect ideals of equity and justice within the state of Utah. After the panel, Fellows had the opportunity to network and discuss individually with the attorneys present at the event. The Disability Law Center attorneys were eager to answer Fellows’ individual questions, and shared incredibly valuable advice with UCLI Fellows interested in following in their footsteps – students aspiring to serve their communities as future attorneys.

We would like to thank all in attendance for coming together to create a space recognizing legal paths available to those seeking to serve and protect vulnerable people in our communities. Thank you to all of the panelists for speaking at the seminar. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Disability Law Center for allowing UCLI to host our seminar at the James B. Lee Justice Center, and for the generosity of individuals who donated to sponsor lunch. We are grateful to continue our partnership with the Disability Law Center and contribute to the fulfillment of their mission in advancing equity, accessibility, and inclusion for people with disabilities, ultimately working to ensure inclusion and justice for all Utahns.

Attorney panelists answering questions from UCLI Pre-Law Fellows

UCLI is thrilled to announce the start of another year of mentorship with Meadowlark Elementary. On October 6th, students from Mr. John Arthur’s sixth-grade class enjoyed donuts with UCLI staff and attorneys, followed by a quick round of kickball.

As one of the long-standing initiatives of UCLI, the Meadowlark Mentoring Program provides a valuable opportunity for students to engage with attorneys on an individual basis to grow their personal and professional skills. Students are encouraged to build confidence in their goals and develop skills to achieve success academically and beyond. Throughout the mentoring program, attorneys volunteer as mentors to meet with students in short, focused sessions designed to support personal development while strengthening writing and critical thinking skills.

To start off the mentoring program with resounding success, UCLI staff and attorneys shared insights into how they began their own journeys, while students happily enjoyed donuts. One of the highlights was hearing from Jascha Clark, a UCLI Board Member and shareholder at Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, who shared stories from his path before becoming an attorney. Students were also excited to learn more about the work UCLI does in the community, including how a nonprofit operates compared to entrepreneurs, and asked thoughtful questions throughout the event.

After the discussions, a brief but spirited kickball showdown commenced against the sixth graders, earning them a well-deserved five extra minutes of recess for the next day.  Donuts were served, laughter was shared, and even a few social media references made their way into the game. Mr. Arthur, UCLI, and the participating attorneys are sure to continue creating a space where students can dream big and achieve success. With the joy and excitement from the students, both Mr. Arthur, UCLI, and the participating attorneys are sure to create a place where dreams of achieving success are reached. Every individual can create an immeasurable impact for a student in their own way.  

If you have 30 minutes to spare each Friday and are interested in becoming a mentor for a student at Meadowlark Elementary, please email for more information on how to get involved. 

Meadowlark students getting and enjoying donuts.

Jascha Clark (UCLI Board Member and shareholder at Parr Brown Gee & Loveless) talking to Meadowlark students about his journey to becoming a lawyer.

Meadowlark Students walking off the court after a successful kickball showdown.

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is proud to announce the recipients of the Summer 2025 UCLI- ACE Legal Leaders LSAT Scholarship. This scholarship helps level the playing field by equipping students with the tools, guidance, and community they need to succeed. While the scholarship does not cover LSAT exam fees (students may apply separately for LSAC’s fee waiver), it ensures recipients are prepared to face the test with confidence.

This round’s recipients include university students, recent graduates, and other aspiring law students from across Utah who will be preparing for the LSAT in 2025. UCLI extends our deepest gratitude to ACE Test Prep for their continued partnership and to the Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation for generously supporting this year’s program.

We congratulate the Summer 2025 scholarship recipients and look forward to seeing their impact as Utah’s future legal professionals. Learn more about them below:

Ale Benavides

Ale Benavides holds a B.A. in Intercultural Peacebuilding with a minor in Mediation and a B.A. in Anthropology from Brigham Young University–Hawaii. He has extensive international and domestic experience in peacebuilding and advocacy, including teaching workshops in Tonga, serving as an NGO Director in Mytilini, Greece during the Taliban takeover to assist with the refugee crisis, and working as a Case Manager for Catholic Community Services of Utah in Salt Lake City. He has furthered his legal and policy experience through work in the public defense sector as an intern with Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C., as well as with Lear & Lear in Salt Lake City, contributing to both the Oil and Gas and Immigration practice groups. His academic and professional background reflects a strong commitment to cultural fluency, humanitarian service, and the pursuit of a legal career.

Evelin Lagos

Evelin Lagos is originally from Choluteca, Honduras, and is currently a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in Criminal Justice. A proud first-generation college student, Evelin’s personal experiences have shaped her passion for advocacy and her dedication to fairness. Growing up, she witnessed the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented and undocumented communities, which fueled her desire to pursue law. Through her work alongside these communities, she has seen firsthand the barriers they encounter and the silencing of their voices. These experiences strengthened her resolve to advocate for others and to create meaningful change within the legal system. Evelin aspires to use her legal education to empower others, break down barriers, and open doors for the next generation of first-generation students and aspiring attorneys.

Gabriel Zavala

Gabriel Zavala is an English major at Utah Valley University and a fiction author preparing to embark on LSAT studies and the path toward law school. He hopes to attend the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where he can build on his passions for advocacy and amplifying underrepresented voices. Gabriel looks forward to pursuing a legal career dedicated to service and justice.

Vero Martinez

Vero Martinez is a proud first-generation Chicana born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She recently graduated with an Honors Degree in History from the University of Utah and is deeply passionate about community work. Vero currently serves as a Family Advocate at Early Head Start–DDI Vantage and actively organizes in her community, fighting injustices and striving for a better future. Having been exposed at a young age to the incarceration system and systemic inequities, she developed a strong commitment to combating bigotry and discrimination. Inspired by these experiences, Vero aspires to become a defense attorney and works every day to ensure that her community and underrepresented groups are given a fair chance.

Yoselyn Martinez

Yoselyn Martinez was born and raised in Utah and comes from a Mexican immigrant family background. She is a first-generation high school graduate and a recent first-generation college graduate, earning her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University in August 2025. During her time at Weber, Yoselyn gained hands-on experience in the criminal justice field through internships with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Kaysville City Attorney’s Office, and Weber Valley Detention Center. She also continues to volunteer with NOMAS Legal, assisting immigrant clients in the Ogden community. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to pursuing a career in law and advancing justice for underrepresented communities.

Support the LSAT Scholarship

We are happily accepting donations from individuals or firms who would like to make a difference. LSAT Scholarship sponsors enjoy unique benefits, including opportunities to engage with recipients and serve on the selection committee.

If you are a legal employer or individual interested in sponsoring the LSAT Scholarship, please contact .

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our LSAT access partners and sponsors, whose generosity helps create meaningful pathways to legal education for students across Utah:

ACE Test Prep

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation

Associate Director, Sabrina Ruiz-Monroy reads out Scholarship Awards during the 2025 Pre-Law Fellowship Symposium.

Three of the five UCLI–ACE Legal Leaders LSAT Scholarship recipients—Ale Benavides, Gabriel Zavala, and Vero Martinez, were recognized during the 2025 Pre-Law Symposium.