May 9, 2025

SCALE Students Cindy Berganza ’25 and Hailey Roknipour ’25 Receive CLEA Outstanding Clinic Team Award for Client-Centered Immigration Work

In fall 2024, SCALE students Cindy Berganza and Hailey Roknipour entered Southwestern’s Immigration Law Clinic with a shared commitment to public service. Assigned to a U Visa case for a survivor of extreme domestic violence, they took on work that demanded both legal skill and a thoughtful, trauma-informed approach to client advocacy.

Their efforts earned national recognition. In spring 2025, Cindy and Hailey received the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Clinic Team Award, which honors excellence in casework, seminar engagement, and effective collaboration. The award, based on nominations from Southwestern’s clinic faculty, celebrates student distinction in clinical legal education.

Advocates in Training, Grounded in Empathy

To advocate for their client, Cindy and Hailey meticulously reviewed police reports, criminal court records, and restraining orders to understand the history of violence she had survived. But the most important work wasn’t in the documents—it was in how they approached their client: with patience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered lawyering.

Both students reflected deeply on how the clinic shaped their identity as future attorneys. Below are excerpts from their reflections, lightly edited for clarity.

Cindy Berganza

My time at the immigration clinic has been transformative. I learned so much about advocacy and the responsibility it takes to represent real people facing serious immigration obstacles. I developed resilience and embraced creative approaches to problem-solving. I gained a deeper understanding of the privilege and responsibility that comes with being a legal advocate. I will carry these lessons with me and a renewed commitment to using my power to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned was the importance of empathy in legal practice. The clients came from diverse backgrounds, often having experienced indescribable hardships. Listening to their stories and understanding their journeys reminded me that my role is not only to apply the law but to humanize it.

The clinic reinforced my belief in the importance of public interest work, specifically in immigration law. Every case has a profound effect on someone’s life. The experience reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career where I can advocate for immigrant communities. The semester has given me a foundation in immigration law, but more importantly, it has instilled a sense of purpose that fuels my passion for advocacy.

Hailey Roknipour

This semester has been transformative as a law student and as a person. I came into the Immigration Law Clinic with a passion for public service and serving underrepresented communities. One of the most powerful lessons I learned is the power of empathy and understanding. Working to serve individuals who have no financial means to access legal representation was and still is a huge motivator in attending law school. The feeling of being the voice behind their case, their legal advocate, is the same feeling of passion that brought me to law school. Working in the clinic reaffirmed my belief in the justice system and my commitment to helping those in need. 

The clinic helped me reach my goals and allowed me to take charge of my own cases. The clinic pushed me to engage in tasks that were initially uncomfortable. I initially felt overwhelmed by the responsibility, knowing how much was at stake. I was not prepared for how emotionally challenging my case would be. I worked past the hardships and channeled that energy into advocacy.

My experience in the Immigration Law Clinic has been invaluable in helping me develop as an advocate. Clinic work resonated with me. I learned to combine legal analysis with empathy and how to handle difficult situations. I gained confidence in my abilities and feel more prepared to continue my legal education with a focus on immigration law. I was privileged to work alongside wonderful peers who were kind and collaborative. I’ve learned the significance of finding balance and maintaining resilience throughout my legal work. I will carry these lessons with me and continue to advocate for those who are unable to afford legal representation.

Together, Cindy and Hailey represent what Southwestern’s clinical programs make possible: hands-on legal training that not only serves those in need, but shapes the advocates students become. Their CLEA award marks a significant achievement, recognizing not just the quality of their advocacy, but the integrity and care they brought to every aspect of the case. It’s a reflection of what thoughtful, well-supported lawyering can look like—both in the classroom and in practice.