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UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW


AUGUST 27, 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 17

Graduating into a World of Debt: Could America Go Bankrupt?

Sept. 17

ACS Presents: SCOTUS OT 2024 in Review

Nov. 29

Homecoming

Greetings,


This week we feature Student Bar Association President Taylor Alexander. The SBA is an integral part of the law school, and I know Taylor will ably lead the organization and enrich the LawCat experience for the student body.


Other campus leaders include the Arizona Law Ambassadors. As we have over the past few weeks, we will introduce some of the Ambassadors for the new academic year.


Finally, on campus and beyond, our clinic students are helping to expand access to justice. Read more about the recent opportunity they had to visit a hearing.

Read on,

Jason

FEATURE

Q&A with the 2025–26 SBA President Taylor Alexander

Welcome back, LawCats! Third-year law student Taylor Alexander is this year’s Student Bar Association president at Arizona Law. As SBA president, she hopes to help nurture and grow the supportive, tight-knit environment that first drew her to Arizona Law. 


Get to know more: 


Name: Taylor Alexander

Hometown: Pismo Beach, California

Undergrad: San Diego State University


What first inspired you to pursue a law degree? 

I’ve always been drawn to challenge—and to doing the “hard thing.” I knew I wanted to help people, even before I knew exactly how. Studying law felt like the best foundation for making a meaningful difference. 


What do you hope to do with your law degree? 

I want to be a litigator. I love being in the courtroom and advocating for others. My goal is to be a strong, strategic voice for people who need one—especially in high-stakes cases.


What are you looking forward to this year? 

Spending time with my friends and really enjoying my final year. I want to soak up every moment.  


What do you think everyone should experience as an Arizona Law student? 

Trivia Night. Honestly, it’s the best. Almost everyone shows up, it’s competitive, hilarious and an all-around good time. But really—our student events in general are super fun! 


What do you think everyone should experience living in Tucson? 

The food! Tucson is one of only two U.S. cities designated UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy. There are so many incredible local spots—you will never run out of places to try. 


Favorite restaurant in Tucson? What do you order? 

Tough call—there are so many great ones. I love Amelia’s, Culinary Dropout, Postino and Mojo Cuban Kitchen. I’ve tried a lot of different dishes and haven’t been disappointed yet.


Favorite hangout spot on campus? 

The courtyard—especially between November and March.   


Do you take study breaks in law school? What do you do? 

Absolutely. I’m more productive when I break up my work. My go-to breaks usually involve grabbing lunch with a friend, chatting in the lobby or hanging out in the Fender Room.  


Advice for incoming first-year LawCats? 

Take a deep breath. This probably feels like a lot—and you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed at first. You don’t need to have it all figured out in week one, or month one. Do your readings, give it your best effort and over time the pieces will fall into place.  


What are your goals and priorities for the upcoming school year? 

To be present, finish strong and enjoy the time I have left in Tucson. I’ve moved around a lot, and I know how fleeting these moments are. I want to make the most of this last year—learning, connecting and having fun. 


What legacy or impact do you hope to leave as SBA president? 

I hope to be an effective advocate for my class and help foster and further the collaborative, supportive environment that made me fall in love with U of A in the first place.

FROM THE COLLEGE

Immigration Law Clinic Sees Work Come to Fruition During Court Visit

Front row: Fernanda Medina Ponce, Leah Ndimurwimo, Lynn Marcus. Back row: Phoebe Gwimo, Zaynah Craven, Elizabeth Gallardo Robles, Keely Sipiorski, Alejandra Duarte, Alexia Rascon, Alexandra Nieminen

Members of the Immigration Law Clinic (ILC) visited Tucson Immigration Court recently to witness the hearing of a clinic client, who was granted asylum.


As clinic students during the fall of 2024, rising 3L Alexandra Nieminen and Franklin Tambe Agbor (’25) conducted multiple client interviews, investigated the facts and developed the case theory and factual record under the supervision of Clinical Professor of Law Lynn Marcus. Collaborating attorney Tamber Hilton represented the client at the hearing. The government reserved appeal.


Incoming ILC students observed the hearing as part of their clinic orientation. Also observing were visiting Fulbright Scholar Leah Ndimurwimo of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and her daughter, Phoebe Gwimo.

Meet the Arizona Law Ambassadors

Arizona Law Ambassadors are often the first to welcome prospective students to our community. This select group of student leaders supports admissions and alumni events, answers questions from admitted students and their families about life at Arizona Law, and helps new students feel at home during orientation. Ambassadors also play a key role in building connections between current students and our alumni community.


Once again this week, we are introducing the Arizona Law Ambassadors for the new academic year. If you see them at an upcoming event, like Homecoming, be sure to say hello and thank them for all they do!

Kate Mook ’27

Hometown: Palm Desert, CA


Legal area of interest: I’m really interested in public interest law, whether that be working with survivors of domestic violence, working for the government or working in politics.


What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? Every student should get to know the other small sections! I have the best small section and I also made friends with a lot of people in other small sections. Not only will this help you learn about other courses and professors, but it will also help you find more support, study tactics/buddies and friends!


