Scholarship
Judge Paul G. Feinman Scholarship
Celeste Woloshyn (she/her) is a 2026 graduate of Columbia Law School, where she served as President of the Student Senate, President of OutLaws (the LGBTQ+ law students association), and Executive Financial Officer and Notes Editor of the Human Rights Law Review. At Columbia, Celeste focused on building community for LGBTQ+ law students, first as OutLaws’ 1L Chair for Public Interest, then as President. She organized retreats, weekly lunch events with queer scholars and advocates, and pro bono work in the queer NYC community. She also engaged academically on LGBTQ+ issues through the Gender and Sexuality Practicum, partnering with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to research ways to improve healthcare access and outcomes for trans people.
In her 1L summer, Celeste worked in the Special Litigation Unit of the New York Legal Assistance Group, focusing on transparency in government and student loan assistance. In her 2L summer, she worked at Bantle & Levy, a plaintiff-side civil rights firm. After law school, Celeste will clerk for two out LGBTQ+ judicial officers: U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Calabretta (E.D. Cal.) from 2026–2028, and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Beth Robinson (2d Cir.) for the 2028–2029 term. She then hopes to pursue a career in civil rights litigation and policy advocacy, with a focus on healthcare, housing justice, and consumer protection.
Prior to law school, Celeste worked for U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo for three years, ending as her Health Legislative Assistant. As a congressional staffer, she was elected to the LGBTQ+ Congressional Staff Association, where she led community service efforts and the queer female-identifying taskforce. In that capacity, she was invited to the White House for the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, which she had worked to advance alongside her boss.
Judge Stephen M. Lachs and Michael Ruvo Scholarship
Zayd Ahmed, who identifies as a gay Arab man, is a British barrister currently pursuing his LL.M. at UCLA School of Law. He has served as a Programming Intern at the UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center, where he contributed to initiatives that foster community, visibility, and access to resources for LGBTQ+ students. Zayd has also been actively involved in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals seeking asylum and has worked on refugee and asylum cases, advocating for vulnerable individuals navigating complex immigration systems. He is currently externing with a state trial court judge. Zayd is committed to pursuing a legal career focused on advancing justice for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly at the intersections of immigration, displacement, race, and economic marginalization.
Judge Dean Hansell Scholarship
Samantha Hutz, who identifies as a transgender woman, is a rising 3L at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she has served on the Pride Law board. Prior to law school she had a profession as a realtor, as well as a photographer and videographer. Last year she was a summer law clerk at the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, and next summer will be interning at Transgender Law Center. In the Fall, she will be working with Association member Judge Victoria Kolakowski as a judicial clerk and will continue to develop a country conditions report on the United States regarding the state of trans rights, which she began earlier this year. Samantha also received the BALIF Julius Truman Award for Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Advocacy.
Judge Larnzell Martin, Jr. Scholarship
Rafael Escalante Franco (he/him) is a law student at the Université de Montréal in Canada, where he completed the combined Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor program. Rafael previously completed a clerkship at the Superior Court of Quebec under two judges and, beginning in 2027, will serve as a judicial law clerk at the Court of Appeal of Quebec. From his first year of law school, Rafael oriented his studies toward understanding mechanisms for the protection of fundamental rights and has worked with professors specializing in constitutional law, Indigenous law, and international human rights law. He has also worked with human rights NGOs and served as a legal clinician at his university’s legal clinic. He currently serves as Director of Communications for the Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers (CALL-ACAL), where he notably works to promote the organization’s mission of fostering a more representative legal profession across Canada and supports the organization of the annual Prisme Conference, which brings together legal professionals from across the country. Rafael views the law as a powerful tool for the protection of fundamental rights and is committed to pursuing this path as he embarks on his legal career. He aspires to later contribute to legal academia and, eventually, to serve as a member of the judiciary.
Justice Rosalyn Richter Scholarship
Chyanne Rhodes, who identifies as a Black/African American Bi/Queer woman, is a recent graduate of Rutgers Law School where she has been an officer with Outlaw, President of the Black Law Student Association, and Camden Liaison Editor of the Race & the Law Review. She is also a Rutgers Social Justice Scholar and recently was named a recipient of the Dean’s Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service for completing 100 hours or more of pro bono service during her time as a law student. During her 3L year she extern with Association member Judge Ashely Chan, in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Eastern Pennsylvania and previously worked as a judicial secretary for a Superior Court judge, an aide to the Governor of New Jersey, and a volunteer with the Peace Corps. When she worked as a summer associate in a firm, she advocated for a substantive training addressing microaggressions and creating genuine pathways for LGBTQ+ professionals to be heard and supported. Having grown up in the Black Baptist church and experiencing isolation and self-doubt, in LGBTQ+ spaces Chyanne advocates for voices of LGBTQ+ people of color, in Black spaces she has advocated for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and in mainstream spaces she has advocated for both. She is committed to being a catalyst of transformation and diversity.
Judge D. Zeke Zeidler and Jay M. Kohorn Scholarship
Michaé De La Cuadra (she/her) is a first-generation J.D. Candidate at Loyola Law School, spending her 1L summer as a judicial extern with the United States Bankruptcy Court. Prior to law school, Michaé worked as a policy manager leading groundbreaking legislative wins such as AB 2218 (Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund) and SB132 (Transgender Respect Agency and Dignity Act). She now pursues a legal career to further her ability to advocate for transgender people in and out of the courtroom. Michaé also currently serves as the Co-Founder of Consulting QTs and sits on the Executive Boards of Saturn’s Wish and DecrimSWCA.
