November 7, 2025

Clinic Work That Connects: How Kristina Ramirez Discovered Confidence, Creativity, and Purpose at Southwestern

“I have never considered myself a ‘creative’ person,” says Kristina Ramirez, a 3L in Southwestern's Full-Time Day program. “But when I was put into an environment where I had to teach [high school] students about the law in a way that THEY could understand, I found myself being able to create different methods of delivering information.”

That discovery came through Southwestern’s Street Law Clinic, where Kristina worked with high school students to break down complex legal ideas into practical, relatable lessons. In learning to make the law accessible to others, she began to see herself differently and to recognize the kind of lawyer she could become.

Clinic Work That Made It Real

Kristina didn’t always plan on pursuing law. After finishing her undergraduate degree in 2020, she planned to pursue a career in therapy and enrolled in a master’s program in forensic psychology. It was there that she was first introduced to the legal system and began to imagine how she might contribute in a different way.

When she arrived at Southwestern, she was looking for ways to gain real-world experience and apply what she was learning in the classroom. The legal clinics felt like the most direct way to do that. She joined the Street Law Clinic during her 2L year and later the Appellate Litigation Clinic in 3L.

“I was immediately drawn to the Street Law Clinic because I previously worked as a residential counselor at a group home, and I truly enjoy working with children,” she says. “Street Law is still the highlight of my 2L year.”

Her experience in the Appellate Litigation Clinic built on her work in Moot Court and gave her the chance to draft a real appellate brief and represent a client seeking immigration relief. The chance to write, advocate, and connect with a client made the work feel purposeful and real.

“I feel very fortunate to still be a student and yet have numerous opportunities to advocate for real clients.”

A Client’s Words That Still Stay With Her

Some of Kristina’s most lasting lessons didn’t come from writing or research. During a brief phone call with her client, who was being held in an immigration detention facility, she encountered something that stayed with her.

“The phone call was short and only allowed us students to introduce ourselves over the phone,” she recalls. “Something that really stood out to me was that our client, at the end of the call, expressed to us how much he was rooting for our success and that he was praying for all of us. That was very meaningful to me because he meant it so selflessly and so sincerely, and his comments had nothing to do with his case. He just genuinely wanted us to be successful, no matter what.”

It was a reminder of the human side of the work and of the responsibility that comes with it.

“I think we can all learn a valuable lesson from a person in such a scary and stressful situation who can still express such kindness and sincerity to others.”

Growth Through Challenge and Mentorship

Throughout law school, Kristina found both challenge and support in Professor Alexandra D’Italia, who taught her Intro to Legal Writing before 1L officially began, and continued to be a mentor through Moot Court and beyond.

“She challenges me because she has always known what I am capable of, even if I don't know it myself,” Kristina says. “She pushes me to do better and work harder in everything I am involved in on campus, and she has been one of my biggest supporters every step of the way.”

What She’d Tell Future Clinic Students

Kristina knows that starting a clinic can feel intimidating—but she encourages students to embrace that uncertainty.

“I would want them to know that it is okay to be nervous, scared, and/or unsure at the start of the clinic experience,” she says. “Being in a clinic is about learning and growing, and it's meant to challenge you. Lean into the thing you're most afraid of and let that push you to be a better advocate for your client!”

Looking Ahead

While Kristina is still deciding on her next steps, she hopes to pursue a career in civil rights law and to carry forward the mindset she built through her clinic work.

“At this moment, I am unsure of what's next for me, but I hope to pursue a career in civil rights. No matter what I do, I hope to approach it with an open mind and a desire to learn, because that is how I approached every day of my clinics.”

Want to explore what’s possible through clinic work? Learn more on our Clinics page.