What advice do you have for incoming 1Ls? Law school can come with a steep learning curvebe kind to yourself, remember that you are enough, and know that it will get easier! Do the best *you* can do and don’t worry too much about what everyone else is doing.

Alex Nieminen ’26

Hometown: Cave Creek, AZ


Legal area of interest: Family law and litigationI’m still exploring different areas of law. You never know what you may be interested in unless you give it a try!


What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? I really enjoyed participating in the Summer On-Campus Interview Program that happens early in the spring semester. Having the interview practice under my belt helped me feel more confident in talking about myself and my law school experience.


Why did you choose Arizona Law? I chose Arizona Law because of the tight-knit community it fosters between current students, staff and faculty, recent alumni, and even alumni from many years ago. I feel like there is an implicit bond between Arizona Law graduates that is incredibly supportive and positive. I love being a part of it!

Carissa Patton ’26

Hometown: Murphy, TX


Legal area of interest: Intellectual property


What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law? Criminal Procedure with Professor Kreag. His vast knowledge and experience made the content come to life, he brought clarity to any questions that were asked of him, and he never failed to make the entire class laugh right when we needed it. This class was my first taste of criminal law, so it also prompted a lot of interesting conversations with family members in law enforcement about things I had never thought of before, so I really enjoyed that as well.


Why did you choose Arizona Law? I chose Arizona Law because of the opportunities to learn about a vast range of law and technologies. With a background in computer engineering, I wanted to pursue an area of law that intersected technology. Arizona’s TechLaw Fellowship and faculty and staff committed to helping students learn more about how law is impacted by technology made it the easy choice for me!

Arjun Puri ’26

Hometown: Troy, MI


Legal area of interest: I would like to do either private sector work or government environmental law work.


What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? Trivia Night! It’s a great way each semester to get together with the entire law school and forget about school for an evening.


What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law? I like to study together with my friends in the Collaborative Space on the bottom floor of the library. Generally, studying with others is great because talking about the material together helps each of you understand it deeper than you would if you were studying alone.

Alison Rahman ’26

Hometown: Ransom Canyon, TX


Legal area of interest: I look forward to working in an area of law that allows me to protect people’s assets.


What clubs and organizations are you involved in outside of class? I’m the current vice president of the South Asian Law Student Association and the treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. Also, I play pickleball and tennis with other students on the weekend for fun!


What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law? Legal Research, Analysis, and Communications (LRAC) has been the most memorable class because it challenges everyone differently. For instance, writing my first legal memorandum felt almost impossible because legal writing was like a new language. However, I only felt comfortable with legal writing after I made mistakes that I could improve on. LRAC helped me grow significantly as a writer.

Alexia Rascon ’27

Hometown: Tucson, AZ


Legal area of interest: I am mainly interested in immigration law. Nonetheless, I am also interested in other legal areas such as criminal and employment.


What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? Everyone should experience being a volunteer or observer for the Basic or Advanced Trial Advocacy Class. Observing other Arizona Law 2Ls and 3Ls argue a case in front of a real judge is so intriguing. It is also special to see your peers in action as they demonstrate their legal knowledge, creativity and presence in a courtroom.


What clubs and organizations are you involved in outside of class? I am the president of the Latine Law Student Association, vice president of the Student Bar Association and on the executive board of the Immigration Law Student Association.

Keila Dalila Rodriguez Baez ’27

Hometown: Santa Ana, Sonora, Mexico


Legal area of interest: Labor and employment law, civil rights law, international law


What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law? Every student should go to Donuts with the Dean. It’s a low key setting that gives you the opportunity to talk about anything with the Dean.


What clubs and organizations are you involved in outside of class? I am most involved with Latine Law Student Association and Native and Indigenous Law Students Association. I am also part of the Federalist Society and Law Women’s Association. I think becoming involved with clubs and organizations is a great way to meet classmates and get involved with things you’re passionate about.

Calling Attorney Mentors!

Innovation for Justice at Arizona Law is seeking attorneys in Arizona who have or are prepared to develop subject matter expertise in family law, orders of protection, eviction or professional responsibility. 

 

Attorney mentors support our community legal education programs, which have been serving low-income community members in Arizona since 2020 and are now authorized by the Arizona Supreme Court through Arizona Code of Judicial Administration 7-211. Mentors are paired with certified community legal advocates to support their work in delivering preventative civil legal problem-solving through the social service organizations where they work. Anticipated time commitment is 4–5 hours per month. Attorneys can participate for a stipend or as volunteers. 

 

For more information contact cle@innovation4justice.org or visit www.innovation4justice.org/education/community.

IN THE NEWS

Experts fear Trump repealing climate rule; Trust, investment in science at stake along with health, clean energy 

Arizona Republic, quoting Stephanie Stern 

Do You Have News?


Your success is the college’s success and we want to celebrate with you! If you have landed a new job, received an award or recognition, stepped into a leadership role or have good news in general, let us know.

Instagram, @uarizonalaw

It’s early in the school year, but clinic activity is heating up. The new class of Immigration Law Clinic students saw firsthand the impact of the work they will do throughout the semester.


In addition, we were pleased with the response to the call for Innovation for Justice volunteers. Keep it coming!

Onward!

Jason

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