Congratulations to the 2026 UCLI Bar Review Scholarship Recipients

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI), in partnership with the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar and with the support of community sponsors, is proud to congratulate the recipients of the 2026 UCLI Bar Review Scholarship.

This scholarship supports graduating law students preparing for the July 2026 Utah State Bar Exam, helping offset the significant costs associated with bar preparation and registration. Awards ranging from $250 to $1,150 are granted based on financial need, demonstrated community involvement, and each recipient’s potential to make meaningful contributions to Utah’s legal community.

This year’s recipients represent both the S.J. Quinney College of Law and the J. Reuben Clark Law School. Each has shown a strong commitment to serving their communities and advancing the legal profession in Utah. Please read more about this year’s recipients below.

2026 UCLI Bar Review Scholarship Recipients:

Elle Breckenridge

Elle Breckenridge  is a Kansas City native and recent JD recipient from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, having earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. Deeply passionate about food security and environmental sustainability, she began their professional career working with Kanbe’s Markets to expand fresh food access. Building on this dedication to public service, Elle currently serves as the O’Hara Natural Resources Fellow at the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Department of Natural Resources. In this role, she continues to blend her legal education with her passion for protecting natural resources and her community.

Taj Carson

Taj Carson is a first generation lawyer. He was born and raised in eastern North Carolina, where he attended North Carolina State University earning his B.S. in Business Administration. Subsequently, he moved to Utah and completed his J.D. at Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law. Taj plans to serve his community as a government attorney specializing in criminal justice/prosecution.

Abby Forrest

Abby Forrest, a soon-to-be-graduate of the S.J. Quinney College of Law, will be pursuing Utah’s new alternative pathway to licensure. She has found her place in estate planning and probate litigation with Lieberman Siebers & Wood. She helped jumpstart SJQ’s estate planning pro bono clinic and will be serving on the Young Lawyer’s Division committee for Wills for Heroes. As a mother of two law school babies, she also helped found SJQ’s Parents and Caregivers Club. When she’s not at the office or giving horsey rides, she spends her time digging in dirt (gardening). 

Margaret Gibson

Margaret Gibson is a Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she focuses on juvenile justice and international law. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, she began her career as a Title I middle school teacher, teaching seventh grade and supporting students in underserved communities. During law school, Margaret has continued her commitment to service through work in child welfare, education policy, and international human rights. She has contributed to legal research and advocacy addressing issues affecting vulnerable populations and plans to pursue a career in public interest law following her graduation in May 2026.

Ashlynn Hall

Ashlynn Hall is a law student at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she will graduate with her J.D. in Spring 2026. During law school, she served as Executive Articles Editor of the University of Utah Law Review, worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant, and completed a judicial externship with the Utah Supreme Court. Ashlynn has especially enjoyed volunteering with the Pro Bono Initiative and serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. After graduation, she plans to practice civil litigation in Salt Lake City. 

Corben Lamb

Corben Lamb is a first-generation law student at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. He is developing strong research, writing, and problem-solving skills and also speaks Spanish. Outside of school, Corben is a husband and a first-time father to his six-month-old son, enjoying life with his growing family and everything that comes with it. 

Bron Spencer Lore

Bron grew up in Ogden, and attended Weber State with plans of becoming a police officer. Near the end of his undergrad, he changed trajectory and aimed instead at law school. Being the first lawyer from his family this was a big step for him, but thanks to the constant support from the community and his family, he was able to thrive. The experience he treasured most at SJ Quinney was being SBA President, helping students in any way he possibly could. He hopes to pass along this support, and help others find their way where they can thrive similarly. 

Andie Madsen

Andie Madsen recently graduated from the S.J. Quinney College of Law with her Juris Doctorate and plans to sit for the Utah Bar this July. Afterwards, she will clerk for the Utah Supreme Court and then the 10th Circuit. She plans to become an environmental lawyer working to protect the places she cares deeply about. 

Audrey Meyer

Audrey Meyer is a recent graduate from the S.J. Quinney College of Law. During her time at law school, she led the Pro Bono Initiative’s family law clinic and started the estate planning clinic, helping low income community members navigate their divorce, custody, and probate cases. She also served as President of the Women’s Law Caucus her 2L and 3L years. In her spare time, Audrey enjoys hiking with her dog and trying new restaurants in Salt Lake City. 

Emily Pellegrino

Emily Pellegrino, a Pittsburgh native, earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Utah before pursuing her Juris Doctor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. At SJQ, Emily serves as the Executive Social Justice Editor for Utah Law Review and is actively involved in the Women’s Law Caucus, the Public Interest Law Organization, and the Ski and Snowboard Club. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in public interest law with a focus on immigration and civil rights, committed to advocating for underrepresented communities and expanding access to justice for all. Outside of her academic career, Emily enjoys skiing, backpacking, fly fishing, reading, and sewing.

