Julia Vasquez

Ms. Vasquez will graduate from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law in the Spring of 2010.   Prior to attending  law school Ms. Vasquez served the South Central Los Angeles community as a kindergarten teacher.  Her personal experiences and those of her students propelled her to a career in law so that she could be an advocate for underrepresented communities.   Ms. Vasquez is active at her school and sits as Co-Chair of the La Raza Law Students Association, as Articles Editor of the Chicana/o Latina/o Law Review, Board Member of the Immigration Law Society and as a Writing Advisor for the First-Year Lawyering Skills Course.  In addition, Ms. Vasquez will serve this next year as chair of the El Centro Legal Clinic, which provides free immigration advice to detainees.  Along with her numerous activities Ms. Vasquez has been able to maintain a 3.1 GPA.  Ms. Vasquez spent this  past Summer working as a law clerk for MALDEF.  Ms. Vasquez is dedicated to challenging the mistrust of the legal system which is pervasive in underrepresented communities and plans to serve as an advocate for the rights of immigrants and other underrepresented persons.  In recognition of her dedication to helping immigrants and the underprivileged, WLALA is honored to name Ms. Vasquez as a 2009 Scholarship recipient.