Texas Tech University
She began her law school journey at Texas Tech School of Law in the fall of 2017. During her first year, she clerked for the Abeyta Law Firm under Emilio Abeyta, a long time Lubbock attorney who served the hispanic population in West Texas. Over the course of her eight-month clerkship, she gained experience in property law, family law, and criminal law, assisting in court by serving as second chair in family law hearings. She also prepared various legal documents, including wills, child custody agreements, divorce decrees, and mediation memorandums.
As a 1L, she joined the Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA) and quickly stepped into a leadership role as Community Service Representative. At the end of the her first year, she was awarded HLSA Member of the Year and elected as Vice President for the following academic term.
In her second year, she enrolled in a dual-degree program to earn a Master’s in Sport Management alongside her J.D. As a former student-athlete, this unique opportunity allowed her to combine her background in sports with her legal studies. She also earned a place on Texas Tech’s Sports Law Negotiation Team within its nationally recognized advocacy program. She honed her contract negotiation skills in collective bargaining disputes, college football scheduling, stadium construction deals, sports gambling protections, and legislative policy.
As a 3L, she and her partner placed third overall, competing against over 50 teams across the country—a success largely attributed to the extensive research she conducted for each problem set. Having completed over 20 hours in the law school’s Excellence in Legal Research Program, she was well-prepared for each competition.
After taking a leave of absence to intern at the NCAA National Office, she spent the first half of her 3L year clerking for Texas Tech’s Office of General Counsel. In this role, she conducted in-depth research on coaching contracts, prepared university reports, and participated in several Office of General Counsel meetings.
Following her graduation, she successfully passed the July 2021 Bar Exam.
With four years of experience working in Sports Information as a former student-athlete, she recognized that combining her law studies with education in sports and management would enhance her background and experiences.
The program curriculum included law school courses such as Employment Law, Negotiations Workshop, Business Entities, Contracts, and Sports Law. In the evenings, she attended courses at the Kinesiology & Sport Management building, studying topics such as Marketing and Promotions in Sport, Financial Management, Organizational Behavior, and Sport Leadership. The program also required a sports-related internship, which she fulfilled through her internship at the NCAA National Office.
Participating in the dual-degree program provided her with valuable insights into the intersection of sport and law. Since sports law encompasses multiple legal areas, the program covered diverse topics, including employment and discrimination issues, business mismanagement, intellectual property disputes, and administrative law.
This experience allowed her to study the law through a familiar lens, deepening her understanding of its practical applications.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
A Division II softball scholarship brought her to Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma, in 2013. From the moment she arrived on campus, she began working in the university’s communications department. She wrote articles for the campus paper, recorded sports statistics for the athletic department, and photographed events for the university yearbook.
After three years on staff, she was promoted to co-editor of both the yearbook and newspaper. This writing experience, coupled with her coursework as a history major, created a strong foundation for her future in law school.
Through various leadership roles, she gained valuable experience in advocacy early on. She served as the softball representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for two years, eventually chairing the committee during her junior and senior years. SAAC advocated for the interests of all athletes by working directly with athletic administrators to address concerns about the student-athlete experience.
Her most meaningful team experience at Panhandle State was with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO). HALO promoted recruitment and retention of Hispanic students through campus events and community service. Thanks to the efforts of HALO and university administrators, Panhandle State achieved the designation of the first Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Oklahoma. This designation expanded educational opportunities for Hispanic students—including her younger brother who eventually attended Panhandle State himself. Her involvement in these efforts, along with her work representing Panhandle State, earned her a Governor’s Commendation from Governor Mary Fallin in the fall of 2016. This experience also provided her with unique insight into the university grant process with the Department of Education.
Her four years at Panhandle State instilled in her a deep appreciation for commitment, collaboration, and advocacy.