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Andrew Farias

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Politics and Political Science
  • Public Policy
  • Public Speaking
  • Advocacy And Activism

Reading

  • History
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Leadership

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hello! My name is Andrew and I am from Houston, Texas, but have found a home in Lincoln, Nebraska where I am a J.D. Candidate and Public Interest Scholar at the University of Nebraska College of Law. I am incredibly passionate about promoting justice and sustainability within legislative policies to ensure an equitable future for generations yet to come. After graduating from Carleton College in 2021, I spent a year as a Weitz Fellow with Nebraska Appleseed, where I fought for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans within the areas of affordable healthcare, raising the minimum wage, and housing justice for all. The following year I began working as the Lobby and Policy Fellow at the Asian Community and Cultural Center. My work revolved around lobbying for legislation that empowers all immigrants and refugees in Nebraska, while also encouraging directly impacted individuals to share their stories with elected officials. I previously clerked with the ACLU of Nebraska, where I researched policing policies, drafted memos related to immigration enforcement, and supported incarcerated individuals navigating administrative processes. I am currently a law clerk with Legal Aid of Nebraska, where as a senior certified law student I support survivors of domestic violence filing for divorce, represent renters going through the eviction process, and conduct legal research. After I graduate from law school I hope to continue serving Nebraska communities as a public interest law attorney representing low-income clients. In my free time I love volunteering with Lincoln nonprofits!

Education

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2024 – 2027

Majors:
  • Law

Carleton College

Bachelor's degree program

2017 – 2021

Majors:
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
  • Political Science and Government

The Energy Institute High School

High School

2013 – 2017

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Food and Environmental Justice Fellow

    Civic & Social Organization · Carleton College Center for Community and Civic Engagement

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2021

  • Sustainability Assistant

    Environmental Services · Carleton College Sustainability Office

    Jan 2018 – Jan 2021

  • Law Clerk

    Law Practice · ACLU of Nebraska

    Jan 2025 – Jan 2025

  • Community Organizer

    Civic & Social Organization · Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

