Announcing the 2018 Gregoire Fellows
Law students receive support from leading Puget Sound area businesses, organizations, law firms to increase diversity in legal profession
The 红桃视频 is proud to announce the 2018鈥19 Gregoire Fellows: Dayton Campbell-Harris, Jason Grube, Dailey Koga, Quynh La, Ted Lee, Paula Luu, Selena Ng, Mary Anastasia Ruffin and Mackenzie Stewart.
Since 2015, the Gregoire Fellows program has attracted diverse and talented students to 红桃视频 and connected them with leading Puget Sound area businesses, governmental organizations and law firms committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession.
The fellows program is a unique partnership between 红桃视频 and the legal community in Washington that works to ensure the legal profession reflects the incredible diversity in our society, said Mario L. Barnes, Toni Rembe Dean of the UW School of Law.
鈥淎t 红桃视频, we celebrate and embrace diversity in all its forms 鈥 whether life experiences, social background, worldview or professional interests,鈥 Barnes said. 鈥淭he Gregoire Fellows program reflects this commitment to inclusive excellence and helps place our students in the best position to have impact within Washington state and beyond.鈥
As part of the fellows program, students receive paid summer internships, which split their summer work assignments between a placement within a participating law firm, and a corporate legal department or governmental entity after the first year of law school. Students also receive scholarship aid and financial assistance for bar exam preparation. Additionally, the fellows participate in a mentorship program with former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire.
The program is made possible thanks to generous support from our sponsors, Amazon, Davis Wright Tremaine, Foster Pepper, K&L Gates, King County Prosecutor鈥檚 Office, Lane Powell, Littler Mendelson, Microsoft, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, Nintendo, Orrick, Perkins Coie, Seattle Genetics, Starbucks, Stoel Rives, Vulcan, Washington State Attorney General鈥檚 Office, and Weyerhaeuser.
Meet the 2018 Gregoire Fellows
Dayton Campbell-Harris
B.A., History and International Relations, Pacific Lutheran University
Motivated by his undergraduate studies, Campbell-Harris began working with the Low Income Housing Institute as an Advocacy and Program Coordinator shortly after graduation. There he acted as a representative for the organization speaking out at various public forums, advocating for some of Seattle鈥檚 most vulnerable citizens. Behind the scenes, he assisted organizing volunteers for programs servicing LIHI鈥檚 many properties across the Puget Sound region.
鈥淚n an increasingly interconnected and diversifying country, it is essential that the legal profession develop with it,鈥 Campbell-Harris said. 鈥淭he Gregoire Fellows program helps do just that. Assisting in the cultivation of tomorrow鈥檚 leaders, I am excited to continue growing intellectually alongside my peers as we work towards progressing the global common good.鈥
Jason Grube
B.S., Education, Pennsylvania State University
Grube joins the 红桃视频 community after working for a national medical diagnostics laboratory, specializing in providing advanced diagnostics to federally qualified health centers and local health care providers. Before transitioning to the civilian sector, Grube served as an Infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the South Sound tasked with combating homelessness and assisting indigent veterans.
鈥淚 am honored to be a Gregoire Fellow and humbled by the opportunity,鈥 Grube said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with the 2018 Fellows, those who have come before us, and the Gregoire sponsors as we work to better the Seattle legal community by providing our diverse perspectives.鈥
Dailey Koga
B.A., Economics, Pacific University
Koga interned for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), where she researched economic and healthcare issues. She completed her senior thesis on the intersection of gender inequality and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the role women play in helping developing countries reduce extreme poverty. Koga spent the last three years working at a private equity firm in Oregon.
鈥淭he experience I will gain as a Gregoire Fellow will allow me to develop the skills required to be an effective legal advocate, so that upon graduation I can extend my knowledge and assistance to those in need,鈥 Koga said. 鈥淚 am excited about working with legal professionals and fellow students who share the desire to improve society and to diversify an important profession.鈥
Quynh La
B.A., Political Science, New York University聽
M.A., Political Science, New York University
With a concentration in comparative politics, La conducted research on similarities between Turkey and Thailand鈥檚 military coups and their effects on democracy. Before returning to the west coast, she worked in Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP鈥檚 IP department as a Brand Protection Specialist, protecting clients鈥 IP rights through online anti-counterfeiting programs.
