Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
Choosing Western State: A Community of Support
When Astrid Cardona first walked onto the Western State College of Law campus, she already knew what she wanted from her law school experience: real opportunities to make a difference and a community that cared as much about people as it did about the law. Choosing Western State was anything but random. Astrid remembers how the admissions team set the tone from the very beginning. “The admissions office at Western State always answered my questions and responded to my emails promptly. That really facilitated the process,” she recalls.
As the oldest law school in Orange County, Western State combines history and affordability with results. For example, it recently achieved the highest bar pass rate in California. Astrid’s journey reflects not only her own dedication, but the supportive, accessible, and high-achieving environment that defines Western State’s community.
That sense of support continued, even after she started classes. “I appreciate the collaborative community at this law school. Faculty, staff, and students work together to create a positive and inclusive environment,” she says. What really drew Astrid in, though, were the chances to get hands-on, whether that meant joining a clinic, landing an internship, or stepping into real-world legal work. “One key reason I chose Western State was the access it provides to hands-on opportunities like clinics, internships, externships. And I wanted to learn by actually practicing.”
Consequently, Astrid’s focus on practical experience and genuine community became the foundation for everything that followed—from her growth as a legal advocate to her role as a leader on campus. In fact, her energy and commitment shaped not only her own journey, but also made Western State a better place for everyone.
Advocacy in Action: The Immigration Clinic and Community Partnerships
Astrid’s experience with the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic became one of the defining parts of her law school journey. She joined the clinic in Fall 2024 and later took on a leadership role as an advanced student. Here, she worked closely with Professor Sabrina Rivera. In this role, Astrid represented clients facing complex immigration challenges, sometimes even appearing in court. “The Immigration Clinic has helped me grow as a future attorney, providing me with hands-on experience representing a real client under the supervision of Prof. Rivera,” she explains. “It taught me crucial lawyering skills, including client interviewing and counseling, fact investigation, legal research, problem solving, and advocacy.”
What stood out most to Astrid about immigration law was the people she worked with and real-life impact she witnessed. “Working in the Immigration Clinic has allowed me to apply knowledge from class to real-world cases,” she reflects. “Having the opportunity to represent a client and appear before an immigration judge has given me a deeper understanding of how immigration law operates in practice, and the real impact it has on people’s lives.”
Astrid’s involvement also extended into the local community. She collaborated with organizations like the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project and O.R.A.L.E. (Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation, and Empowerment), providing consultations, guidance, and advocacy for pro se litigants at the Santa Ana Immigration Court and Long Beach. In Fall 2024, she helped organize a pro se asylum clinic. At this clinic, she worked one-on-one with asylum seekers to guide them through the application process. Through these experiences, Astrid saw firsthand that legal education at Western State extends far beyond the classroom. As a result, it can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. In fact, Astrid puts it this way: “I realized change doesn’t just come from policymakers or courts. It can come from community support and collective advocacy.” For this reason, participating in the clinic truly enriched her law school experience.
Even though she has graduated and is no longer a student, Astrid’s commitment to justice and access to legal services continues to inspire both students and faculty at Western State. She now assists the immigrant community in a professional capacity at an immigration law firm. The firm guarantees Astrid an associate attorney position after she passes the July 2025 bar exam.
Student Leadership and Community Impact
Astrid also worked to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment at Western State, making sure every student felt empowered to succeed. Among her many contributions, as Secretary of the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA), Astrid played a key role in securing sponsorships and organizing the landmark Careers in Immigration Law Alumni Panel and Mixer, one of the most successful events last school year. “Helping host ‘Careers in Immigration Law’ was an enriching experience that allowed me to engage deeply with the legal community,” she recalls. “My responsibilities included securing sponsorships, reaching out to distinguished immigration attorneys to be guest speakers, and coordinating event logistics.”
For her, these moments capture what she values most about Western State. “Panels and alumni mixers are essential for law students. They provide opportunities to learn directly from experienced professionals,” she states. “Alumni mixers create space to network with graduates who have navigated the same path. They can offer advice, mentorship, or even job opportunities.” Her biggest takeaway from organizing and participating in these events was, in her own words, “The importance of networking and building lasting professional relationships, which will make a positive impact throughout my legal career.”
