Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
A Standout Law Graduate with a Passion for Leadership
From your very first conversation with Emeli Navarro, a recent graduate from Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable law schools in California, you’ll see her passion and dedication shine brightly and set her apart. She excelled academically while also dedicating herself to making law school feel like home for everyone around her. From her time as co-president of the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) to her commitment to mentorship and networking, Emeli has consistently gone above and beyond, shaping her own path while opening doors for others.
Emeli’s dedication to law and the Latinx community was recently recognized when she was awarded the Latina Lawyer Bar Association (LLBA) July 2025 Bar Stipend. This prestigious award is given to future Latina attorneys demonstrating excellent academics and a strong commitment to the Latinx community.
“My favorite field of law is civil litigation, specifically business,” Emeli shares. She even landed a position as a law clerk at LTL Attorneys, a consumer protection litigation firm. She continues to work there today. But her passion for this field is just one aspect of her broader legacy at Western State, which extends well beyond the classroom.
Finding Community at Western State: The LLSA Experience
For Emeli, joining LLSA was a crucial part of her journey as a 1L law student at Western State. “I joined LLSA when I was a 1L, and there, I had a lot of mentors who were 2L and 3L students at the time. They really showed me the ropes, and showed me that I had a community here,” she recalls. That sense of belonging helped Emeli feel grounded and confident, two things every law student needs when facing the rigors of their first year in law school.
She didn’t stop at being a member. Emeli quickly stepped up to eventually become co-president of LLSA. The role, she says, was about passing on the baton: “I was honored to take the baton and do the same thing for new students coming in as 1Ls as was done for me.” For Emeli, leadership meant paying forward the mentorship and support she’d received. She and Maria Campos Tello, LLSA co-president at the time, were also close friends, roommates, and Moot Court partners. Their friendship is a testament to how tight-knit the LLSA community can be.
The duo’s leadership approach emphasized teamwork and open communication. “For every decision, we asked our board what they wanted and welcomed their suggestions,” Emeli shares. To her, effective leadership means recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses, and being attentive to the needs and perspectives of those around you.
Building a Network Beyond Campus
Emeli’s involvement at Western State extended beyond campus. She played a key role in building relationships with law students from other schools and connecting with professional organizations. Collaborating with student groups from surrounding law schools and bar associations in both Orange County and Los Angeles helped Emeli see the legal community from a broader perspective. “It really broadened my view of the Latino community in the legal field, not just in Orange County but in LA as well. Sometimes you can feel isolated, especially being first-generation and not having people in your family who have done this before. But connecting with other people from the Latino community made me see that there’s a lot more of us out there,” she reflects.
These connections also became a foundation for Emeli’s professional development. Through mixers and mentorship programs organized by the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association (OCHBA), she found guidance and career inspiration. Her mentor, Laura Hassan, who is the current president-elect of OCHBA, had a lasting impact on her. “She has been an extraordinary help. We’ve connected throughout my three years of law school. We’d even go to lunches together. I always know I can reach out to her for anything.”
As a result, Emeli became a familiar face at OCHBA events and is proud of the strong ties she’s developed over time. “I have at least five excellent mentors I’ve kept up with from OCHBA. Because of that, we created a network where, if we need anything, we know who to reach out to, and that goes both ways.”
Bringing Opportunity to Students on Campus
One of Emeli’s most notable contributions as a student was organizing alumni panels and networking events that brought opportunities directly to her peers. The Immigration Clinic Alumni Panel and Mixer, in particular, left a lasting impression. Ask any student who attended, and they’ll probably tell you how inspiring and uplifting it was to hear from alumni during the panel, and then connect with them in person at the mixer—all without leaving campus. Emeli understood that not all law students could attend off-campus events. She explains, “That’s one of the biggest reasons Maria and I wanted to do this event on campus: to bring the networking opportunity to students, because students can’t always go to these events, and it’s so important for them to have those connections.”
Emeli’s role as a student leader gave her unique insight into her classmates’ needs. “We talked to our peers every single day. We heard what they want, what they were looking for, and what prevented them from going to events,” she reflects. By listening closely and responding to these needs, Emeli and her team made student-led events not only accessible, but genuinely valuable for their community.
