Anguiano (’17) Named to ‘National Jurist’ List of Outstanding Law Students

The National Jurist has named Nadia Anguiano (’17) as one of its “Law Students of the Year.” The magazine asked more than 200 law schools for “stories of their most devoted students with unparalleled attitudes” and selected 25 individuals from among the nominees, based on such factors as leadership, focus, and commitment to justice. Anguiano is the top honoree (of five) in the Midwest region. Last year, then-Law School student Rajin Olson (’16) was similarly recognized.

A Brooklynite who moved to the U.S. at age 10 from Mexico, Anguiano began volunteering with immigrant communities when she was working as a mechanical engineer at IBM in Rochester, Minn. After four years at IBM, she changed careers and enrolled at the Law School.

During two years working at the school’s Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic, she led a pair of litigation teams, including one that represented a Latin American child fighting for asylum. “Nadia’s work for this client was unsurpassed in terms of her determination, skill, and compassion,” wrote Laura Thomas, clinic director. “She dedicated more hours to this one client than are required of our clinic students during an entire academic year.”

During the 2016 winter break, Anguiano didn’t relax. Instead, she organized a trip with other law students and a supervising attorney to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s detention center in Dilley, Texas. There, she logged 15-hour days leading Spanish-language legal rights presentations and, wrote Thomas, “developing crucial client declarations for use in immigration court hearings.”

“I cannot overstate the impact that the Binger Center for New Americans has had on my legal education,” said Anguiano. “I’ll forever be indebted to Professor Ben Casper Sanchez (’97) for teaching me how to be a lawyer and really fight for clients who’ve entrusted you with an immensely important part of their lives.”

As a Law School student, Anguiano also served as lead managing editor of the Minnesota Journal of International Law and was a Robina Public Interest Fellow. After graduation, she plans to clerk for two years, first for U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson and later for Judge Jane Kelly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The National Jurist is read by more than 100,000 law students and educators. Its “Law Students of the Year” feature can be found here.