Lucas Law Legal Leaders Scholarship Winner

Elena Hoeferle

Elena is a first-year law student at the Northern Illinois University College of Law. Elena’s essay is a shining example of an individual deeply moved by the injustices of the legal system. As Elena looks to the future, she feels that becoming a lawyer is her best chance at making a positive impact in the legal community. We are delighted to assist her in making this dream a reality!

Read Elena's Essay:

My first encounter with the criminal justice system was on a high school field trip to our county’s jail. Before entering, one of the correctional officers instructed us what and what not to do once inside: stay together as a group, don’t talk, don’t make eye contact with the inmates, and lastly, the one that really stood out to me, if an inmate waves to you, do not wave back. When we entered the jail, I was nervous that someone would wave and I’d have to stop myself from the human instinct of waving back. Sure enough, one incarcerated individual smiled and waved and I felt a rush of frustration fill my body. Why could I not wave back to someone simply because they’re in jail? Why could I not wave back to a human being? This first encounter with the system showed me that it is far from perfect, treats people as less than human, and made me want to pursue a path where I could make a direct change. Along with this experience, my internship with Kane County’s Child Advocacy Center, and my job as a Research Assistant at Loyola University Chicago involving the elimination of cash bail have shown me exactly the type of lawyer I aspire to become; one who respects and advocates for those deemed powerless, who is a voice for vulnerable populations, and one who can make a positive change for everyone involved in the system.

I aspire to have a career in law that will allow me to use my knowledge, leadership, and experience in reform to work toward establishing equity for marginalized communities and to use my experience in advocating for children to be a voice for those who have been victims of violence. Not only am I compassionate toward others, but I am highly motivated and passionate about these goals. While I could become a social worker, a teacher, or a nonprofit leader to help these populations, I am confident that my career in law, as well as my personal strengths, will allow me to directly impact the root causes of the injustices done to these populations and be part of positive change in the system.

I hope to pursue a career in policy, public interest, or government service and partake in volunteer or internship work relating to these goals. However, as was my internship last summer, these opportunities are often unpaid. A scholarship would help ease the financial burden of attending law school and would help me to pursue these unpaid opportunities that align with my passions and allow me to make a difference.