The result was packed rooms, lively conversations, and countless new connections among students, alumni, and other practicing attorneys. Emeli’s legacy is clear: she helped ensure that opportunity and professional growth were within reach for every student at Western State.
Building a Foundation in Litigation and Leadership
While Emeli is widely recognized for her leadership, she has always been equally committed to academic excellence and hands-on professional growth. As a member of the Honors Moot Court team, she honed her legal research, writing, and public speaking abilities. “With those skills, I was able to get internships and feel confident in my research and writing skills. Moot court helped me practice persuasive legal arguments, something very different from the public speaking I did before. It helped me become more confident in myself in the legal field,” she reflects.
In fact, it was through a mix of networking, persistence, and actively showing up at events that Emeli secured a job at LTL Attorneys. Her journey to the position began when her friend and mentor introduced her to the hiring attorney (a Western State alumna), and Emeli made a point to attend every panel, lunch, and symposium where she could learn from her and demonstrate her interest. “I never sent her my resume or transcript; it was all just based off of us meeting each other, her recognizing my interest, and recommendations from other clerks who knew me through LLSA and OCHBA,” Emeli says.
At LTL Attorneys, Emeli tackled research memos, motions, discovery, and case analysis related to breach of warranty (lemon law) cases. “I got a lot of freedom with my writing, and I think it made me a stronger writer, and hopefully in the future, a better lawyer. My background in moot court really helped me there,” she notes.
Emeli is especially grateful to have worked with a team of Western State alumni, many of whom were LLSA leaders before her, and with partners who are diverse women. “All I’ve experienced and learned is through my peers, the people who taught me how to be a law student, who are now teaching me how to be a law clerk. My boss is very independent and hardworking, a great leader and mentor. I feel lucky to be in this kind of environment.”
Why Western State? A Home for Hardworking Students
Emeli is candid about why she chose Western State: location, scholarship, and, above all, the sense of community. “I came to the admitted students event and heard a lot about community, networking, and how there are so many Western State alumni in Orange County. That really stuck with me,” she recalls. As a new graduate, Emeli is proud of what the Western State community represents. “Western State students are among the most hardworking students. We earn our place everywhere we go, through networking, through our academics,” she states. “There are so many judges, people in big law, and DAs. Western State is a big name in Orange County, and I’m excited to see that name carry even further.”
Looking Ahead: Leadership, Wellbeing, and Giving Back
Emeli’s dedication and advocacy shaped her law school experience and beyond, earning her the LLBA July 2025 Bar Stipend. Now that Emeli has graduated and taken the bar exam, her immediate plans include continuing her work at LTL Attorneys and, after passing the bar, transitioning into an associate role with them. First, however, she looks forward to a well-earned break with family. “These past three years, my family has been so understanding. I definitely think I owe them that time. Not just for them, but for myself. I want to travel and come back refreshed, ready to apply everything I’ve learned,” she says.
Even as she embarks on her legal career, Emeli is already thinking about ways to give back. “Whenever I’m invited to events and I’m able to attend, I’ll definitely be there, especially knowing how much it meant to me as a student when alumni came and spoke,” Emeli shared. “It can get hard to see the end goal, but it’s a nice reminder to have former LLSA presidents come back and see how far they’ve come. I want to do that for current students.”
When reflecting on what’s helped her succeed, Emeli emphasizes the importance of community and self-care. “Connecting with people who are going through the same thing, asking for help, and knowing when to take a break,” Emeli explains. “That’s a really big lesson. It’s not embarrassing to say you need a break, or to ask for help. Prioritizing your own mental health is the biggest thing.”
During her free time, Emeli loves to cook, watch reality TV, and get outside whenever she can. “Cooking has really kept me sane throughout law school. I enjoy making new recipes, meal prepping, and knowing I’m taking care of my health. It helps my mental health, too.”
Celebrating Excellence and Community
Emeli Navarro’s story is one of hard work, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to community. She’s a shining example of what makes Western State College of Law special. Students here don’t just earn a degree; they find a family, build a network, and pave the way for future generations.
Now, as a proud alumna, Emeli’s journey is a strong example of the power of resilience and leadership. Future students at Western State will undoubtedly benefit from the doors Emeli has opened—and the community she helped strengthen during her time here.
