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.

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.