Arizona Law Ambassadors

Arizona Law Ambassadors (ALA) represent the University of Arizona Law student body and serve as professional student leaders to prospective students and families, alumni and the legal community. They participate in numerous events, including prospective student visits, admissions events, student orientation, homecoming, and alumni receptions. 

ALA members share their experiences and an insider view into the University of Arizona Law community. They educate audiences on the legal profession, what lawyers do and how they positively impact the world around us. Ambassadors are also charged with sharing what student success looks like, sharing tools and strategies necessary to succeed as JD law students at the University of Arizona. 

2022-23 Arizona Law Ambassadors

 

 

Nabil Bhimani ‘24 

Hometown: Little Rock, AR 
Legal Area of Interest: Criminal Law / Employment Law 

What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law?
I feel that every student should try to get pretty involved with at least one student organization here. There is at least one that will pique your interest and it's one of the best ways to make friends.

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Arizona Law has a great environment to step out of your comfort zone and just explore. Whether it's new ideas, new areas of the law, or new people this is the perfect place for all of those and I feel students should definitely take advantage.

 

Kyran Brown ‘24

Hometown: Page, Arizona
Legal Area of Interest:
I would like to be an advocate for members of the community, such as those that fall within the scope of family, immigration, workers' rights, and military and veteran benefits law, whether I act as an attorney or judge.

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law?
Surprisingly, one of my favorite experiences at Arizona Law was making an oral argument for legal writing at the end of my second semester, after writing for my client's side throughout the semester. It was nerve-racking going up against a talented classmate who was honorably arguing for their side, but it was a great experience to represent and support a client.

 

 

 

Jade Colclasure ‘24

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Legal Area of Interest
Family Law/Mediation or Environmental Law

What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law?
Every student should experience the barristers ball. It was a really fun event to and a good excuse to get dressed up and have a good time with fellow law students. 

Why did you choose Arizona Law?
I chose Arizona Law because when I visited Tucson, it just felt like a place I could call home. Everyone was very friendly, and that translated into the community here at the school as well. I also love the weather here and I enjoy having Saguaro National Park just 5 minutes from home. 

 

Thomas Corrigan ‘23

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Legal Area of Interest: 
Litigation

What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law?
Take at least one class connected to the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program.

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Take advantage of office hours, especially if you need extra help with the material. Professors at Arizona Law are invested in your success.

 

Oscar Fimbres ‘23

Hometown: San Luis, Arizona

Legal Area of Interest:
Employment & Labor Law

What clubs/orgs are you involved in outside of class?
Latino Law Student Association/ Los Abogados/ Arizona Law Ambassadors/ Arizona Law Diversity Committee/ Worker's Rights Clinic

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Make law school a competition against yourself. Take this time opportunity to challenge yourself to become a better student, scholar, lawyer, and person.

 

Sarah Gerstel ‘23

Hometown: Aberdeen, NJ

Legal Area of Interest:
Public Defense

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Remember why you came to law school in the first place and let that be your motivation. Everyone is on their own law school journey, so don't compare yourself to others or allow yourself to get freaked out by all of those "How to Do Well in Law School" books. If you're passionate and excited to learn, it will be a wonderful experience despite its challenges.

What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law?
Basic and Advanced Trial Advocacy. They got me comfortable being in a courtroom and I was able to receive helpful feedback on my advocacy skills from lots of great lawyers in the community.

 

Scott Glanzel ‘23

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Legal Area of Interest:
Criminal Defense (Public Defense specifically)

Name a favorite place in Tucson visitors should go to.
Guadalajara (for Mexican food) Cartel or Crave for coffee.

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law?
Having dinner with the Chief Judge of the 6th Circuit.

 

Hannah Hays ‘24

Hometown: Bozeman, MT

Legal Area of Interest:
Criminal Law 

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Make sure to hold on to the things you love and don't let school totally consume you - it helps with burnout.

Why did you choose Arizona Law?
For the small but strong community and the focus on public interest! 

Kendal Johnson ‘24

Hometown: Ada, Oklahoma

Legal Area of Interest:
As a second-year law student, I am still experimenting with a few different practice areas that I am interested in such as Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy, Criminal Law and Policy, and Property Law. As a 1L, summer is the perfect way to see law in practice. This past summer, I had an incredible experience working at a firm focused primarily on property law, including real estate transactions, boundary disputes, quiet title, probate, and breach of contract litigation. I look forward to exploring more areas of study this year and gaining hands-on experience through a clinic!

What is one thing every student should experience at Arizona Law?
SBA trivia night! Each semester, the Student Bar Association hosts a trivia night full of fun-filled competition while getting the opportunity to mix and mingle with other law students. 

What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law?
I will never forget my small section class my first semester, which was Contracts with Professor Woods. For first semester law students, the small sections are a great opportunity for 1Ls to better connect with a core professor and their classmates. I met some of my lifelong friends in Contracts and so many friendly faces that I love to see around the school after breaks. I still feel sentimental when I walk by the classroom.

 

 

Ben Koehler ‘23

Hometown: Union, Kentucky

Legal Area of Interest:
Tax or State and Local Government

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Try everything! Different study methods, different student orgs, and different areas of interest

Why did you choose Arizona Law?
I chose Arizona Law over other schools because it was the best combination of a supportive community culture, scholarship offer, future employment opportunities, and location relative to some of my family. I am incredibly happy with my choice as I have found life long friends amongst my classmates and professional opportunities that will benefit me for years to come.

 

Travis Reynolds ‘24

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Legal Area of Interest:
I've changed my mind about ten times since I started down the path of becoming a lawyer, but right now I'm very interested in criminal law. I'm leaning towards working for the public defender's office after graduation and seeing where that will take me in the future.

What has been one of your most memorable classes at Arizona Law?
One of my most memorable classes would be Criminal Procedure with Professor Kreag. He is a very thoughtful professor and very thorough when answering questions, and the content is so useful for just being an informed individual in the United States. 

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law?
One of my favorite experiences while at Arizona Law so far has to be the ping pong table. The Student Bar Association has a ping pong table in the court room and will bring it out to the quad when the weather is decent. It is such a great stress reliever and a fun way to meet other law students. 

 

 

 

Maryam Soortjii ‘23

Hometown: McLean, VA

Legal Area of Interest:
I would love to be a Public Defense in the future.

Name a favorite a place in Tucson visitors should go to.
I love hiking on Sabino Canyon with my family. It is so beautiful and peaceful in early mornings.

What advice do you have for incoming 1L's?
Trust the professors and the faculties, you are in good hands. 

 

Luis Torrero ‘23

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Legal Area of Interest:
Business Litigation

Name a favorite a place in Tucson visitors should go.
Cartel for Coffee and Boxyard for Drinks and Food. Moonstone for a nice rooftop. 

What is one of your favorite experiences while at Arizona Law?
My favorite experience so far has been my summer associate position this summer and hanging out with my law school friends.