Lori LaPray Scholarship

The legal profession carries immense responsibility because attorneys are entrusted not only with advocating for clients, but also with protecting the integrity of the justice system itself. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct recognize that ethical lawyering requires more than simply winning cases. It requires honesty, accountability, fairness, confidentiality, competence, and respect for the dignity of others. As someone whose life has been directly impacted by poverty, addiction, domestic violence, and the criminal legal system, I understand how deeply legal systems affect real people and families. These experiences have shaped my belief that the law should be practiced with both integrity and humanity. Through my academic and professional experiences, I have worked closely with justice impacted individuals navigating barriers related to housing, education, reentry, and stigma. As a peer navigator and overnight case manager, I have learned that advocacy is most effective when it is grounded in trust, transparency, and ethical responsibility. People often come to systems in moments of vulnerability, and professionals hold significant power in shaping outcomes. Because of this, I plan to approach legal practice with a strong commitment to honesty and ethical decision making, even in situations where doing so may be difficult or unpopular. Zealous advocacy is an important duty of attorneys, but I believe it becomes dangerous when the pursuit of victory outweighs truth, fairness, or respect for the legal process. Advocacy should never involve misleading courts, exploiting vulnerable individuals, intentionally escalating harm, or using unethical tactics simply because they may benefit a client in the short term. Attorneys can advocate fiercely while still maintaining professionalism and integrity. To me, the line is crossed when advocacy prioritizes winning over justice or creates harm that undermines public trust in the legal system. I plan to navigate this boundary by remaining grounded in ethical rules, seeking mentorship and accountability, and continuously reflecting on the broader impact my decisions have on individuals and communities. My commitment to ethics is also deeply connected to my commitment to diversity and inclusion within the legal field. Many marginalized communities experience the legal system as inaccessible, intimidating, or discriminatory. I know firsthand how representation, support, and advocacy can change the trajectory of someone’s life. Throughout my time at the University of Washington Tacoma, I have worked to support underrepresented and justice impacted students through leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. As president of the Formerly Incarcerated Student Association and through my work with Husky Post Prison Pathways, I have helped create spaces where students impacted by incarceration feel seen, supported, and capable of succeeding in higher education. In the future, I hope to continue contributing to underrepresented communities through legal advocacy, mentorship, and policy reform work focused on expanding access to education, legal resources, and equitable opportunities. As I begin my legal education at Vermont Law and Graduate School, I intend to carry forward the belief that ethical lawyering is not separate from diversity and inclusion efforts, but essential to them. Integrity, fairness, and accountability help create legal systems where all people, especially those historically marginalized, are treated with dignity and respect. I hope to become an attorney who not only advocates effectively, but also helps build trust in systems that too often fail the communities most impacted by injustice.