2025 APIL Fellowship Recipients
Congratulations, Othmer Award and APIL Fellowship Recipients!
The Association for Public Interest Law (“APIL”) celebrates the recipient of the 2025Othmer Award, as well as the recipients of seven summer fellowships which were funded by generous contributions from Singleton Schreiber, LLP and Brian Colón; Dean Peter Winograd; Equal Access to Justice, Inc.; Feliz Rael; Smith and Marjanovic; Soto Law Office; New Mexico State Bar Public Law Section; Sheila Brown; the ACLU of New Mexico; support from former APIL officers and scholarship recipients; small-dollar contributions from the community; and donations from local businesses, including High and Dry Brewing, New Mexico United, Santa Fe Brewing, and Stone Age Climbing Gym, which contributed raffle items and donated proceeds to boost fundraising efforts.
Cam Rosenberg received the Othmer Award that supported their summer at the Federal Defender Office for the District of New Mexico
“Over the summer, I had the privilege of serving as an intern at the Federal Defender Office for the District of New Mexico, where I drafted motions and conducted legal research to support ongoing cases. This experience built upon my prior work evaluating jail and prison conditions, diversion programs, and rehabilitation policies—work that first inspired my commitment to serving individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. My experience with the Federal Defender Office provided invaluable exposure to criminal defense practice and deepened my understanding of how advocacy can advance equity and justice. I am deeply grateful to the Othmer Award for making this opportunity possible and for enabling me to continue developing as a dedicated advocate for those most affected by the criminal legal system”
Cam and APIL extend their deepest thanks to Sheila Brown and the Public Law Section of the State Bar for their continuing support of this important award.
August Ryan received an APIL fellowship that supported his summer at the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project
I spent my summer with the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project supporting their staff attorneys in civil rights litigation on behalf of prisoners in New Mexico. This summer provided me with some real-world litigation experience including the opportunity to attend hearings, meet civil rights attorneys, and directly interact with clients at a small non-profit firm. Overall, the support of APIL and their sponsors provided me with a resoundingly positive experience that I will use to guide me through the remainder of my law school career and into practice.
August and APIL extend their deepest thanks to Smith & Marjonovic, LLC for supporting this award.
Cassandra Luna received an APIL fellowship that supported her summer at the State Ethics Commission
“This summer I worked at the State Ethics Commission where I was able to work on various complaints and litigation involving campaign and lobbying finance. I enjoyed this work as the State Ethics Commission ensures that politicians, government agencies, and government actors are in compliance with the laws of New Mexico. The generous donation from the ACLU of New Mexico allowed me to participate in this work without having to worry about my finances during my externship. Without it I would have been unable to learn from a government agency who is doing great work for my state."
Cassie and APIL extend their deepest thanks to ACLU of NM and Public Law Section of the State Bar for their generous donation.
Jimmy Herndon received an APIL Fellowship to support their work at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
“I express my deep and profound gratitude to have been a recipient of the APIL Fellowship Award from Equal Access to Justice, Inc. (EAJ-NM). Words cannot begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for the support of EAJ-NM and for their believing in me as I set out on my legal journey to pursue a career path directed towards the protection of not only statutorily-granted civil rights, but of the innate and continuously evolving set of human rights imbued to all individuals who call our beautiful planet home—especially those who are crestfallen for having been denigrated or marginalized for their status, beliefs, identities, or any combination thereof. EAJ-NM's contribution inspires hope for a better future where all are given the dignity they deserve and none are put down with arbitrariness. I end with a quote from Lt. Cmdr. Data, Operations Officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D: ‘It is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are. It does not matter that we will not reach our ultimate goal. The effort itself yields its own reward.’”
Jimmy and APIL extend their deepest thanks to Heather Norfleet and EAJ-NM for their generous support and ongoing support of this important award.
Kaitlyn Urenda Harrison received an APIL Fellowship which supported her work at the NM Legal Aid Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
“During the summer, I worked at the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, representing and supporting low-income taxpayers navigating IRS disputes, including offers in compromise, federal tax liens, and the correction of fraudulently prepared returns. Many of our clients were first-time filers, immigrants, or individuals facing severe financial hardship, and the work required both technical precision and deep client-centered advocacy. The support of the APIL Scholarship—made possible by Dean Emeritus Winograd & Brian Colon of Singelton Schrieber—was essential to my ability to pursue this work without financial strain. Their investment allowed me to focus fully on serving vulnerable communities and reinforced my commitment to a career in public interest law grounded in equity, dignity, and access to justice.”
Kaitlyn and APIL extend their deepest thanks to Brian Colon, Singleton, Schreiber LLP & Professor Emeritus Peter Winograd for their generous gift and continuing support of this important award.
Ruben Granados received an APIL Fellowship which supported his work at the New Mexico Legal Aid Low-Income Tax Clinic.
“This summer, I was able to accept an offer from the New Mexico Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, where I was able to dedicate my time to supporting low-income taxpayers and contributing to meaningful public-interest legal work. The generous support of Soto Law Firm made this opportunity possible; without it, I likely would have needed to work throughout the summer instead of being able to accept this position. Their support allowed me to fully commit to the clinic and gain invaluable experience while serving the community.”
Ruben and APIL extended their deepest thanks to Soto Law Firm and anonymous donors for their generous gift.
Julia Valero received an APIL Fellowship which supported her work at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
“At NMILC, I worked closely with asylum seekers in preparing hundreds of pages of evidence and practicing testimony for their final asylum hearings. I also advocated for clients' religious and mental health accommodations, and, while speaking at a rally in June, I shared messages from people in detention. I also assisted in legal triage and intake at the Cibola detention center, screening people for asylum, WOR, CAT, cancellation of removal, bond, and more. This internship helped me deepen my connections at NMILC, resulting in support through the fellowship application process as I look for opportunities post-grad. Thank you so much!”
Julia and APIL extended their deepest thanks to Feliz Rael for her generous gift and continuing support of this important award.
