Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
A Leader at Heart
It’s not every day you get to meet a student whose dreams are as big as Jason Rochin Ruiz. Now a 3L at Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable, Jason has inspired his classmates, leaving a lasting impression. His journey is fueled by ambition, a strong sense of community, and an unwavering commitment to representation. As President of the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA), Jason’s leadership has made a real impact at Western State. His top interests are criminal law, immigration law, and medical malpractice—fields where he feels he can make the biggest difference for others. And, by the way, his big dream is, quite literally, trailblazing: to make history as the first Latino President of the United States.
For Jason, leadership isn’t just a title. It’s about showing up for others and helping them believe in themselves. “Leadership isn’t just about being a leader,” he says. “Being a leader is the easy part. Leadership comes with building the leaders of tomorrow.” And that’s the energy he brings to Western State every single day, where he’s inspiring others to rise, dream bigger, and know that they can do it, too. That’s why Jason wants to make sure his impact lasts, so the legacy he leaves behind opens doors for fellow aspiring lawyers at Western State.
From Pre-Med to Law: Finding Purpose and Belonging
Jason’s story begins in Calexico, a small border town on the California–Mexico border. From a young age, his community encouraged him to step into leadership roles, often recognizing his potential before he fully saw it himself. Guided by that faith, he carried their expectations forward, working tirelessly to honor where he came from and to make his community proud. Clearly, he did not disappoint.
You may be surprised to learn that Jason’s first path was medicine, not law. “I was a pre-med student. I did all the biology and chemistry series in college because I wanted to be a doctor,” he explains. Only, he eventually realized that medicine wasn’t his calling after all—it was law. That big shift was about using his strengths to give back to his community and stand up for those who need it most. This experience also sparked his interest in medical malpractice law.
That sense of purpose and desire to find a place where he belonged carried on when he started at Western State. He wanted to find people who understood both the challenges and the joys of being a Latinx student in law. So he attended the Meet the Clubs event held yearly by the SBA, where he met Hesley Gonzalez (Class of 2024), then co-president of LLSA. She welcomed him right away. That spirit of openness and community, Jason says, is exactly what sets Western State apart.
Starting as a 1L Representative for LLSA, Jason was encouraged by LLSA leaders like Hesley to run for stronger leadership roles in the organization. By his second year, he was Vice President. Today, he’s the President of LLSA. “Latinos are less than 5% in law,” he states. “It’s so important for us to put our names out there and let people know we are here. We have a seat at the table. We are important, and we’re doing it, to inspire everyone else who thinks they can’t.”
As he puts it, “Uncle Ben told Spider-Man, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ Law school has really taught me that. The things we’re able to do to help people make it our responsibility.”
Leading LLSA: Building Community and Making an Impact
For Jason, LLSA is far more than just a student organization—it’s a true family. He makes it a point to welcome everyone, no matter their background or heritage, even members who aren’t Latino. “This isn’t just my culture, I’m sharing it with you,” he says. That’s why he always starts LLSA emails with ‘familia,’ explaining, “It doesn’t matter if you’re Mexican, Peruvian, Guatemalan, or not Latino at all. If you’re here, you’re family.”
This spirit of inclusivity shapes everything LLSA does under Jason’s leadership. He’s made it a point to invite the entire Western State community, including faculty, to culturally rich events like the annual LLSA banquet. “I wanted to make it as meaningful as possible, so I brought my favorite tacos from Mexicali, to share a piece of my culture with everyone.”
LLSA’s influence is all about giving people a space where they feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger. Under Jason’s leadership, LLSA has become a hub for mentorship, community, and empowering new leaders on campus.
Academic Excellence and Hands-On Experience
Jason’s impact extends beyond leadership. Distinguished by his hands-on experience, he’s participated in a range of clinics, internships, and service. In the Criminal Defense Clinic, Jason says, “Getting out of theory and into practical work was a difference maker. I’ve done arraignments for clients—speaking to a judge in an actual criminal matter. That’s when I knew I belonged in the courtroom.” He brings the same passion to the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic, noting, “It affects everyone. I am fighting for my community, but it’s not just my community. I’m fighting for everybody’s community, because we’re all human.”
His internships were invaluable, giving him hands-on experience he wouldn’t have had without them. At the Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD), Jason gained real experience with civil harassment, domestic violence, restraining order cases, and unlawful detainer cases, learning firsthand the difference a lawyer can make for people facing hardships. As an in-house counsel intern for a startup, he got to experience what business law is like, but realized his heart was in criminal and immigration work. At Community Legal Aid SoCal, he helped clients navigate health law issues like Medicaid coverage denials, which allowed him to serve his own community. Jason is currently following his passion for Criminal Defense as a Law Clerk for Corrigan Welbourn Stokke, APLC where he thanks Kate Corrigan for what he describes as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Jason’s excellence has earned him many accolades. He’s received the Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award and the Outstanding Legal Service Award twice for his work with LASSD. Jason is also a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, a scholarship he recommends to all Latinos. “What matters is not that I have the glass award on my desk, but that I was able to make an impact on these people’s lives,” he says. Through every experience, Jason shows that true leadership is about helping uplift and better people’s lives.