  • Lobby and Policy Fellow

    Public Policy · Asian Community and Cultural Center

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2024

  • Law Clerk

    Law Practice · Legal Aid of Nebraska

    Jan 2026 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Law Practice
Dream career goals:
Public Interest Law Attorney and Community Advocate
Work experience:
3 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Joe Gilroy "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan" Scholarship
I have many goals in life, but my primary career goals include becoming an attorney, working for a legal aid nonprofit organization, and advocating for policies that support low-income communities. I have already been able to chip away at each of these by being a third-year law student and clerking with nonprofit organizations. I was once again reminded of why I chose this career path when I worked with Legal Aid of Nebraska this summer, where I supported survivors of domestic violence filing for divorce, represented renters going through the eviction process, and conducted legal research for juvenile clients. But in order for me to achieve my dream of being the first in my family to become a lawyer, I first need to be able to pass the bar exam. While I am not exactly thrilled at the requirement to take a two-day exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions and six lengthy essays, I understand it is necessary to assess my legal knowledge and make sure I am prepared to practice in the court of law. Before I can even get to the point of sitting down for this 12-hour test, there are several steps along the way to get me there. First comes the Multi-State Professional Exam, which costs $185 to register for. It’s recommended that students study at least two-weeks ahead of time to make sure I am well-versed in legal ethics and conduct when interacting with clients. After passing the MPRE with a score of 85, then I can begin applying for the bar exam. There is a $149 technology fee that supports the cost of technical support, which is separate from the $100 laptop fee to take the exam on my computer. Plus a $30 fee to get my fingerprints taken by the Nebraska Highway Patrol. And then the bar exam itself of course, which costs $515. Once I have paid all of these expenses, it is finally time to study for the bar exam! Online prep courses typically range from about $2,000 to over $4,000 depending on the provider, like Barbri or Themis. But as a future public interest attorney, I may qualify for a bar prep scholarship that will bring the cost to $1,895. In speaking with recent graduates, I have learned that preparing to take the bar exam requires treating studying like a full-time job. This means I will not be working from early May through the end of July, and even if I do immediately go back to work, I would not have a steady paycheck until mid- to late-August. I have budgeted out four months of living expenses to cover the cost of rent, food, transportation, and bills. My bare-minimum monthly living expenses would be $1,723, meaning I would need to set aside $6,892 during the four months I am not working because of the bar. All-in-all, I will need at least $9,766 to take the bar exam, which will likely come in the form of loans if I do not secure scholarships to bridge this gap. With that being said, I have planned my work, and now it is time for me to work my plan. I am optimistic that I can reach my long-term goals of becoming an attorney and helping underrepresented clients navigate the justice system. I know that along the way I will struggle as I navigate financial barriers and face setbacks. But I have personally lived by the motto, “If you believe, you can achieve.” And I do believe that I can achieve what I have set out to accomplish.
Future Nonprofit Leaders Award
Before I knew I wanted to become an attorney, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to serving communities that too often go unheard. My experiences in the nonprofit sector have shown me that meaningful change does not begin in courtrooms or legislative chambers alone, but rather it begins by building trust with people, listening to their lived experiences, and ensuring they have the tools and confidence to advocate for themselves. That belief has shaped every step of my career and continues to fuel my commitment to nonprofit, public interest law. My first experience with nonprofit advocacy came as a Community Organizer with the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest. During my fellowship, I worked alongside community members and organizations to advance affordable healthcare, housing justice, and living wages for Nebraskans. While I gained valuable experience organizing campaigns and advocating for policy change, I also discovered that the most meaningful part of the work was building relationships with people whose lived experiences deserved to shape the policies affecting their lives. That lesson became even more meaningful the following year in my role as the Lobby and Policy Fellow with another Nebraska-based nonprofit, the Asian Community and Cultural Center. There, I advocated for legislation supporting immigrants and refugees while preparing first-time testifiers to share their personal stories before the Nebraska Legislature. Together, we supported legislation that established a Commission on Asian American Affairs, expanded driver's license eligibility for Ukrainian refugees, and advocated for reimbursements for language interpreters at medical appointments. This instilled in me the goal of creating a positive impact on marginalized communities by uplifting their voices and equipping them with advocacy skills for self-empowerment. Entering law school, I knew I wanted to build on that foundation through a career in nonprofit legal advocacy. During my first summer, I clerked with the ACLU of Nebraska, where I researched policing policies, drafted legal memoranda on immigration enforcement, and supported incarcerated individuals navigating administrative processes. Today, as a senior certified law student with Legal Aid of Nebraska, I assist survivors of domestic violence pursuing divorces, represent tenants facing eviction, and conduct legal research involving family and juvenile law. These experiences have shown me the profound difference that accessible legal representation can make during some of the most difficult moments in a person's life. Additionally, my commitment to nonprofit work extends beyond my professional experiences. I volunteer my time on the boards of organizations dedicated to civic engagement, LGBTQ+ rights, and honoring veterans because I believe public service is so much more than a career and instead should be a part of our everyday lives. These opportunities allow me to continue supporting my local community in Lincoln through advocacy, education, and celebration while remaining connected to the people and causes that inspire my work every day. As a future public interest attorney, I hope to combine direct legal services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy to create a lasting positive impact. I want to ensure that everyday people have access to legal representation while advancing policies that remove barriers for historically marginalized communities. Every nonprofit organization I have served has reinforced the lesson that meaningful change is created when communities are empowered and given the opportunity to lead. The nonprofit sector has transformed the way I understand justice. It has taught me that real progress is built through collaboration, compassion, and a willingness to stand beside others as they advocate for themselves. I intend to spend my nonprofit career using the law to amplify marginalized voices, expand access to justice, and help build a more equitable future for all Nebraskans.
Jimmy Chong Scholarship
As a child and grandchild of immigrants, I watched as the intersectionality of immigration statuses, language barriers, lack of educational opportunities, and limited career prospects challenged many of my family members in their pursuit of the American Dream. Their experiences taught me that behind every legal issue is a person trying to build a better life for themselves and future generations. I also came to understand that laws, policies, and regulations can either reinforce those barriers or help dismantle them. That realization inspired me to pursue a legal career, not only to advocate for individual clients, but to help ensure the legal system is one that all people can openly trust and equally access. My legal professions course emphasized how the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct are vital in guiding us as effective lawyers who are trusted stewards of the legal system. I intend to integrate ethical principles throughout my legal career by ensuring that my clients understand their legal options, have agency in the decisions that affect their lives, and feel supported with community resources beyond the conclusion of their legal issue. Zealous advocacy requires pursuing every lawful and ethical avenue on behalf of a client, but it never justifies sacrificing integrity, fairness, or responsibility to the justice system. I believe zealous advocacy begins to compromise integrity when the emphasis on winning becomes more important than the outcome of justice. Attorneys risk crossing that boundary when they misrepresent facts, weaponize procedures to delay litigation, or intentionally obstruct the free flow of information. Sec. Nat'l Bank of Sioux City v. Abbott Labs., 299 F.R.D. 595. To avoid this, I will always advocate zealously for my clients while being honest with them if a desired outcome is not legally or ethically possible. I intend to remain candid with the court and opposing counsel because as an attorney, my reputation is everything. Maintaining that honesty builds trust, not only with clients, but with the public’s perceptions of the justice system as a whole. This philosophy has guided my work long before law school. At the Asian Community and Cultural Center, I helped establish the organization's policy and legislative advocacy program. Rather than speaking on behalf of immigrants and refugees, I worked to empower directly impacted community members to tell their own stories before the Nebraska Legislature. I prepared first-time testifiers, connected advocates with lawmakers, and helped advance legislation that expanded opportunity for underserved Nebraskans. Among these efforts, I helped create the Nebraska Commission on Asian American Affairs to ensure that more than 70,000 Asian Americans have a permanent voice in state government. I also supported legislation benefiting Ukrainian refugees, workers in Nebraska's meatpacking industry, and language access in healthcare. My commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond legislative advocacy. As President of the Latino Law Students Association, Multicultural Legal Society, and OUTLaw at Nebraska Law, I have helped to create welcoming spaces for students whose identities have historically been underrepresented in the legal profession. This includes mentoring first-year BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students and bringing alumni back to campus so we have examples of where we will be one day. Looking ahead, I hope to continue this work by helping establish mentorship opportunities through Nebraska's LGBTQ+ and Hispanic bar associations so future law students and young attorneys can see themselves reflected in the profession. Ultimately, I believe that ethical lawyers strengthen public trust in the legal system while still zealously advocating for their clients. As an attorney, I will always remember where I come from, and maintain integrity as I continue my advocacy and support for underrepresented communities.
Andrew Farias Student Profile | Bold.org