Philanthropy empowers excellence

See the stories below that were made possible by support from alumni like you.

APILSA Scholarship in Memory of William Nakano

This scholarship is crucial to helping me receive a legal education. As someone interested in pursuing public interest work, specifically removal defense, scholarships alleviate the financial burden of attending law school while allowing me to pursue my passions and do the work I intended to do. Thank you so much for your generosity and supporting me so that I can pursue important immigrant and racial justice work. - Niki N., Class of 2027

Name, Image & Likeness Clinic

The NIL Program engaged with several coaches and teams this past academic year – including football, women’s beach volleyball, women’s water polo, track & field, and members of the newly formed Athlete Influencer Club (AIC) – to provide an overview of the NIL landscape and the NIL Clinic. Student clinicians also volunteered at UCLA’s Second Annual ‘Westwood Exchange Live’ event, bringing UCLA’s student athletes together with local businesses, sponsors, and entrepreneurs.

Documentary Film Legal Clinic

Throughout the 2024 Fall Semester, the Documentary Film Legal Clinic provided pro bono legal support to filmmakers representing nearly 20 projects highlighting diverse storytelling and raising awareness on important social issues. The student-clinician teams tackled numerous issues concerning contract, copyright, privacy, and defamation, and provided direct and ongoing guidance and counseling to filmmakers ahead of film festival premieres and screenings.

Public Interest Fellow

As a Legal Intern with ACLU SoCal. I primarily contributed to the organization’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, challenging the agency’s excessive use of force against demonstrators and journalists at the immigration raid protests. I also researched police misconduct non-disclosure agreements and police associations in support of ACLU SoCal’s policy advocacy efforts. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make a substantive contribution to urgent litigation on behalf of the public, and I gained valuable insight into the challenges that come with holding the government accountable.- Jake O., Class of 2027

Veterans' Justice Clinic

Kim W. (’25) organized a record clearing clinic as an advanced student with the UCLA Veterans’ Justice Clinic. She recruited and trained law student volunteers who met one on one with veterans to address outstanding infractions and apply to expunge past criminal convictions.

Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Scholarship

This scholarship allows me to focus on my work and my goals while focusing less on pursuing career paths and opportunities for financial gain alone. I don't want to sacrifice doing what I love to do what I need to do for loans. The gifts you give help me stay true to myself! I hope I am embodying the spirit of your generosity through my studies and career goals. It's inspiring that people like you allow students like me to pursue my dreams. - Noah M., Class of 2027

California Environmental Legislation Clinic

The California Environmental Legislation Clinic partnered with State Senators Ben Allen, Caroline Menjivar, and Henry Stern and Assemblymember Lori Wilson, and students worked on a range of exciting projects, from thinking about how to reduce aggregate recycling facility impacts on neighboring environmental justice communities to helping gear up for the looming Cap-and-Trade reauthorization process and more.

Public Interest Fellow

This summer, I interned at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in the Bureau of Consumer Protection. My interests are in housing and debt, and I got to work on cases involving tenants’ rights (habitability violations and illegal evictions) and predatory mortgage schemes. I have a background in direct representation and seek to continue doing direct representation when I graduate. Working in state enforcement this summer gave me a greater understanding of the state’s Consumer Protection Law and allowed me to see the ways legal aid and enforcement can work together to protect people’s rights. - Frances P.H., Class of 2026

Prisoners' Rights Clinic

On November 7, 2024, 3Ls Michaela F. and Sylvie L. argued Avila v. Felder, No. 22- 15791—a case brought by an incarcerated man who was denied emergency ophthalmic care for several years leading to blindness—at the Ninth Circuit. Both did an outstanding job. They were poised, articulate, and compelling, before an engaged panel of Judges W. Fletcher, Callahan, and de Alba. Several weeks later, they won.

Justice John A. Arguelles LLSA Scholarship

Attending law school is a luxury that many people cannot fathom. I feel the ease of navigating what my future holds without the financial stress that would make me lose even more sleep. I feel academically validated by this scholarship, but I mostly feel seen for the entirety of what I bring to this school. I will bring in this newfound confidence to every step in my goals. - Sarid Andrea M. Q., Class of 2027

Immigrant Family Legal Clinic

The 2024 Fall Semester Immigrant Family Legal Clinic had a mighty team of 13 law students, 2 staff attorneys, one office manager, and a new social worker to serve the immigrant families at RFK Community Schools. UCLA Law students represented unaccompanied minors as well as several asylum-seeking families (for a total of 24 individuals!). These complex cases involved multiple forms of immigration relief and advocacy in state court, immigration court, and before federal agencies.