Makena Rauch

Makena Rauch is a 3L at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She is the current Chair of the Federal Bar Association Law Student Division Board and the President of the S.J. Quinney FBA Chapter. Originally from Idaho, she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

Makena is dedicated to fostering an inclusive legal community. She serves as the Past President of Pride Law Caucus and is a former board member of LGBTQ+ and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU). She is also a member of the Federalist Society and previously served as Treasurer of the Minority Law Caucus. Passionate about pro bono work, she seeks opportunities to assist underserved communities and finds purpose in providing meaningful legal support to those in need. Her professional interests center on antitrust law, where she champions fair competition and works to ensure competitive prices for consumers and businesses. She is also engaged in policy work that aims to shape legal frameworks for a balanced and equitable marketplace.

Outside of law school, Makena thrives in the mountains, whether biking, camping, or hiking. A former Division I college golfer, she carries the discipline and strategic thinking from the sport into her legal career and remains committed to leadership, advocacy, and public service so that diverse voices are heard in the legal profession. 

Camden Reese

Camden Reese is a law graduate preparing to sit for the Utah Bar. He is committed to advancing fairness and integrity within the legal system, with a particular interest in government defense work. During his legal studies, Camden developed strong analytical and advocacy skills while engaging in experiences that reflect his dedication to public service. He plans to build a career focused on ethical practice and meaningful impact within the legal profession. Camden is grateful for the support of organizations like UCLI that help reduce barriers for aspiring attorneys and strengthen the future of the legal community. 

Lindsey Richards

Lindsey Richards recently graduated from BYU Law School and is beginning a career in criminal law with a strong interest in prosecution and justice reform. She is passionate about promoting fairness, accountability, and meaningful change within the criminal justice system through public service. During law school, Lindsey developed a commitment to thoughtful legal advocacy and ethical leadership. She looks forward to serving in a clerkship with the Utah Court of Appeals, where she hopes to continue building the legal skills and experience that will support her long-term career in prosecution and public service. 

Adriana Sanchez

Adriana Sanchez is a first-generation college graduate and a rising attorney committed to public service. A native Spanish speaker, she learned English as a second language and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to law school, Adriana worked as a social worker, supporting survivors of domestic violence and underserved communities. She is currently completing her legal studies at the University of Utah, where she has focused on advocacy and community-centered legal work. Adriana is passionate about using the law to expand access to justice and empower vulnerable populations. 

Lois Salas Mora

Born in Mexico and raised in Kentucky, Lois Salas Mora developed was born in Mexico and raised in Kentucky. Thus, she grew up with a strong commitment to serving immigrant communities. She earned her undergraduate degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University and later attended BYU Law School. During law school, she worked with the BYU Community Legal Clinic and served as President of the Immigration Law Society. Lois is passionate about immigration and family law, particularly in supporting the Hispanic community. Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys going on walks and reading. 

Ligia Valencia

Ligia Valencia is a first-generation law graduate from BYU Law. She grew up in Missouri, then moved to Hawaii for her undergraduate degree, and then moved to Utah to pursue a law degree. During her time in Hawaii, she loved getting to know the different cultures and realized the hardships with the law her classmates had to face to attend school. This ignited a desire to learn more about the law in general. During her time at BYU Law, she gained a passion for immigration law, knowing this would help those in her local community. 

Sydney Wilson

Sydney Wilson is a Utah native who has long dreamed of becoming an attorney. After attending high school in Stansbury Park, Utah, she attended BYU, served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brazil and Georgia, and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in History in 2023. After finishing at BYU, she attended S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, graduating in 2026. Sydney hopes to pursue a legal career in litigation and will be working at the boutique firm Hoggan Lee Hutchinson after taking the Utah bar.

Guo Yu

Guo Yu (Alex) is a recent BYU Law graduate and a first-generation law student. She immigrated to the United States from China at age fourteen and later studied Legal Studies at UC Berkeley, where she attended on a full scholarship. Her educational path required persistence and independence, and it shaped her interest in law as both a profession and a way to make opportunity more accessible to others.

During law school, Alex served as President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and gained international legal experience through internships with MoFo and Baker McKenzie in Tokyo. Those opportunities strengthened her interest in building a career in international and cross-border legal work. Fluent in Mandarin, Japanese, and English, Alex hopes to serve clients whose needs reach across countries, cultures, and communities. Alongside her legal studies, she independently initiated and completed a Chinese-language legal access tool designed to make Utah’s legal resources clearer and more approachable for non-English-speaking residents seeking legal support.

UCLI and YLD commend these outstanding students for their hard work, dedication, and impact. We look forward to seeing the positive influence they will bring to Utah’s legal field as they take this important next step in their careers!