Leslie Joya

Ms. Joya is entering her third year at UCLA School of Law this fall.  During law school, Ms. Joya has devoted her time to organizations that work with women and children.  Ms. Joya has served as a mentor for the UCLA Law Fellows Program, where she has guided fellow immigrant Latinas through the law school application process.  Additionally, as co-chair of the Women of Color Collective, Ms. Joya coordinated events to foster support for fellow students who are embarking on their legal career.  Last summer, Ms. Joya was a summer law clerk with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), where she researched issues related to recent changes to asylum law, custody and guardianship of unaccompanied minors.  This summer, Ms. Joya worked for the California Teachers Association, which prides itself on being a powerful and passionate advocate for students and public education.  Ms. Joya is passionate about women’s empowerment and plans to work at the intersection of immigrants’ and low-wage workers’ rights after graduation.