UNPARALLELED COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE

FALL 2025

At a time when the rule of law and fundamental rights feel increasingly fragile, the work of the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic has never been more critical — or more inspiring. Students, faculty, and partners are standing with youth navigating systems stacked against them, building bridges across borders, and advancing advocacy with compassion and care. Amid uncertainty, I find hope in their efforts and in the community that continues to move this work forward with courage, care, and conviction.

Elizabeth Bluestein
Executive Director, Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic

With nowhere stable to call home, 16-year-old high school junior "Mike" was shuffled between vehicles and shelters while trying to stay on top of his school assignments. His teachers began to notice his exhaustion, his grades slipping, and his frequent absences. It wasn't until a school counselor referred Mike to the Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC) that things began to change for him.

At YJEC, Mike met a dedicated team of attorneys who fought not only for his educational rights, but also connected him with a social worker. This meeting set off a chain of events that changed his life, starting with secure permanent housing and getting the academic support he needed. At the heart of LLS' Center for Juvenile Law and Policy (CJLP) is the belief that every young client deserves a fair chance at success — not just in the courtroom, but in life. Read more >>

Earlier this semester, the new Binational Migrant Advocacy Project (BMAP) brought Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic students and their peers from Guadalajara’s ITESO university together at the border. There, in partnership with Casa Migrante, students from both schools provided legal consultations to recently deported individuals facing both U.S. and Mexican legal barriers and learned more about the many systemic challenges that migrants are facing. The collaboration underscored the ongoing need for binational advocacy and access to justice on both sides of the border. More >>

In October, Juvenile Justice Clinic (JJC) students made their first official court appearances — with impressive results. Their research, motions, and arguments helped reduce sentences and reunite clients with their families. Along the way, they are learning Loyola’s holistic lawyering model, collaborating with YJEC and the Collateral Consequences of Conviction Justice Project to ensure young clients receive ongoing support and a clear path forward.

How do you stay grounded while fighting for change? LSJLC clinic students attended a training last month on sustainable self-care for new attorneys and advocates. Led by YJEC and JJC Forensic Social Workers Cindy Galvan and Elyse Kupfer, the session emphasized maintaining well-being amid demanding social justice work. Key takeaway: schedule joy. Sustaining justice begins with sustaining yourself — a core LSJLC value. More >>

Recent grad Jordan Velosa '25 gained valuable experience in post-conviction advocacy as a part of the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic (JIFS). There, Jordan also found a supportive, tight-knit community ­­— further strengthening her drive to pursue justice and systemic change. Read more >>

This fall, the LSJLC welcomes three post-graduate fellows: Rachel Morrow '25 (LPI), Anna Strasburger '25 (JIFS), and Fausto Polanco '24 (LPI). Read more >>

The Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR) has been selected by the JAMS Foundation and the National Association for Community Mediation as one of five grantees to receive funding for an initiative focused on addressing hate crimes and violence prevention, fostering more peaceful and just communities. Read more >>

Thanks to Matthew Gaul ’98, the Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI) now has the Laurie L. Levenson Expert Fund for retaining cutting-edge experts across a variety of forensic disciplines, including cell phone analysis, DNA testing, photogrammetry, and eyewitness misidentification. These experts help uncover the truth in complex cases. LPI is deeply grateful for the vision behind this fund and for those who choose to strengthen it for future cases.

The work of the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic is only possible in partnership with supporters like you. Help us advance our vital work with a gift today.