Veteran Student Profiles

What did you do before law school?

Before law school, I served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army after commissioning as an Armor Officer. My training focused on mounted maneuver and platoon-level operations. In practice, I worked in a role analogous to an assistant project manager, providing planning and operational support for large-scale training exercises involving units of 300 to 1,200 soldiers. I coordinated communication across multiple levels of command, briefed the Commanding Officer on training progress, and managed logistical planning to ensure operational deadlines were met.  

What led you to pursue law school?

I have long been motivated by a commitment to public service and a desire to be a community leader within the Mexican American community. Pursuing a law degree allows me to advocate effectively by grounding my work in the law, ensuring that my voice carries institutional and legal authority. Law school was a natural extension of my service-oriented background and my goal of creating durable, legally sound change. 

How has Seattle University School of Law benefited you? What have you found most valuable during your law school experience?

I learn best through hands-on experience, and Seattle University School of Law has strongly supported that learning style. Through clinics, externships, and practice-oriented courses such as our Legal Writing Program, Pretrial Advocacy, and Land Use Regulation, I have received detailed feedback on work that closely mirrors real legal practice, including assignments similar to those I completed during my summer internships. Equally valuable has been the collegial environment, which made it easier to collaborate with classmates and transition back into an academic setting after more than five years away from school.