Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
From Ontario, Canada to Orange County: Charting His Own Course
When Luis Alvarez first arrived in Southern California in 2015, law school wasn’t even on his radar. Everything about the American education system felt new and confusing. “The schooling system was totally foreign to me because we don’t really have community colleges like here,” he says, looking back on those first few years after his family moved here from London, Ontario. He admits the process felt overwhelming: “I didn’t know about things like the SATs. I was intimidated by the whole process.” But instead of letting that stop him, Luis did what he’s always done. He figured things out for himself, one step at a time.
After learning that he could set his path by starting with community college, Luis enrolled in Santa Ana College. The school became his launching pad. “Community college was great. It gave me a solid foundation and helped me get all the credits I needed,” he remembers. “It turned out to be the perfect stepping stone.”
For Luis, charting his own course has made all the difference. Luis brought to Western State College of Law: grit, adaptability, and a real drive to build something for himself. Now, a 2L at Western State, the oldest law school in Orange County, that persistence finally started to pay off. Luis learned that anything is possible when you’re willing to forge your own path.
Cal Pathways and a First Look at the Law
For Luis, law was always somewhere in the background—his father is a Colombian attorney—but it didn’t become real until he rolled up his sleeves and experienced it for himself. The turning point came at Santa Ana College, where he enrolled in the paralegal program and stumbled into the Cal Pathways initiative. That program changed everything. “The Pathways program was so helpful,” Luis says. “They brought in current law students and attorneys to speak with us, offered LSAT resources, and provided a lot of insight about getting into law school. But it also provided behind-the-scenes info from law students who work full-time, which was really useful to me.”
For someone who once had no clue how the law school admissions process worked, the structure and mentorship of Pathways was exactly what he needed. “I really didn’t know how to get to law school, so the program gave me a good blueprint and practical experience.” Thanks to Pathways, he landed internships, including a life-changing job at a criminal defense firm and an internship at Community Legal Aid SoCal, which gave him his first real taste of what lawyers actually do.
Rather than just learning the legal theory, Luis stepped straight into the legal world. Sitting with real clients, walking through the justice system, and witnessing what was at stake for people whose freedom hung in the balance made the work real. “I got a big impression from seeing people held in jail, how their freedom was taken away,” he recalls. “I saw how important the attorneys’ work was. It made me proud of the work I was doing as a legal assistant, but I wanted to be more directly involved in helping people in that situation.” For Luis, that hands-on experience is what sparked his passion. He wanted to be involved and make a difference for the people that need it most.
Why Western State? Finding Community and a Calling
For Luis, what really stood out about Western State was the school’s focus on practical training and getting students doing real legal work, especially in areas like criminal defense. “I knew it was an ABA-accredited law school,” states Luis, “and I’d heard about its Criminal Defense Clinic. Once I got here, I realized just how much more the school offers, especially in practical work. I knew it was a good fit for me.”
It didn’t take long for him to realize that Western State defies the stereotypes about law school. Instead of competition, he found a community where students and professors genuinely want to see each other succeed. “I thought law school was supposed to be really competitive, people hiding the ball from each other. But here, from day one, students have been helpful. They really want to lift each other up,” Luis says. For him, that spirit of collaboration is exactly why Western State feels like home.
The CALI Award: Earning His Stripes
Every law student has that one milestone that really makes everything click. For Luis, that moment was receiving the CALI Award in his Professional Responsibility class, which is awarded to the student with the top grade in the class. “I didn’t have the strongest first semester, so getting the CALI Award later in my law school career made me proud of the work I put in to improve,” he says. It wasn’t an easy journey, but seeing his hard work turn into real results gave him the boost he needed. “It motivated me and made me think of the work I put in, and seeing it pay off drives me to keep pushing forward.”
That determination hasn’t gone unnoticed. Alongside the CALI Award, Luis was also named a recipient of the Benitez Law Back to School Scholarship, funded by Western State alum Antonio Benitez (Class of 2019), an honor that connects him directly to the school’s vibrant alumni network.
Building Community and Paying It Forward
Community is everything for Luis. The Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA), where he serves as a 2L representative, has become a lifeline for mentorship, networking, and real belonging, especially as a student who didn’t always see people like him in the legal field. “Before joining LLSA, I’d only met one Hispanic attorney. Through the club, I’ve met so many attorneys from my background,” Luis explains. “The networking events, hikes, and banquets are amazing. I’ve gotten to meet judges and attorneys who invite us to court, even offer internships or mentorship. It’s a community that helps you find your way.”
