Julia Vázquez
Clinical Professor of Law | Director of Community Lawyering Clinic | Director of Public Interest Law Concentration
B.A., Psychology and History, 2002, M.A., Education, 2005, and J.D., 2010, University of California, Los Angeles
Member, California State Bar
As the first Clinical Fellow in the law school's Immigration Law Clinic and now as a Supervising Attorney, Julia Vázquez works closely with the Clinic's director, Professor Andrea Ramos, in the representation of clients, supervision of law students and development of course curricula for the clinic and the Immigration Appeals Practicum. She also participates in teaching the clinic seminars and research. She brings both professional teaching experience as well as experience as an immigration law clinic student to her position at Southwestern.
"I enjoy challenging students to reach their full potential as future practitioners while providing mentorship throughout their journeys."
While in law school, Professor Vázquez was a Public Interest Law Program, Immigration Law Clinic, and Critical Race Studies student. She served as President of the Immigration Law Society, Co-Chair of La Raza Law Students Association, Articles Editor for the Chicana/o Latina/o Law Review and Writing Advisor in the First-Year Lawyering Skills Course. She volunteered as Student Director for the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project's UCLA Detention Center Clinic, and UCLA's Migrant Summer Leadership Program.
Prior to earning her law degree, Professor Vázquez completed an M.A. in Education with a focus on critical pedagogy and worked for several years as a teacher-and-parent educator in South Central Los Angeles. She eventually left teaching to pursue a legal career with a focus in immigration and public interest law.
"This position directly mirrors my dedication to both education and immigrant rights, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience in curriculum development and immigrant legal advocacy," she said. "I am excited to be a part of the growth of the Immigration Law Clinic in representing the most disenfranchised immigrants in our community. Additionally, I look forward to contributing academic scholarship highlighting the pedagogical strength and importance of clinical coursework in legal education."
Southwestern established the Immigration Law Clinic and Children's Rights Clinic Fellowships to provide a unique opportunity for young lawyers or recent law school graduates to gain experience in both clinical teaching and litigation in these areas.
Selected Achievements
Matadors United Award, CSUN Associated Students President and Vice President for the Community Lawyering Clinic