The Power of Mentorship and Community
The relationships Jason has built at Western State have shaped his journey as much as any class he’s taken. He specifically named Professors Arshagouni, Shah, Kim-Jackson, Jones, Rivera, and Hasse as pivotal mentors to him. “Every single one of these professors believes in you, because you’re not just a number; they know you. That makes a huge difference.”
But friends and classmates are just as important, if not even more so, to have as a support system. Even having someone to share how your day went goes a long way. “Law school is difficult, and it’s even harder if you do it without friends. Find yourself some good friends. It’s important; those friendships are going to last forever.”
Making an Impact Off-Campus
While Jason participates in leadership on campus, he is also involved in off-campus organizations. He’s an active member of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, which he praises for its “amazing mentor-mentee program” and strong support of LLSA. They’ve even sponsored sashes for LLSA’s celebrations. “They pair you with attorneys in your field, give you guidance, and open doors.”
He also keeps in touch with his past internships at Legal Aid Society of San Diego and Community Legal Aid SoCal, showing up at events and staying active in their alumni networks. “There are huge networks of people who are willing to help. Students need to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Dreaming Big: The First Latino President
Jason is the kind of law student who dreams big. Really big. His ultimate goal? “I see myself becoming the first Latino President of the United States of America, and that’s always going to be my goal,” he says. Law school, he explains, has deepened his understanding of how the law shapes people’s lives, and this has only strengthened his desire to reach the highest office in the nation: The President of the United States.
He credits Western State for supporting his dreams, even ones as big as becoming the US President. “I haven’t had a single professor here who has questioned my ability to achieve my dreams. In fact, they’ve encouraged it, even if it’s becoming the first Latino President of the US.” This encouragement, Jason says, has made all the difference to him.
Rather than walk in anyone else’s footsteps, Jason is determined to chart his own course. As he puts it, “I don’t want to be like Barack Obama. I don’t want to be like LeBron James. I want to be like Jason Rochin Ruiz.”
Why Western State? A Place Where Dreams Take Root
What drew Jason to Western State was indeed the genuine sense of community, support, and opportunity he felt from day one. But perhaps most meaningful of all for him was the feeling that the ABA-accredited institution chose him. “Western State gave me a shot before anyone else did. They believed in me. And that matters to me so much. They accepted me within two weeks, and to me, that represented them saying, ‘Hey, we want you here.’” Jason still remembers the moment he got his acceptance letter. He was overcome with emotion. “I cried, I hugged my parents. I did it.” For Jason, it’s this sense of being wanted and supported that makes him proud to be here. “That makes me Western State proud, because yes, I chose this school, but this school also chose me, and that matters so much.”
Giving Back, Staying Grounded, and Inspiring Others
Giving back is a huge part of Jason’s character, and he wants to continue to do so, even beyond law school. As LLSA President, he’s launching an Alumni Relations Chair to connect current students with graduates. Jason hopes the mentorship program will continue after he graduates, and plans to be part of it as well. He also aspires to come back to Western State, but this time, as a law professor: “I’d love to come back and teach here, after I graduate.”
When he’s not absorbed in school and leadership, Jason stays grounded by the things he loves, like sports. “I’m just an everyday guy. I love playing sports—basketball, soccer, football, and baseball. When football season starts, I’m all about the Green Bay Packers. I’m also huge on fantasy football.” Jason is also a self-described anime fan. “When Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero was released, I was all into that game, spent too much time playing it, actually,” he laughed. And of course, he loves to spend time with his family.
His favorite advice for incoming students is something every student should hear: “Don’t fit in. Fit out. Be different, be unique. Be yourself and you will be okay, you’re going to be fine.” He encourages new 1Ls to embrace the things that make them different and let their individuality shine, both in law school and beyond.
A Bright Future
From his roots in Calexico to the halls of Western State, from aspiring law student to club president and community leader, Jason Ruiz exemplifies the very best of Western State College of Law. His journey shows how determination, combined with strong community support, can turn ambitious dreams into achievable goals.
Jason’s journey is proof that big dreams can start in small towns and grow in the right community. As he sets his sights on law, public service, and the White House, he’s carrying the hopes of his family and the spirit of Western State with him. As he says, “I thank God, my family, and my friends for everything.” If you ever wonder where big dreams can take you, just remember Jason Ruiz, and know that your story is still being written.
