The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its recent graduates.
Six Class of 2023 graduates have become judicial law clerks: five are working for judges in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Nija Bastfield, Andrea de la Torre, Tonya Harris, Stella Iweh, and Tatyana Safronova), while Asia Hartgrove serves as a judicial clerk with the courts in her home state of New Jersey.
Former students of the Criminal Defense and Racial Justice Clinic and Youth Justice Clinic continue their dedication to the causes they championed during their academic journey.
Kathryn Lord is a public defender in Chesapeake, VA, where she advocates for clients impacted by the criminal legal system as she did as a student attorney in the Criminal Defense and Racial Justice Clinic.
Inspired by her participation in the Criminal Defense and Racial Justice Clinic, Kenya Whitaker is a fellow at DC Justice Lab. Kenya contributes valuable data to support racial justice just campaigns and empowers the community to participate in and lead discussions about how laws can aid in violence prevention.
Rashiida Clark, who completed the Youth Justice Clinic, is furthering her pursuit of equity as the director of the EEO Program at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Emely Cruz is a criminal defense attorney in Maryland, putting to use the advocacy skills she developed in the Criminal Defense and Racial Justice Clinic.
Francisca Perez joined the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a sub-agency of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ Honors program is highly competitive and offers new legal professionals the opportunity to influence the nation’s immigration system.
Elisa Ruano Velasquez is poised to make a significant impact in the field by joining the immigration practice at the DC Affordable Law Firm, where her dedication to serving the immigrant community is readily apparent as she aims to provide affordable legal services to those in need.
Genesis Aguirre Guerra accepted an Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) fellowship. As a fellow, Gensis collaborates with the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition, a prominent organization advocating for the rights of immigrants in the local community.
Claudia Cuesta Garibay joined the United Farmworkers, a renowned organization dedicated to championing the rights of farmworkers, as an IJC fellow. Claudia returned to her home state of California and is stationed in Bakersfield, where she will contribute to the fight for immigrant justice.
UDC Law graduates are at the forefront of driving essential change to diversify the legal profession. Their commitment to promoting inclusivity and advocating for underrepresented communities is helping to shape a more equitable and representative future for the legal field. As these talented individuals continue to excel in their careers and carry forward the values instilled during their education at UDC Law, their contributions will be instrumental in creating a legal profession that reflects the rich tapestry of our society.
