The HBALEF IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE 2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! We couldn't be prouder of (or more impressed by) these aspiring Latino lawyers and we are looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments at our 33rd Annual Scholarship Banquet!
Ashley Andino
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (Class of 2025)
Ashley Andino was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. She attended the University of Connecticut, where she graduated in three years and later pursued a business career. Ashley is now a second-year law student at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, where she is pursuing her passions within the intersections of Technology, Business, and Law. She looks forward to increasing Hispanic representation in the legal field and becoming a dynamic advocate for economic empowerment and social change.
Joan Fernandez
Temple University Beasley School of Law (Class of 2024)
Joan Fernandez is a third-year law student at Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he is a Rubin-Presser Social Justice Fellow and Law and Public Policy Scholar. For several years before law school, he represented asylum seekers and asylees in their immigration proceedings as an Immigrant Justice Corps Community Fellow and U.S. Department of Justice Fully Accredited Representative. Since starting law school, Joan has continued to develop his legal skills by interning at the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), the Philadelphia Immigration Court, and Post & Schell, P.C. At Temple, he has served as a student attorney in a worker's rights clinic, Articles Editor for the Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Society, Co-Chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Human Rights of the Temple Law Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Portuguese language team volunteer for Respond: Crisis Translation, and member of the Latinx American Law Student Association. Joan is excited to join the growing HBAPA/LEF familia!
Kate Isidro
Rutgers Law School - Camden (Class of 2025)
Kate E. Isidro, from Atlantic City, New Jersey is a first-generation college graduate and now law student at Rutgers Law School–Camden. Kate is currently a 2L with legal interests in criminal law, immigration, and product liability. She is involved with pro-bono tax preparation, will and estate planning, and domestic violence orders. Lastly, Kate is the Vice President of the Latin American Law Student Alliance (ALIANZA) and a member of the Minority Student Program (MSP) at Rutgers Law, hoping to advance the interests of the Hispanic and Latinx community.
Saul Molina
Rutgers Law School - Camden (Class of 2024)
Saul Molina, currently a 3L evening student at Rutgers Law - Camden, balances his studies with a full-time role as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Hailing from the border town of El Paso, Texas, Saul broke barriers in his family by becoming a first-generation student and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Penn State University in 2020. Recently, he's been active as a staff editor for the Rutgers Law Journal of Law and Public Policy and as Treasurer for the Rutgers Law Latin American Law Student Alliance (Alianza). Drawing from his experiences and interests, Saul is passionate about pursuing a career in litigation, with a focus on complex civil cases, driven by a desire to champion justice and uphold individual rights.
Amber Paulino
Penn State Dickinson Law (Class of 2025)
Amber Paulino is a second-year law student at Penn State Dickinson Law, where she is President of the American Constitution Society, President of the Latinx Law Students Association and PSU Senator for Dickinson Law's Student Bar Association chapter. Prior to attending Penn State Dickinson Law, Amber worked in Congress and has since returned to work as a Legal Fellow in the House of Representatives, where she hopes to return after graduation. As a first-generation law student of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, Amber enjoys staying connected to Hispanic music, food, culture, and her family.
Isaac Santiago
Widener University Delaware School of Law (Class of 2023)
Isaac Wilson Santiago is a third year-evening division student at Widener University Delaware Law School. He was born and raised in the City of Philadelphia, and he is the product of two first-generation Puerto Rican families. Isaac is graduating from law school in December and will be sitting for the Pennsylvania Bar in February 2024. His legal areas of interest consist of criminal prosecution and defense, mergers and acquisitions, labor and employment, and contract law.
Mark Saucedo
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law (Class of 2024)
Mark Saucedo is a 3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. His legal interests include business law, health law, and data privacy/cybersecurity. As he continues his journey as a legal professional, Mark strives to achieve results for the individuals he serves and will proceed to advocate on behalf of the Latinx community.
Gabriella Villafan
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law (Class of 2024)
Gabriella Villafan is a Bolivian and Salvadoran 3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. She is interested in working in IP/tech law, immigration law and criminal law. Gabriella is incredibly grateful for the HBALEF, and looks forward to passing along the lessons she has learned about mentorship and community as she continues growing in the legal field.
Judge Nelson Díaz Scholarship Recipient
Andrea Solís Canto
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (Class of 2025)
Andrea Solís Canto is part of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Class of 2025. At Villanova Law, Andrea is a Public Interest Scholar and is pursuing a career in public interest and immigration law. Andrea spent this past summer as a law clerk with Centro de los Derechos del Migrante in Mexico City, Mexico where she advocated for migrant workers’ rights in the U.S. She is excited to be back in Philadelphia to continue her studies and is spending her fall semester with the ACLU of PA’s Immigrants’ Rights team.