Patrick Malone & Associates announces 2024 winners of the firm’s Representing Real People law school scholarships

Washington, D.C.: The law firm of Patrick Malone & Associates is giving $23,000 in scholarships in 2024 in its “Representing Real People” program to encourage law students to devote their lawyer careers to representing underserved individuals and communities.

There are two winners of $5,000 scholarships and thirteen of $1,000. The firm also is listing finalists who are not receiving a money grant but deserve recognition for their achievements and dedication.

This is the ninth year of the firm’s scholarship program.

“I was thrilled to receive so many deserving applications, and it was moving to read the heartfelt stories of sacrifice and perseverance told by our applicants,” Patrick Malone said. “We’re honored to help start them on the path toward meaningful careers representing real people who need dedicated and passionate lawyering.”

The “Representing Real People” scholarships are intended for students committed to a career representing individuals, especially those of limited means.  Suitable fields of law include immigration, tenant rights, employment (for individual employees and unions), family matters, disability rights, estates and trusts, criminal defense for indigents, and public interest law focusing on individual rights.

Here is the list of winners for 2024, with names, hometowns, law schools, and some biographical details (written by the recipients):

$5,000 scholarships:

Caroline Hackett of El Paso TX; The City University of New York School of Law, Long Island City NY

Caroline is a research scientist with degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology who has worked in academia and industry since 2007. Helping people live healthier lives was a goal she first pursued via science but is now hoping to achieve through a career in law. While medical research improves lives, healthcare policy that makes medicine accessible is equally important and requires law to implement. Caroline has long been interested in healthcare law and disability rights and is attending CUNY School of Law with the goal of working in either of these fields.

Jessica Inkelaar, of Arab Al; Georgetown Law Center, Washington D.C.

Jessica is a humanitarian professional with nine years of experience working for non-profit organization, the International Rescue Committee (IRC). In 2016, she was part of the original team helping to establish IRC’s Kansas Office for

Refugees, which provided statewide administration of the refugee resettlement program across Southwest Kansas, Wichita, and Kansas City. Most recently, she served as a Program & Award Officer for the Middle East and North Africa region, supporting teams in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen from IRC’s headquarters in New York. Jessica also completed a couple of short-term field assignments, including in Beirut, Lebanon after the port explosion and in N’Djamena, Chad after the 2023 influx of Sudanese refugees. Jessica plans to build upon her career as a humanitarian by providing legal representation to refugees, asylum-seekers, and other individuals who have experienced human rights abuses. She is particularly interested in litigating cases that challenge systemic injustices, such as unfair detention, deportation, forced labor, family separation, and inability to access and apply for asylum. Jessica obtained her BA in English and Spanish from the University of Alabama in 2010 and her Master of Theology (ThM) from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2014.

$1,000 scholarships:

Zelunjo Ajaegbu, of Dallas TX; New York University School of Law, New York City

Zelunjo Ajaegbu graduated from Yale University in 2022, earning his BA in economics. During his time at Yale, Zelunjo co-founded a student-led humanitarian organization that educated people around the world about global human rights abuses and executed projects that directly helped those most impacted by them. After graduation, Zelunjo worked as a paralegal for an immigration law firm, where he was exposed to cases dealing with a wide range of human rights issues. Witnessing how the law could be used as a tool to improve the lives of marginalized and vulnerable people inspired Zelunjo to attend law school. He will begin his legal studies at the New York University School of Law in the fall of 2024 and intends to pursue a career where he can utilize his J.D. to safeguard human rights on a broader scale

Cindy R. Earl, of Portsmouth VA; Widener University Delaware Law school, Wilmington, DE

As a former caregiver and private investigator, Cindy’s commitment to uncovering details and protecting vulnerable populations is evident from owning and operating a boutique private investigation firm that investigated and advocated for the prosecution of elder abuse cases in Virginia. Cindy also founded a non-profit organization called the Proof Foundation, which supports older adults and seniors through building meaningful intergenerational relationships in an effort to overcome self-neglect and loneliness. Cindy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University and is currently a full-time first year law student. She plans to use her law degree to champion the rights of older adults and seniors, help them maintain autonomy, and defend them against financial exploitation and abuse.

Mikayla (Mick) Guile of Greenbelt MD, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore MD

Mick graduated from Temple University in 2023 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Mick now attends University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Their work experience includes an internship with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and a summer clerkship with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. Upon graduation, Mick wants to become a public defender, with a future goal of becoming a judge.

Bethany Hartt, of Sunapee NH, University of New Hampshire, Concord, NH

Bethany graduated from Brigham Young University with degrees in Sociology and Spanish. After graduation, she worked at one of New Hampshire’s crisis centers, advocating for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. There, she managed the organization’s confidential shelter and housing program. She also worked with hundreds of individuals and families navigating the legal system in the aftermath of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and harassment. These experiences motivated Bethany to attend law school and understand how the legal system can be reformed, in order to more fully protect victims and survivors

Ariel Khosravipour, of Elbing KS, University of Maryland Carey School of Law, Baltimore MD

Ariel Khosravipour graduated from Wichita State University in 2019, earning a BA in Political Science. After graduation, Ariel gathered legal experience as a paralegal focusing on general litigation and tax law. The most fulfilling work she has been able to do is volunteer for the Midwest Innocence Project, an organization near and dear to her heart. At Maryland Carey School of Law, Ariel plans to focus on their Cybersecurity & Crisis Management program while seeking opportunities to continue volunteering for organizations that help underrepresented communities

Megan Konzen, of Warrensburg, MO; Harvard Law School, Cambridge MA

Megan is a military spouse who has dedicated herself to supporting service members and their families. Her firsthand experience with the inadequate and unsafe military housing conditions faced by service families led her to collaborate with Congress to draft essential reforms. This path ultimately guided her to Harvard Law School, where she aims to merge her passion for law and advocacy with efforts to advocate for service members and their families.

