Kimberlé Crenshaw is a distinguished professor of law and prominent scholar and activist. A leading authority on civil rights, Black feminist legal theory, and race, racism and the law, Crenshaw is popularly known for her development of “intersectionality,” Critical Race Theory and the #SayHerName campaign. As co-founder of UCLA Law's groundbreaking Critical Race Studies program and co-founder/executive director of the African American Policy Forum, she hosts the podcast "Intersectionality Matters!" and moderates the webinar series "Under the Blacklight." 

The National Women’s Hall of Fame, the nation’s first and oldest nonprofit dedicated to honoring distinguished American women, recently honored Crenshaw with an induction into its Class of 2024. She is among 10 changemakers whose contributions have and will continue to leave a mark on society — including Ruby Bridges, Peggy McIntosh and Serena Williams.

"When I think back on my journey as a law student, I realize that everything that drives my thinking and research today is grounded in the questions, instincts and experiences I had as a student," Crenshaw reflects. "Intersectionality was a conceptual tool that described the world as I experienced it. Credit and value your impressions about the law and the social world; they can shape your future in ways that amplify your deepest instincts and aspirations."

Melissa Goodman is the executive director of the Center on Reproductive Health, Law and Policy at UCLA Law. Before joining the center, Goodman was the legal and advocacy director at the ACLU of Southern California for five years. Before that, she spent a decade leading and doing reproductive justice, LGBTQ and gender equity litigation and policy advocacy campaigns as the ACLU SoCal’s Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ Gender and Reproductive Justice Project, and as a senior litigation and policy counsel for reproductive and LGBTQ rights at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

“Recognize the immense power and privilege being a lawyer affords you, and use it thoughtfully," Goodman says. "No matter your practice, keep equity and justice top of mind. Pursue professional paths that align with your values and passions and bring you personal fulfillment and satisfaction. Never let work be your whole life or identity.”

Madison Li '24 is a senior marketing manager at AT&T. She leads the Southern California region-wide strategic public relations and integrated marketing efforts, including multicultural marketing, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement for the Cricket Wireless brand. Last year, Li served as a mentor to Group Effort Initiative (GEI), a nonprofit financed by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively to help those from underrepresented communities launch their entertainment careers. She was named a 2023 Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility (DEIA) Visionary by Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing.

Her advice to incoming and current law students? “Learning goes beyond just the books! The people you meet at UCLA Law are one of a kind," she says. "Build authentic friendships and hang out with your professors, peers, staff and alums at on-campus events, off-campus events or during office hours. They are some of the most interesting people that you will meet, and everyone is rooting for your success!"

While in the LL.M. program at UCLA Law, Ana Paula Noguez Mercado '07 was also a committed and engaged participant in the first Immigration Legal Clinic. Noguez Mercado is the inaugural language access coordinator with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she oversees a department-wide initiative to ensure equal access to the DOJ's services, activities and programs regardless of language. Noguez Mercado has more than 20 years of experience advocating for systematic change at the intersection of language, gender and immigrant justice in Mexico and the U.S.

"Consider participating in a clinic or volunteering with a local organization while in law school," Noguez Mercado suggests. "Doing so can provide you with a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience in handling client cases, improve your lawyering skills and advocate for marginalized communities through pro bono representation. This experience can help you develop a service-oriented mindset early on in your career, which is essential to becoming a strong, client-centered attorney."

Assistant professor and alumna Lauren van Schilfgaarde '12 (Cochiti Pueblo), is an expert in Tribal sovereignty and federal Indian law. As the former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic director at UCLA Law, she oversaw projects on tribal governance, justice systems, ethics and cultural resource protection. She co-chairs the Native American Concerns Committee of the American Bar Association and sits on the boards of several organizations, including the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation.

“You are, in fact, much more insightful and adept than you think you are. You’ll realize this soon enough. In the meantime, relish in experimenting and pushing on the law," van Schilfgaarde says. "May your burgeoning confidence then accompany perpetual humility, compassion and curiosity which will make for a fulfilling legal career and a deadly lawyer."

“The power of storytelling is it can be very healing, it can be cathartic, it can bridge the gap and bring people closer.”

— Alicia Virani '11, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Director of the Criminal Justice Program at UCLA Law 

Earlier this year, UCLA Law kicked off its new alumni mentorship program, Law Alumni Mentoring Pathway, or LAMP.

Led by Brenda Suttonwills '92, UCLA Law’s assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and UCLA Law’s Alumni Association, LAMP aims to:

➡️ Foster meaningful relationships
➡️ Promote professional growth
➡️ Provide valuable mentoring and guidance to UCLA Law’s newest alumni
➡️ Build diversity and inclusion in the legal profession

UCLA Law Women LEAD

Leadership. Empowerment. Advancement. Distinction.

UCLA Law Women LEAD is a diverse, inclusive, intergenerational community of UCLA Law women who help one another advance professional goals and foster personally fulfilling careers, both linear and non-linear, at all life and career stages.

Whether you are in law school, a young alumna or an experienced lawyer, LEAD is here to support you at every career stage. 

Just ask Bety Javidzad '05, a partner in the litigation and dispute resolution practice at Dentons and a LEAD board member. "Everyone you meet is a potential networking opportunity," she shares. "Make friends with everyone."

Join the network.

The Magazine

In 2017, we dedicated our annual magazine to celebrating UCLA Law's women in leadership. Explore the magazine below.