Kerry McGuire (’16) Named Equal Justice Works Fellow

Kerry McGuire, who is on track to graduate from the Law School next May, has been awarded a two-year postgraduate fellowship through Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to equal justice.” McGuire will spend her fellowship term working with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) to create medical-legal partnerships with health clinics in rural Minnesota, with the aim of increasing immigrants’ access to legal aid. She also plans to do policy work that will bolster immigrants’ access to health care in the state.

During her 2L year at the Law School, McGuire was a student attorney with the Detainee Rights Clinic, working on Board of Immigration appeals and representing detained immigrant clients in removal proceedings. She will return to the Detainee Rights Clinic as student director next semester. She has also been honored as a Robina Public Interest Fellow, and has published an article on the relationship between NAFTA and indigenous populations in Mexico in the Minnesota Journal of International Law. She has worked in criminal defense at Cabrini Green Legal Aid in Chicago (summer 2014), in family law at Legal Assistance of Dakota County (summer 2013), and in several capacities with the Minnesota Justice Foundation. Prior to attending the Law School, McGuire spent four years in social services, working with Latino immigrants in Chicago.

Each year, through a competitive process, Equal Justice Works awards approximately 50 fellowships to lawyers who have developed innovative legal projects aimed at serving communities in desperate need of legal assistance. Fellows receive a competitive salary, generous loan repayment assistance, training, and additional support during their two-year tenure. “I am excited about this fellowship, because it allows me to continue the work that led me to law school,” McGuire said. “It combines my past experience in immigrant social services, utilizes the knowledge I gained at the Law School, and will push me to develop new skills through direct representation of immigrant clients and policy work.”

“During her time in the Detainee Rights Clinic, Kerry has proven time and again her dedication and passion for assisting the marginalized and under-served,” said Professor Linus Chan. “We couldn't be prouder that she will be joining our partner ILCM as an Equal Justice Works fellow.”