Ilhaam Lakhani, of Glenelg MD; George Washington University Law School, Washington DC

Ilhaam Lakhani graduated from The University of Maryland in 2024 earning her B.S. in Business Management and Government Politics Cum Laude. Before law school, she worked with the Lionheart Foundation to rehabilitate people back into society and at the Howard County State Attorney’s office working with domestic violence victims. She also worked in an Independent Research Seminar to explore how to reform antitrust law with antitrust lawyers.  At GW Law, she hopes to explore how to even out power dynamics between the elite and minority of society.

Emily Ma of Richmond VA; Yale Law School, New Haven CT

Emily Ma graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with a BA in Global Studies and Government. During her time as an undergraduate, she developed an interest in pursuing law after interning at a public defender’s office and a local free legal clinic. After college, Emily worked for two years as a paralegal for the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, where she worked on cases protecting American consumers and workers from anticompetitive practices. Emily is passionate about public service and plans to use her legal degree to help others at a legal aid organization. 

Christa Reed, of Bay St. Louis MS; SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas TX

Over the past six years, I’ve played professional basketball in Europe and Australia. Additionally, through my LLC, MultiFare, I’ve provided affordable basketball training for kids and digital marketing solutions for startups. Looking ahead, I aim to expand my business to support minority communities by addressing accessibility to trust and estate planning services

Abigail Searle of Hershey PA, George Washington University Law School, Washington D.C.

In 2023, I graduated magna cum laude from Arcadia University with a degree in Business Administration. Soon after I graduated, I began working as a Legislative Assistant in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. My work there gave me the ability to directly see the issues that were affecting people in the community every day and routes to enact solutions to those issues. I hope to use the knowledge and experience that I acquire in law school to promote an equitable legal system that advocates for individuals and uplifts society.

Emily Weisser, of Windham ME, University of Maine School of Law, Portland ME

I graduated cum laude from Providence College in 2022 with degrees in English and Women & Gender Studies. During my time there, I gained invaluable insight into the legal system by working as a Victim Advocate and a Probation & Parole intern, where I engaged with the perspectives of both survivors and perpetrators. Moving forward, I aim to continue advocating for survivors and making the legal system more accessible to all.

Emily Wilson, of Mount Pleasant MI, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington IN

Emily graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016, where she majored in accounting. After graduation, Emily became a Certified Public Accountant and worked for a large public accounting firm in Detroit, Michigan for seven years. With her background in accounting and passion for helping others, Emily is interested in pursuing estate law and ultimately opening a solo practice.

Veronica Yabloko, New York City NY, Boston College Law School, Newton MA

Veronica graduated from Swarthmore College in 2022, earning a BA in Comparative Literature and Psychology. After graduating, Veronica spent two years as a paralegal at a litigation firm in New York, where she dedicated much of her time to indigent defense and pro bono cases, while also volunteering as an educator, teaching and supporting Ukrainian students through the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This August, Veronica started at Boston College Law School, where she is excited to sharpen her legal skills and work towards a career in public service. Veronica hopes to dedicate her career to protecting the rights of individuals especially vulnerable in our legal system.

FINALISTS:

• Lawrence Arndt, of Westmont IL, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign IL
• Fiona Beard, of Canton GA, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC
• Leah Bechtold, of Columbia City IN, Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis IN
• Lily Bracy, of Winfield IL, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore MD
• Cassidy Branch, of Tallahassee FL, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee FL
• Casey Brown, of Northbrook Illinois, Undecided
• Camila Cabrera Salazar, of Coram NY, Cardozo School of Law, New York City NY
• Danna Castro Galindo, of Walnut Creek CA, Yale Law School, New Haven CT
• Annalie Cope, of Gainesville FL, George Washington University Law School, Washington DC
• Rainni Crutchfield, of Marion VA, University of Richmond, Richmond VA
• Alejandra de Maar, of Brownsville TX, UC Berkeley School of Law, Berkeley CA
• Maggie DiPierdomenico, of Woodstock CT, Northeastern University School of Law, Boston MA
• Salma Elkilany, of Wayne NJ, Fordham University School of Law, New York City NY
• Natali Foad, of San Bruno CA, UC Law San Francisco, San Francisco CA
• Laney Fox, of Parkland FL, Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta GA
• Arlette Garcia, of Miami FL, University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor MI
• Grant Hershbine, of Huntsville AL, University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa AL
• Hailey Leclerc, of Palo Alto CA, UC Law San Francisco, San Francisco CA
• Suzanne Lara, of Las Vegas NV, William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas NV
• Lauren McLaughlin, of Philadelphia PA, Villanova Charles Widger School of Law, Villanova PA
• Jeanette Ocasio, of Sarasota FL, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Saint Paul MN
• Faith Pilkington, of Ripley TN, Vanderbilt Law School, Nashville TN