The Power of Faculty Mentorship
No law school journey is complete without the support of dedicated mentors. For Astrid, that mentor was Professor Sabrina Rivera, a faculty member who changed the course of her education and career. “The way Professor Rivera teaches, combined with real immigration cases, helped me further understand the practical application of immigration law. Her advocacy is an inspiration to me, and I’ve gained many essential lawyering skills working alongside her and under her supervision.”
Astrid shares, “The Immigration Clinic has truly fueled my passion for immigration law, and it has taught me alternative ways in which I can help make a difference in the immigrant community, regardless of all the ongoing policy changes and obstacles we encounter.”
Giving Back to Western State
Astrid is quick to highlight the community at Western State as a key part of her success. Specifically, she notes, “I’m proud of the opportunities Western State provides for hands-on experience. I’m proud to have participated in the Immigration Clinic at a place where they foster a supportive environment for everyone.”
That sense of belonging continues even after graduation. As an alum, Astrid is eager to give back and support the next generation of students. She is keen on making sure she’s available for school and clinic events that she’s invited to participate in. “I’d be more than happy to be a guest speaker or provide any support Western State needs,” she says. “I want to give back to the school and community. To help students who need advice or guidance, or just want to hear from someone who’s walked the same path.”
When offering advice to current and future students, Astrid is both practical and encouraging. “I highly encourage students to join a clinic to gain hands-on experience working on real cases, interact with clients, and experience what it’s like to practice law as an attorney,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity that allows you to build lasting relationships with professors, attorneys, alumni, students, and community members. These connections can open doors for mentorships, jobs, and future recommendations.”
Her own journey is living proof of the opportunities that come from being active, engaged, and open to new experiences at Western State.
Looking Ahead: Dreams, Awards, and Lifelong Impact
With law school behind her and the bar exam completed, Astrid is focused on the future—one shaped by her dedication to immigrant advocacy and community empowerment. She credits much of her momentum to the support she’s received along the way. This includes her mother’s continuous support throughout her journey, as well as scholarships. In Spring 2024, Astrid was awarded the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association’s Wally Davis Scholarship. The scholarship is named after one of Orange County’s first Latino lawyers. She received it for her academic standing and involvement with the community. In Spring 2025, Astrid also won a prestigious bar stipend from the Latina Lawyers Bar Association. The award is given to aspiring Latina attorneys dedicated to public service. It enabled Astrid to concentrate on her studies while preparing for the bar exam. These scholarships and awards are a reflection of Astrid’s dedication to serving the community.
Astrid has big plans for the years ahead. “Eventually, I want to establish my own immigration law firm,” she explains. “After my involvement with the Immigration Clinic and the ‘Careers in Immigration Law’ event, I realized I want to stay involved with community law schools, clinics, and associations to help create meaningful change.” She plans to give back in any way possible, from mentoring students to sponsoring events or simply showing up to support community initiatives.
But as much as she values professional growth, Astrid is equally committed to staying balanced. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, discovering new cafes, hiking, and relaxing at the beach. For her, these moments outside of work are essential to staying grounded, which is crucial for anyone working in a demanding field like immigration law.
A Lasting Legacy of Leadership and Service
Astrid Cardona’s time at Western State shows the impact one student can have when leadership, empathy, and opportunity come together. From her first client in the Immigration Clinic to the community events she organized, Astrid has demonstrated how practical legal training, strong mentorship, and a sense of community can transform lives, including her own.
Graduates like Astrid are what Western State’s mission is all about: preparing practice-ready lawyers who are ready to make a difference. Her journey reminds us what’s possible when schools give students real responsibility and support. The cases Astrid helped win, the students she encouraged, and the events she brought to life are all part of the legacy she leaves behind—a legacy built on hope, inclusion, and opportunity for the classes yet to come.
As Astrid puts it, “Change doesn’t just come from policymakers, it comes from community support and collective advocacy.” In her career, at Western State, and in every life she touches, Astrid Cardona continues to be proof of exactly that.
