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Greetings,
In anticipation, today I'm pleased to share profiles of more of our newest graduates from the SJD, JD, MLS, and LLM programs.
Until the footnotes,
Marc
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Snapshots of 2018 Arizona Law Graduates
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University of Arizona Law Master of Legal Studies (MLS) graduate
Robin Al-haddad was inspired to focus her career in international development and human rights advocacy after having worked for refugee resettlement agencies and overseas in the U.S. Peace Corps program.
She wanted to make an impact in the social justice and public policy field, so she decided to pursue her MLS, with a concentration in international human rights law, at Arizona Law.
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Notable
Robin also earned a master's degree in development practice (MPD) in 2017 from the University of Arizona.
Quotable
She chose Arizona Law because she wanted the opportunity the opportunity to work closely with female faculty members she described as "strong women who greatly exemplify the type of work that I hope to parallel."
What's next?
Robin currently works for a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) firm, which conducts program evaluations for international development. She looks forward to applying her new-found skills and education right away:
"I hope to be able to work with international aid agencies, non-governmental organizations, government organizations, and/or international corporations to advocate for fair and just public policy through working for a M&E firm, conducting assessments for international development and recovery programs."
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Mia Hammersley decided to pursue law school when she realized that in order to put her master of science in water policy degree to work and create meaningful and lasting change in water management, she would need to address the core issue in the field -- the water law framework.
Although her undergraduate years were spent in Switzerland, she grew up in Flagstaff and calls Arizona home. She has Yaqui and Tigua ancestors.
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Notable
Mia participated in the Tribal Justice Clinic and the newly launched Natural Resource Use & Management Clinic. She is one of the founding members of
the Justice Advocates Coalition (JAC), a student-formed initiative, founded in 2017, with the goal of both empowering marginalized communities and supporting law students pursuing careers in public interest law.
Quotable
"Law, at its core, is about public service, and anyone considering pursuing a legal career, particularly here at Arizona Law, should not underestimate the positive impact that they can have even just as a law student," she says. "At Arizona Law, there are many opportunities to engage in community lawyering and work with vulnerable communities through volunteering, externships and clinics."
What's next?
After graduation, Mia heads to Washington, DC, to begin what she calls her dream job: working as a legal fellow with nonprofit environmental law organization Earthjustice (their slogan: "Because the earth needs a good lawyer").
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Nicolas Hurtado was working as a criminal law attorney in Colombia, but wanted to continue his education.
He knew that in order to improve his craft and build a better career profile in his country, he would need to earn a Master of Laws (LLM) from the United States.
He settled on University of Arizona Law because of the great reputation of the trial advocacy program and the college's emphasis on practical training.
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Notable
This year he won second place in the college's Richard Grand Closing Argument Competition and says it was one of his most memorable moments as a student. Nicolas is the first LLM student to receive this award.
Quotable
"I didn't want to be sitting in a classroom the whole time. I wanted a hands-on experience, and Arizona Law had some of the best reviews. And it really has been [that experience]."
What's next?
After graduation, Nicolas says he is focused on studying for the bar exam and says it will take him a while to adjust to life outside of law school. He will miss his professors and the connections he has built:
"I am so thankful and will miss many of my professors. They were incredible to me and helped me to become a better lawyer. I improved my skills because they took the time, not just to teach me but to listen to me and talk to me. That is what makes this law school so different."
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Benjie Parsalaw, SJD
Before coming to Arizona Law, Benjie Parsalaw
, a lawyer and lecturer in Tanzania, was teaching Public International Law, Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, and Constitutional Law at Tumaini University Makumira.
As a Doctor of Juridical Science student, he wanted to engage in human rights advocacy for indigenous peoples rights, so he chose Arizona Law for its Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy program.
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Notable
Benji participated in the Child and Family Law Clinic as an English/Swahili language interpreter. He is a co-founder of the Doctoral Law Student Association, and he was selected by fellow 2018 graduates as the non-JD student speaker at convocation.
Quotable
"Professor Robert Williams Jr.'s class on Critical Race Theory and Practice greatly enhanced my knowledge base on the legal aspects underlying race and racism in the U.S. and the world at large."
What's next?
Benjie finished his time at Arizona Law by successfully defending his dissertation, which explores legal and policy barriers to the protection of indigenous peoples' land rights in Tanzania.
He looks forward to returning to Tanzania, where he will continue to teach law as well as engage in human rights and advocacy work.
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Last week we introduced you to another 2018 graduate, track and field athlete
Hunter Davila
, who earned his BA in Law. In case you missed it, you can
read Hunter's full profile here.
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Upcoming Summer Receptions
Calling all New York City and DC area alums and friends! We are headed your way at the end of May to kick off our summer reception series. It's a great chance to renew old connections and make new ones. See you there!
New York Reception
Tuesday, May 29
at 5:30 p.m.
Renaissance Hotel in the
Rock & Reilly's Outdoor Terrace
218 West 35
th
Street, New York, NY
Washington DC Reception
Thursday, May 31
at 5:30 p.m.
Quarles & Brady
1701 Pennsylvania Ave Ste 700, Washington, DC
And, watch this space and your email box for your invitation to upcoming summer receptions in other parts of the country.
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Reading about Benjie, Mia, Robin, Nicolas, and Hunter, it's easy to understand why we're all so proud of our newest group of Arizona Law graduates.
They join a wonderful and highly engaged
alumni community, of whom we are equally proud.
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