鈥淎s a first-generation law student and daughter of Vietnamese refugees, I am honored to have been selected as a Gregoire Fellow,鈥 La said. 鈥淔or me, diversity, justice, and progress go hand in hand, and while I am unsure where my legal career will lead, I know my commitment to those principles will guide my way. As a political science major, I know that one of the main pillars of society is the legal system - the work we do today will set a path for tomorrow. I am excited and honored to be a part of that.鈥
Ted Lee
B.A., cum laude, Political Science, University of Southern California聽
B.S., cum laude, Policy, Planning and Development, University of Southern California
Lee served in the U.S. Marine Corps with a recognition from the Secretary of the Navy for his meritorious service. Lee鈥檚 time with the U.S. Attorney鈥檚 Office for the Central District of California cultivated his passion in advocating for equitable public policies, and he hopes to serve as a legal counsel for government agencies in the future.
鈥淐hanging the world starts with effecting progress that later prompts other positive changes,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淪tarting that journey requires prioritizing focus and talents to issues that I am most capable of solving, and the fellowship is excellently structured for that purpose. The internships will provide experiences to test my abilities and interests, and the mentorship sessions with Gov. Gregoire will allow time and space to learn about the real-life implications of leadership in solving social challenges.鈥
Paula Luu
B.A., with honors, Political Science, University of Washington
Luu worked for the Washington State Bar Association as a regulatory analyst where she audited lawyers and educational providers to ensure their compliance with mandatory continuing legal education requirements. She discovered her desire to attend law school as an undergraduate while working for Student Legal Services, an on-campus law office that exclusively serves UW students. She is originally from Renton and hopes to stay and practice in the greater Seattle area.
鈥淎s an underrepresented minority, I feel it is my responsibility to advocate for other individuals who aspire to break into this profession which has historically struggled to keep pace with the growing diversity in our community,鈥 Luu said. 鈥淚 plan to use the connections and skills gained from this incredible experience to demonstrate how diversity is essential at all levels of the profession and that we can accomplish more when the people working within it more accurately reflect the population we serve.鈥
Selena Ng
B.S., Business Administration, University of Southern California
Ng worked at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, LLP in Los Angeles as a civil litigation clerk where she specialized in employing e-discovery software to facilitate pre-trial procedures. She assisted partners in navigating each stage of the litigation process, from reviewing discovery documents to assembling materials for alternative dispute resolution. Throughout college, she interned at entertainment companies, including NBC Universal and Sony Music, working in music licensing and marketing.
鈥淎s the daughter of a small-business owner, I am dedicated to utilizing the experience I gain as a Gregoire Fellow to transform the entrepreneurial landscape,鈥 Ng said. 鈥淚 believe in harnessing the power of businesses to solve our most pressing social issues, like climate change and income inequality. By working with legal professionals representing social enterprises, I hope to learn from their expertise and apply this knowledge to help businesses navigate the laws governing socially-driven organizations.鈥
Mary Anastasia Ruffin
B.A.,Political Science and Law, Societies and Justice, University of Washington
At the University of Washington, Ruffin served as a Senator for ASUW and aided in diversity efforts on campus. Ruffin continued her work in advocacy at King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and has successfully advocated for government funding on behalf of formally homeless residents in Seattle. Recently, she partnered with other leaders in her community to form a coalition aimed at empowering marginalized groups.
鈥淭he opportunity to represent my community as a Gregoire Fellow is an absolute privilege,鈥 Ruffin said. 鈥淚 am tremendously enthusiastic about the prospect of gaining the experience, relationships and mentorship critical to my legal career. The need for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession is paramount now more than ever and I am eager to be a part the solution.鈥
Mackenzie Stewart
B.A., magna cum laude, Anthropology and International Studies, University of Kentucky
Stewart joins the University of Washington Law community after her work in the Holly Park neighborhood of Seattle to support Immigrant and Refugee Youth. In her role, she served as community connector, connecting resources to the people who need them most. Her work built bonds between students, volunteers, and community partners to increase community ownership and sustainability.
鈥淚 am inspired by the Gregoire Fellows program鈥檚 commitment to adding a diversity of voices in our legal community and I hope to use my legal practice to advocate and empower others to do the same,鈥 Stewart said.