UCLI announces 2022 Bar Review Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship recipients

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is pleased to announce this year’s recipients for the Bar Review Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship.

Congratulations to the five recipients of UCLI’s 2022 Bar Review Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship: Alusine Conteh, America Andrade, Andrew Wirkus, Carolyn Sharp, and Zachariah Becerra.

UCLI wishes each recipient the best in their journeys, and looks forward to seeing the many contributions they will make to Utah’s legal profession. Please find more information about each scholarship recipient below.

Alusine Conteh – Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Class of 2022

Alusine Conteh is originally from Sierra Leone. He recently graduated from the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School. Before law school, Alusine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.During his time as a law student served as president of the Black Law Students Association and a member of the BYU Law Trial Advocacy Team. Alusine has interned with the Utah SupremeCourt and Hayes Godfrey Bell, PC, and has served as a BYU Law faculty research assistant and student ambassador. Outside of law school, Alusine works with the nonprofit Future Scholars of Africa, which provides resources to African college students in Utah. After the bar, Alusine plans to continue pursuing opportunities to further equity and inclusion within the legal profession.

America Andrade – Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Class of 2022

My name is America Andrade. I am a recent law grad from BYU Law School. I did my undergrad at Utah State University (Go Aggies!) and I grew up in a small town in Idaho where I lived with my mom and younger brother. I came to law school to become a prosecutor. I’ve known that I wanted to be a prosecutor since I was around ten years old. I knew early on that I wanted to defend the law and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Specifically, I want to work within the Special Victims Unit and protect women and children. Throughout law school I have worked with the SLC DA’s office, the Utah County DA’s office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. I have been actively involved in inclusion within the legal profession all three years of law school and I hope to continue to strengthen the profession and add more diverse voices in the future.

Andrew Wirkus – University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law, Class of 2022

I am from Salt Lake City. I got a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health with an International Development minor and a Social Innovation Certificate. I decided to go to law school because I wanted to marry my interests of improving the social determinants of health and social innovation, and I viewed law school as a great way to do that. I did a lot of clinics during law school and that was by far the best choice for me. I learned so much by actually doing innovative work and having my feet on the ground rather than just sitting in a room listening to a lecture or being afraid of the socratic method. I spent as much time as I could taking public interest classes and experiential learning opportunities. I worked in Immigration, in tribal affairs, on covid response with the ACLU, on disability rights with the Disability Law Center, doing data visualization for a more transparent criminal legal system, and in clinics coming up with innovative and creative ways to bridge the access to justice gap. I have accepted a job with the National Center For State Courts and I get to continue chasing the dream of a more equitable and fair legal process. This scholarship came at a critical time for me. Pursuing a career in public interest out of law school is intimidating because it doesn’t offer the same financial security that my peers have, but being able to know that my bar fees are paid for I can really take the time to study and prepare myself for success in passing the Bar.

Carolyn Sharp – Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Class of 2022

Carolyn Sharp recently graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Before law school, she attended the University of Utah where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Religious Studies. Shortly after starting, Carolyn decided to pursue a career in military and national security law. During her 2L year, Carolyn served as BYU Law’s first woman president of the Military and National Security Law club and focused her studies on emerging technology and warfare. Carolyn’s published works, discussing the future of warfare, intentionally cite women writers, when possible, to elevate their voices. She believes that diverse thought from diverse communities can provide unorthodox, solutions-based approaches to current and future global obstacles. Carolyn looks forward to embarking on her legal career with her two children by her side and collaborating with individuals who also seek to include and elevate diverse perspectives.

Zachariah Becerra – University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law, Class of 2022

Zachariah Beccera recently graduated from the University of Utah’s SJ Quinney College of Law with his Juris Doctorate. He is the son and grandson of Mexican immigrants. Prior to law school he attended Utah Valley University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. Zachariah served as the Vice President of the Multicultural Law Caucus during law school. In this capacity he helped raise funds for scholarships for minority students, and planned networking events among other responsibilities. Zachariah spent time clerking in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office. He looks forward to joining the Bar and continuing his legal career.