Meet the 2021 Summer LaunchPad Student Fellows. Their collective bios tell our CUNY Law story and give us a glimpse of where we are going. And it’s inspiring!
Traditionally, the LaunchPad for Justice program works with recent graduates after they sit for the bar exam. Due to the pandemic, many students have lost summer opportunities to gain valuable work experience, as many courts remain closed, and many internships have been revoked. Given the additional obstacles faced by our students during the pandemic, the Office of Alumni Engagement extended this fellowship opportunity for the first time to five students. The fellows will be working in housing with the Red Hook Community Justice Center, through the Center for Court Innovation, and in family law with the Uncontested Divorce Program in NY Civil Court.
See video for more information about the LaunchPad for Justice program.
For more information visit our site.
Anne Leonardo
Anne is a rising 2L with experience in tenants’ rights and eviction prevention.
She is interested in alternative justice systems, housing law, and criminal defense. She’s very excited to be working directly with tenants this summer at the Justice Center.
Jonathan Silva
Jonathan is a rising 3L with paralegal experience in employment law and, specifically, workers compensation/personal injury before he began his law school life.
Jonathan has plenty of experience in helping clients achieve their desired outcomes. In their time with the Redhook Community Justice Center and the Uncontested Divorce Program, they hope to expand their knowledge of housing and family law.
In addition, they hope to expand their experience with helping clients, which is an essential component of being an advocate.
Abigail Soto
Abigail Soto is a rising 2L with an interest in immigration law. She hopes to approach immigration work from a holistic perspective, supporting clients beyond their status, but also in their housing needs and family law matters.
Abigail is excited to work with the Red Hook Community Justice Center, helping clients and learning from every opportunity to work with them.
Sydney St. Pierre
Sydney is a rising 2L with experience in immigration work. Recognizing that clients oftentimes have needs beyond their presenting issues, she is eager to advocate for the Red Hook community in accessing essential resources, such as affordable housing and public benefits.
Through this fellowship opportunity, she is honored to take part in frontline work and be a friend to those navigating such complex systems.
Shehran Uddin
Shehran is a rising 2L with prior experience in foreclosure defense and activism regarding Palestinian liberation.
He is interested in criminal defense as well as tenants’ rights. He is very excited to be working with communities of color in Brooklyn this summer at the Justice Center.