We are excited to introduce the dedicated individuals who are leading the 2024-2025 Western State Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA). These passionate and talented students are committed to representing the interests of our Latinx law students and fostering a supportive and inclusive community within the law school.
Meet the Executive Board
Maria Campos Tello, 3L
Co-President
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Immigration Law & Juvenile Law
Who are your role models:
My hard-working parents are my role models. They have taught me the importance of never giving up, being compassionate, and never forgetting where I came from. At a young age, my parents instilled in me that I could become anything I wanted in life. Without them, pursuing a career in law would have been impossible.
What are your future goals:
My future goals consist of graduating from law school, passing the CA bar, and continuing to give back to my local community. I want to make the legal field more accessible to other Latinx individuals like me and raise the 2% statistic of Latinas in law!
Advice for new students:
The one piece of advice to new students is to not be so hard on yourself! Law school is meant to make us think, write, read, and analyze differently than what we are used to. It’s okay to not get things on the first try, but you must keep pushing through!
Emeli Navarro, 3LCo-President
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Product Liability, Consumer Litigation Defense, Business Formation, & Intellectual Property
Who are your role models:
Prior WSCL alumnus, Alexandra Jara Esq., as well as my grandmothers, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
What are your future goals:
My future goal is to be a practicing business attorney within Orange County. I would also like to be part of the board of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association.
Advice for new students:
From my experience, discipline and organization are the biggest pillars of success. Getting through law school is not an easy feat, give yourself more credit along the way and responsibly make time to do things that make you happy.
Jason Ruiz, 2LVice President
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Healthcare Law & Contract Law
Who are your role models:
Without a doubt, my dad and my mom!
What are your future goals:
The future goal has always been to be the first Latino President of the United States.
Advice for new students:
Throughout your life you will face difficult and complicated situations, and you might forget to live and enjoy every moment of your life. Learn that the only moment that matters is the present, and although changes occur in quick succession without you having any idea, you can always learn to live your best life in the moment that God has placed you in. You are here for a reason, never forget that and never give up on your dreams!
Astrid Cardona, 3LSecretary
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Immigration Law & Criminal Law
Who are your role models:
My mother is my role model.
What are your future goals:
My future goals are to establish my own law firm and make a difference in the immigrant community. I hope to assist many families in reuniting and help individuals obtain their employment authorization card, residency, and citizenship in the United States. My goal is also to help the underrepresented and give them a voice.
Advice for new students:
If you remain focused, disciplined, and determined, you will succeed in law school and in life. Remember to always do what works best for you and your personal progress – never compare yourself to others. Be proud of how far you’ve come and all you’ve accomplished.
Vivian Alejandre, 2LCommunity Outreach Chair
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Voting Rights & Immigration
Who are your role models:
My parents.
What are your future goals:
To put myself in the best position possible to help underrepresented communities.
Advice for new students:
Take it one step at a time and try not to overwhelm yourself.
Omar Saldivar, 2LMarketing Chair
What field(s) of law interests you most:
Civil Trial Advocacy/Litigation
Who are your role models:
Steve Irwin, Kobe Bryant, and Tiger Woods.
What are your future goals:
Own or become a Partner in a future law firm.
Advice for new students:
Stay consistent with your growth and always try to improve something about yourself whenever or however you can. Whether it’s the way you study or the order in which you do things, there is always a way of getting better at being a student.
Whether you are a first-year student or a seasoned 3L, the LLSA welcomes all students to join their community. To learn more, please email llsa@stu.wsulaw.edu.
