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Samantha Melgarejo

I am currently a senior at Rio Mesa High School. I've really fallen in love with the Mexican culture that I grew up surrounded by and I had an opportunity to learn more about it and even be able to help out my community which I am thankful I am able to be a part of.I am getting my experiences and learnings and using them to be a part of something much bigger.

Shealyn Massey

From a young age, I have aspired to use law and politics as a means of serving my community. In learning about the adversities and treatment of immigrants, I became passionate about immigration rights and justice and utilizing my privileges to empower others and amplify unsung voices. With this opportunity, I am excited to advocate for families and learn about the complexities of the immigration system. 

 

Currently, I am a junior at UC Berkeley studying Legal Studies and Public Policy. After, I plan to attend law school and enter a career in law and politics, continuing to serve my communities.

Shay Rivera-Bremner

Hello! I am Shay Rivera Bremner, currently a Junior at Foothill Tech High School. One thing I have always found gratitude in is public service and helping my community. Before the Pandemic, I volunteered at the Swap Meet Justice in Oxnard, and loved seeing people from all walks of life come together to help others. This is when I became enthusiastic about pursuing a career in law and to be an active ally to marginalized groups. I have always been interested in civil rights law, so I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to advocate for others while also getting introduced to immigration law along the way. 

Stacie DeHaro

Currently, I am completing my last semester as a law student at the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law. I also work full-time at a local family law office. Once admitted to the Bar, as a first-generation Mexican-American, I wish to use my own experience and fluency in Spanish to assist Ventura County’s Spanish-speaking only community. My family has suffered through immigration tribulations; therefore, I am hopeful this opportunity at the Law Office of Vanessa Frank will broaden my experience and guide me through ways to assist our Latinx community. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering; I've recently joined a local Legal Observers group to assist with current civil rights protests. I am ecstatic to be a part of such a wonderful and community-driven group!

Michael Paz

My childhood summers were typically spent with grandparents and great grandparents—individuals who immigrated to this country in the 1960s. I distinctly remember asking my family members questions, curious to learn more about how and why they emigrated from their home countries, Mexico and Costa Rica.

 

At the height of the 2016 presidential election, I saw this topic of conversation transition to the national level—and I was bothered by it. This sentiment has persisted throughout the past four years, especially as I learned of how immigrants and refugees are treated not only in the US but also across the world, namely the EU.

 

My goal is to give these individuals a voice and have our leaders recognize the humanity in these individuals, through working in law or politics. I am currently on my gap year; next year I will be attending Yale University, where I will be majoring in Political Science with a concentration in American Government.

The contents of this website do not constitute legal advice.

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The Law Office of Vanessa Frank

143 Figueroa Street
Ventura, CA 93001