Student strives to make change in law school and beyond

Brooke Trujillo JD’23 always knew she wanted to help people. Following an internship at the California State Capitol, law school felt like a natural next step.

Seeing the ins and outs of a state legislature, Trujillo knew she wanted to be “boots on the ground” to implement real change in her community. Willamette Law felt like an obvious choice so Trujillo could study in another state capitol. But it was the community that really sold her on the school.

Beginning her first year in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic added an extra layer of difficulty to the law school transition.

“The 1L year was so hard because I only knew my peers as a Zoom square,” Trujillo explains. “My 2L year is where I got to build a sense of community with in-class interaction.”

As an Academic Excellence fellow in her third year, Trujillo made it a priority to offer mentorship and guidance to 1L students, helping build opportunities for community after the isolation of her first year.

“She was a model fellow and a go-to resource for 1Ls,” says Professor Kelly Gamble, director of academic excellence. “She is a great listener and adviser, without overwhelming students with information or judgment.”

Trujillo found other ways to be involved, becoming the first-ever vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Student Bar Association, something she calls a highlight of her time at Willamette Law.

“I was honored to be selected by my peers for such an important role, but it also opened my eyes to all the work that needed to be done in the school and also in building a community,” Trujillo says. “I wanted to offer a new perspective and let people know that it was okay to ask questions and to learn.”

Another highlight of her time at law school was working during her 2L summer at Legal Aid Services of Oregon. In her role, she was provided mentorship opportunities that allowed her to see what being a practicing attorney would be like.

“I was going to in-person meetings, attending court, and really just seeing what life would look like after law school,” Trujillo says. “It helped me to see what kind of lawyer I could be.”

After law school, Trujillo is hoping to continue giving back to those around her. Professionally, she looks forward to building a career in state or local government, with ambitions of one day becoming an administrative law judge.

“I wanted to offer a new perspective and let people know that it was okay to ask questions and to learn.”

— Brooke Trujillo JD’23