The Academic Success Fellows Programs

Alienor is a third-year student from San Diego. She received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights and Migration from UCSD. At USD, she is a member of the San Diego Journal of Climate and Energy Law. Alienor was a judicial extern for the Honorable Jill Burkhardt at the District Court for the Southern District of California and worked at the Volunteer Lawyer Program’s Record Relief unit, helping survivors of human trafficking. Alienor is interested in pursuing a career in criminal prosecution. In her free time, she enjoys reading, and tidepooling.

Devin is a second-year student originally from Boston, MA. They received a B.A. in History and Music from Kenyon College. Before law school, they were a middle-school civics teacher. This past summer, they were an intern on the Gender Sexualtiy and Reproductive Justice team at ACLU SoCal and will be interning for the San Diego Office of the Public Defender this fall. At USD, they are involved in Pride Law and the Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic. Devin loves hiking, biking, baking, and playing cozy video games in their spare time.

Bella Borgomini is a second-year student from Carmel, California. She earned her double bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, studying Politics, Philosophy and Law, as well as Cinema and Media Studies. At USD, she is a competitor with the Negotiation Team of ADR, a member of the Women’s Law Caucus, and Sports and Entertainment Law Society. She spent her 1L summer working at a film production company in Beverly Hills. In her free time Bella also teaches yoga and loves to read, travel, and enjoy time with family and friends.

Gillian is a second-year law student from Las Vegas, Nevada. She earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from San Diego State University, graduating summa cum laude. At USD, she serves as Vice President of the Criminal Law Society. During her 1L summer, Gillian worked as a certified legal intern with the San Diego County Public Defender's Office, where she developed a strong interest in criminal defense. After law school, she hopes to become a public defender. In her free time, Gillian enjoys shopping, taking workout classes, and spending time with friends.

Valentina is a second-year law student from San Diego, California. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Law from the University of California, San Diego. Before enrolling at USD Law, she gained two years of hands-on legal experience as a legal intern at San Diego criminal law firms. Valentina continued her work with San Diego criminal defense attorneys during her 1L summer. In her free time, Valentina enjoys spending time with her dog, relaxing at the beach, and going to concerts.

Ava is a second-year law student from Huntington Beach, California. She double-majored in Criminology and French Language at Texas Christian University. At USD, she is an associate editor of the San Diego International Law Journal and a member of the USD Moot Court team. During her 1L summer, Ava worked at the San Diego Department of Child Support Services, where she enjoyed learning about family law. Next summer, she will be joining Greenberg Traurig as a 2027 2L Summer Associate. In her free time, Ava enjoys trying new restaurants, going to yoga classes, and spending time with friends and family.

Michelle is a third-year law student from Calexico, California. She received her B.A. in Political Science with Honors from the University of California, San Diego, where she worked at the U.S. Immigration Policy Center. At USD, she serves as a student ambassador for Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) and works as a Research Assistant for Professor Caley Petrucci. After graduation, Michelle hopes to pursue a career in corporate transactional law. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time with friends and family, watching reality television, and following fashion and style.

Sophia is a third-year student from San Diego, CA. She earned her B.S. in Strategic Communication, with minors in Business and Spanish, from Texas Christian University. At USD, she is a member of the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM) and the San Diego Law Review. Sophia worked at a civil litigation firm and Foley & Lardner as a 2026 summer associate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing at the beach.

Megan (she/her) is a third-year Juris Doctor candidate from Rancho Cucamonga, California. She earned her B.A. in Sociology/Law & Society, with a minor in Political Science, from UC Riverside. During her 1L summer and 2L spring, Megan interned with the San Diego County Public Defender. In her 2L summer, she rotated through the Litigation, Advisory, and Juvenile Dependency divisions at San Diego County Counsel. Megan is actively involved in USD’s student organizations, serving as Co-President of Pride Law, Internal Secretary of APALSA, and Treasurer of FALS. In her free time, Megan enjoys hosting friends, attending festivals, and playing volleyball.

Megan is a third year law student from San Francisco. In undergrad, she played volleyball for WashU in St. Louis, and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Brain Sciences and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a minor in Legal Studies. In the fall of her 1L year, Megan volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego in the Restraining Order Clinic and spent her 1L summer as a clerk at Fisher Phillips. During her 2L, she externed for the Honorable Judge Jill L. Burkhardt and was a certified legal intern at the California Attorney General's Office in the Criminal Division's Appeals, Writs, and Trial section. Megan spent her 2L summer as a summer associate at Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher and will be returning to Gibson post-bar. In her free time Megan likes to play volleyball, go to the beach, and hang out with her two dachshunds.

Claire is a third-year law student from Lafayette, California. She received her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology and an honors minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. During her 1L summer, she worked at a civil litigation firm. During her 2L summer, she clerked for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, where she will return for a post-bar position. She has also volunteered for Legal Aid Society of San Diego. At USD, she is on the executive board of the Public Interest Law Foundation and a member of the Transgender Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic. Outside of law school, she enjoys going to hockey games, the zoo, or exploring San Diego’s bookstores.

Lily is a third-year law student from Granite Bay, California. She received her B.A. Sociology with minors in political science, philosophy, and law and society from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During her 1L summer, she worked as a judicial extern at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and as a research assistant for Professor Shawn Miller. Lily is an associate editor of the San Diego International Law Journal and an associate member of the USD Appellate Moot Court Board. Lily joined Cooley’s Business Litigation practice as a 2026 2L summer associate, where she is excited to pursue a career in complex civil litigation. In her free time, Lily enjoys exploring San Diego beaches and restaurants, running and hot yoga, and spending time with friends.

Olivia is a 3L from San Ramon, California. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies. In her 2L year, Olivia interned at the USD Women's Clinic and served on the Journal of Climate and Energy Law. She currently works as a law clerk at Underwood Law Firm P.C. working on cases involving partitions. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Sydney is a second-year student from Orange County, California. She received baccalaureate honors when she earned her B.A. from the University of Washington, double majoring in Political Science and Law, Societies, and Justice. At USD Law, she is an Associate Member of Moot Court and serves on the executive boards of Women's Law Caucus and Christian Legal Society. This past summer, she externed for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District, and will be spending her 2L summer at Gibson Dunn in Orange County as a summer associate. In her free time, she loves to sing, play guitar, work out, and read in the sunshine.

Ty is a third-year student from Los Angeles, California. He received his B.A. in Education/ Human Development and French Language & Culture from UC Riverside. Prior to law school, Ty worked as an elementary school teacher and received his M.S. in Education and Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. Ty has served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux in the Central District and worked as a law clerk for Cozen O’Connor. At USD, Ty is actively involved with Moot Court, International Law Journal, PrideLaw and SBA. In his free time, Ty enjoys playing dodgeball, yoga, and spending time with his dog.