Rodolfo “Rudy” Ruiz
| TMSL Graduating Class: | Class of 2019 - Valedictorian—Class of 2019 | |
| Home: | Rio Grande Valley of Texas |
|
| Undergraduate Institution: | University of Texas Pan-American |
|
| Undergraduate Major: | Bachelor’s in Political Science |
Jobs/Internships/Externships have you obtained while at TMSL
-
United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Scholarships, organizations or extracurricular activities while attending TMSL
-
CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Lawyering Process II
-
CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Constitutional Law I
-
CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Evidence
-
CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Appellate Litigation
-
CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Criminal Procedure
-
Top 10% TMSL Full Scholarship 2L and 3L year
-
Incoming 1L Full Scholarship
-
TMSL Hispanic Law Student Association, member
-
TMSL Institute for International & Immigration Law, member
-
TMSL Veterans Law Student Association, member
-
TMSL Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, member
-
Houston Young Lawyers Association, Basketball League
Pro Bono Activities
-
TMSL Immigration Clinic
-
TMSL Help the Homeless Project with Hispanic Law Student Association
-
Child Sponsor with Compassion International: Sponsor a Child
-
Anchor of Hope
So, when people say dreams don’t come true—I am always led to share my story.
I’m currently a third-year law student, in my last semester at Thurgood Marshall School of Law (“TMSL”) and the rising Valedictorian of the Class of 2019. Before attending law school, I worked for an attorney, but longed for more. What solidified my desire to obtain a law degree is the injustice I saw in poor communities, generally populated with minorities. I believe that justice should not stem from ethnicity, race, money or socio-economic position. A powerful ambition for social justice to prevail under any cause, coupled with a commitment to a more inclusive society, motivated me to pursue a career in law.
I chose to attend TMSL because I agree with the law school’s message of providing opportunities to minority individuals. TMSL was gracious enough to offer me a full scholarship my first year. In addition, I was awarded a full scholarship the following two years for my academic success. During my legal journey with TMSL, I was offered a paid position at the United States Department of Justice (“USDOJ”), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office in Falls Church, Virginia. While there, I met many wonderful and intelligent lawyers who encouraged me to apply to the USDOJ’s prestigious honors program. I applied and by God’s favor, I was selected as a candidate among thousands of nationwide applications. Specifically, I was offered a position to work with the USDOJ, Office of the Chief Immigration Judge as a law clerk/attorney advisor. I opted to accept this federal position in order to continue my dream—my pursuit to promote social justice and plant seeds of love and hope to those who are in a place of despair. I absolutely love to encourage people.
So, when people say dreams don’t come true—just tell them about Rudy!
