The 2025 recipient was Yasmin Morales, a law student at American University Washington College of Law. 

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Personal Essay on her experience as a Legal Intern at Volare.

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I am honored to have been selected as the 2025 WBA Foundation Founders Fellow and to have served with the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project (DV LEAP) at Volare. This fellowship gave me the opportunity to dedicate my summer to advancing justice for women and girls, building on the work I began years ago as an advocate for survivors of crime.

My path toward this work began long before law school. As the eldest daughter in an immigrant household, I became the bridge between my parents and the world around us—translating, helping my parents prepare for their naturalization process, and advocating for my siblings when their voices were not heard. At the same time, I experienced injustice as a girl, moments that showed me how isolating and disempowering it can be when systems fail to protect those most in need. These experiences shaped my resilience, instilled a deep sense of justice, and inspired my commitment to stand alongside others—especially women and girls—in their pursuit of dignity and safety. They also laid the foundation for me becoming the first in my family to graduate from college, and now, to pursue becoming the first attorney in my family.

Before law school, I worked in community-based advocacy supporting survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and gun violence. I helped clients connect to services, navigate complex systems, and define justice on their own terms—whether that meant safety, stability, or simply being heard. Those lessons in compassion, strategy, and collaboration became central to the work I carried into my fellowship.

At DV LEAP, my primary responsibilities included reviewing trial court records, conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, and supporting the appellate process alongside pro bono partners. One key project examined the definition of ‘family’ under the Intrafamily Offenses Act. In many communities, particularly communities of color, family structures often include grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other caregivers, yet the Act’s narrow definition excludes these configurations, leaving many survivors without protection. My research identified these gaps and helped chart a path for appellate advocacy to ensure legal protections extend to survivors within these less traditional family structures.

While most of my work involved analyzing trial court decisions for appellate filings, one distinct project required quickly assisting a survivor with an emergency appellate filing in a complex agency matter without legal representation. Her resilience under immense pressure was remarkable, and supporting her successfully relied on careful attention to detail and close collaboration with the team. 

Throughout my internship, I had the privilege of collaborating with an extraordinary team. Sasha Drobnick, Appellate Litigation Director, and Alex Scott, Senior Staff Attorney, modeled rigorous, survivor-centered advocacy and encouraged me to contribute my perspectives in meaningful ways. Their guidance strengthened my legal reasoning and deepened my understanding of how appellate strategy can shape systemic change. I was also fortunate to work alongside my co-intern, Rayne Herrington, whose insight and support made our collaboration both productive and inspiring. Working in such a knowledgeable and engaged environment reinforced the value of teamwork in public interest law, particularly when addressing complex issues like domestic violence and systemic inequities.

Another essential aspect of my internship was engaging with pro bono attorneys and community partners. These collaborations allowed me to contribute to strategies that recognized the realities of abuse and prioritized trauma-informed advocacy. Drawing on my prior advocacy experience, I helped bridge the gap between legal processes and the communities they serve. These conversations reinforced my belief that systemic change requires not only legal knowledge but also empathy, cultural awareness, and a commitment to centering survivor voices at every stage.

This fellowship highlighted the critical importance of trauma-informed legal care, particularly for women and girls, as courts often overlook the complexities they face, leaving many without protection. Through my work at DV LEAP, I contributed to efforts to address these gaps and help establish legal precedents that reflect the full spectrum of survivors’ experiences. This experience demonstrated how appellate advocacy can extend beyond individual cases to drive systemic reform and promote equity for historically marginalized families.

My time at DV LEAP also underscored the emotional and human dimensions of legal work. Working with survivors—through both their cases and the broader systemic issues they face—emphasized the importance of compassion in legal practice. My prior work as an advocate provided a foundation for approaching these cases with care and perspective, while DV LEAP strengthened my ability to translate that compassion into strategic, effective legal arguments.

This fellowship reinforced the power of collaboration, particularly within a woman-led, all-women team. From team discussions to co-intern partnerships, every project demonstrated that effective advocacy is enriched by diverse perspectives. Mentorship from Sasha and Alex, combined with daily collaboration with Rayne, highlighted the importance of dialogue, critical thinking, and mutual support in advancing justice. Working alongside this woman-led, all-women team, I saw firsthand how coordinated effort is essential to address systemic gaps in the law and ensure that survivors’ voices—especially those of women and girls—are heard at every level.

As a first-generation law student, this fellowship has been particularly meaningful. Being the first in my family to graduate college, I have faced financial and systemic challenges throughout my educational journey. The WBA Foundation Founders Fellowship not only allowed me to focus fully on meaningful, hands-on legal work without financial burden, but it also connected me to a network of women attorneys and advocates committed to advancing justice for women and girls. This support has been invaluable in shaping my growth as a legal professional and in reinforcing my commitment to public interest law.

Through this experience, I have seen firsthand how the law can both fail and protect survivors. I have learned that appellate advocacy, when guided by careful analysis, empathy, and collaboration, can shift legal standards toward greater equity and care. This summer has strengthened my commitment to a career in public interest law, grounded in trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy. I am inspired to continue challenging unjust legal standards, advancing systemic reforms, and ensuring that the law protects all families, particularly women and girls historically overlooked.

Looking back, I see a clear thread from my earliest role as my family’s advocate, to my community-based work with survivors, to my summer at DV LEAP. Each step has sharpened my skills and strengthened my commitment to equity. Looking ahead, I carry forward the values this fellowship reinforced: compassion, resilience, collaboration, and the belief that the law must serve those who need its protection most. I am profoundly grateful to the WBA Foundation for supporting my journey and for its mission of advancing justice for women and girls.