That support feels like a natural extension of the guidance he got from the Pathways program. Every new connection, whether it’s a practicing attorney or a fellow law student, makes the legal world feel less intimidating and more open. The confidence to send that email, to approach a mentor, or to put himself out there for internships all started with the encouragement he found in these spaces. “LLSA gave me the confidence to seek out opportunities,” he says. “The attorneys I’ve met are so inviting and like helping students. It’s made me realize that if you want something, you just need to ask. People are there to help you.” For Luis, being part of LLSA is about building that same bridge for other students like him.
Hands-On Learning at Western State
From the get-go, Luis has thrown himself into every hands-on opportunity he can find, whether it’s jumping into immigration clinics, helping with pro se asylum workshops, or sitting down with real clients to conduct intake interviews and fill out forms under the watchful eye of practicing attorneys. In Professor Pfeiffer’s Juvenile Law class, things get even more real: “It’s not just hypothetical problems. We’re dealing with real cases, real clients, real documents. It takes learning a step further and gets you ready for the actual work of being a lawyer.”
That commitment to real-world experience carries over to his Trial Practice elective, where Luis and his classmates get to feel what the real pressure is like in the moot courtroom. They learn how to pick a jury, make opening statements, and argue their cases—standing up, speaking out, and navigating the same rules and rituals they’ll face as practicing attorneys. “Trial Practice is a great practical experience,” Luis explains. “We’re learning how to speak up in court, address the judge, and present our case. These are things you can’t really get in a traditional classroom setting.” For Luis, it’s this kind of training that transforms theory into confidence and law students into real advocates.
Serving the Community On Campus and Beyond
Luis’s passion for service shines through in everything he does, whether he’s advocating for Spanish-speaking clients or staying active in student life. Working at a criminal defense firm, he often took intake calls from clients who were navigating both a new language and a new legal system. “There’s a gap you have to bridge for Spanish speakers,” Luis states. “They’re at a disadvantage, not just because of language, but because the whole system is new to them. I want to bridge that gap, to represent people who might otherwise be lost in the process.” That drive to help is what fuels his commitment, both in and out of the courtroom.
He’s now a member of the Criminal Law Association and continues to jump at every opportunity for hands-on learning in Western State’s law clinics, court tours, and practical classes. But for Luis, a work-life balance is really important to be a successful law student. “You need balance. I love going to the beach, exploring Orange County, photography, and staying active,” he says. “Law school takes a long time, but Western State provides us with the resources we need to manage it all.” Whether he’s out hiking, surfing, or spending time with his family and dog, Luis is all about making room for community, connection, and life beyond the books.
The Power of Support at Western State
Ask Luis what sets Western State apart, and he’ll tell you it’s the community, the people. The students share outlines and advice, and the alumni network is always within reach. He also specifically mentions how invested the professors are. “Professors are very helpful; they give us the tools and practical advice we need. In Legal Writing and Research, Professor Sommers shares sample outlines to help us structure our appellate briefs. And in Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure, Professor Rierson gives us step-by-step charts that make it easier to break down and analyze issues,” he explains. “The professors here really want us to succeed—they don’t hide the ball.”
Luis also boasts about Western State helping him find his voice. “I was nervous about speaking up, but the school gives you so many opportunities to practice, get feedback, and improve. Whether you want to be in the courtroom or not, you’ll find your path here.” That support gave him the confidence to engage in public speaking, which once felt intimidating.
Luis is always quick to point out how strong the Western State network is: “I thought it was a smaller school, but everywhere I go, every firm I’ve worked at, attorneys I reach out to, there’s always someone from Western State,” Luis states. “The reputation is strong, and you’ll find our people everywhere.”
For future students who worry they might not fit in, Luis offers some encouragement: “I think it’s very normal to feel scared or not confident. But our school gives us so many resources. You’re going to practice, you’re going to learn, you’re going to get feedback and improve. And if you never want to speak in court, there are other paths in law. Confidence comes with knowing your case and with practice. There’s room for everyone here.”
Embracing Opportunity
Luis Alvarez’s story shows just how much is possible when you find the right place and the right people. From growing up in Canada to navigating community college, earning top honors, and building community for others, Luis has found a home at Western State College of Law, a school that truly lifts up its students. His journey is proof that with support, grit, and an open mind, you can build your own path and help others along the way.
As Western State’s legacy of inclusion, mentorship, and real-world learning keeps growing, students like Luis are showing that the future of law is bright, diverse, and open to anyone ready to step up and seize it.
