Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
From Reluctant Leader to Campus Trailblazer
Karlee Fay Wilkinson didn’t initially see herself as a leader when she arrived at Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of California’s most affordable law schools. She described herself as a student who preferred to focus on academics without engaging much in extracurricular activities. But everything changed during her first week at Western State, when her ILM (Introduction to Learning Methods) professor at the time, Christopher Boatman (Class of 2014), encouraged the class to make non-academic goals. Karlee wrote that she wanted to build closer connections with her peers and professors. This gradually led her to take on leadership roles and embark on a transformational journey.
“If I hadn’t gone out of my way to make sure that I’m being involved and getting to know my peers and my professors, I would not have made it through law school,” she said. Law school is hard, she reflected, but when you know you’re not the only one struggling, it makes a difference. Today, Karlee is a 3L pursuing her passion for criminal defense and civil rights law. She is also one of the most visible and influential student leaders on campus. She served as the 2024-2025 Student Bar Association (SBA) President. Before that, she played a pivotal role in reviving OUTLaw, Western State’s LGBTQ+ student organization.
Reviving OUTLaw: A Labor of Love
As an LGBTQ+ student at Western State, Karlee began her journey with OUTLaw in her second semester. She ran for social chair, driven by a desire to support her community and contribute more actively to the organization. Her commitment and leadership skills soon became evident, leading to her appointment as president.
Karlee got to work immediately. “I spent entire days making vegan s’more cookies and pumpkin cream cheese bread for bake sales.” She purchased a cash box with her own money and requested a locker on campus to store the club’s materials. When SBA’s first “Meet the Clubs” event came around, she ransacked her apartment for anything pride-related to decorate the table.
“OUTLaw was one of the reasons I applied to Western State,” Karlee said. “Having OUTLaw on the Western State campus not only shows prospective students that they can join a club and find other people like them, but that they are also safe here.” For many LGBTQ+ students, the presence of an organization like OUTLaw is more than a plus—it’s a deciding factor. It signals that a school welcomes and supports queer students, not just in words but in action.
Her work paid off. OUTLaw is an active, thriving organization with strong student participation and faculty support. Karlee credits OUTLaw not just for giving her leadership experience, but for changing her life. “Had I not been president of OUTLaw, I wouldn’t have run for SBA, wouldn’t have gotten involved as much as I did in the student orgs, wouldn’t have gotten to know all the different presidents. I owe a great deal of my accomplishments to being involved in OUTLaw.”
Rising to Lead: Serving as SBA President
While she initially had no intention of running for SBA, Karlee was encouraged by her classmates. Their support gave her the push she needed. “My main goal as SBA President was to make sure all our student organizations were taken care of,” she said. “After COVID, many orgs had to start over. I wanted to ensure all student orgs received funding to help pay for things like bar reviews, meet the club events, and food for general meetings.”
Karlee’s presidency was marked by a focus on equity and student support. She initiated programs to ensure all student organizations received the necessary funding and resources. “I wanted to make sure that all student orgs were set up for success,” she stated.
Discovering a Legal Calling
Alongside her leadership roles, Karlee always had a keen interest in criminal law. However, she harbored doubts about her ability to succeed as a trial attorney due to the demanding nature of courtroom proceedings. “I did theater in high school and undergrad, so I can memorize a script and improvise. But I wasn’t sure how that would translate to a courtroom,” she shared.
It wasn’t until she took Western State’s criminal trial practice course, taught by Adjunct Professor Joseph Dane (Class of 1995), that everything clicked. “We did a mock murder trial for our final, and I left thinking, ‘Yes, this is 100% what I want to do.’ Not all law schools can give their students an opportunity to get a taste of what it’s really like.”
Her passion also extends to civil rights law. “With criminal defense and civil rights, it’s usually one person or a small group of people that are being harmed,” she explained. “I believe that everyone deserves equality, respect, and due process under the law, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, or race.”
Representing with Pride
A defining moment for Karlee as an LGBTQ+ student at Western State came in a legal writing class with Professor Zoha Khan (Class of 2015). When a student asked what professional attire meant, Khan responded that professionalism is often used to police women’s bodies. That moment stuck with Karlee, who regularly faces criticism for her appearance. “I have tattoos, I wear bright makeup on my face, and wear pink suits,” she said. “Having a professor affirm that was empowering. I realized I don’t have to change who I am to be a professional.”
Karlee believes representation and visibility are crucial in the legal field because they challenge stereotypes and foster trust, making it easier for clients to relate to and open up to their attorneys. She argues that while attorneys are often seen as stuffy and bland, seeing queer people in law being unapologetically themselves can help break these stereotypes and build trust. “One of my friends once told me, ‘If I saw an attorney that looked like you, I’d feel like I could open up to them.’ That’s why visibility matters,” she explained.
Beyond the Classroom
Karlee’s activism extends beyond the campus grounds of the ABA-accredited institution. She is involved with the Orange County Lavender Bar Association, an LGBTQ+ legal organization. “Lavender has deep roots in queer history. During times when being out was dangerous, people wore something with lavender on it to signal to each other,” she said. Involvement with Lavender connects her to this legacy.
She also partnered with the immigration clinic at Western State to assist pro se asylum seekers at the Orange County LGBTQ Center. “I went to the different asylum clinics and helped people fill out their information. It was a great experience and opportunity to be able to help not just our community, but other communities as well.”
Outside of law school, Karlee is a dance studio manager in Newport Beach. In her downtime, she watches reality TV shows. “I watch a LOT of Bravo reality TV with my dog, Frankie. I’ve seen Vanderpump Rules so many times I can identify the episode from a single frame.”
Western State Proud
When asked what makes her Western State Proud, Karlee had two answers: “The dinosaurs around campus,” she joked, “and the faculty who take a stand for marginalized communities.” The dinosaurs, part of a beloved Western State tradition, are toy figurines that mysteriously move around campus, creating a whimsical game of hide-and-seek that adds a touch of fun to law school life.
Karlee specifically mentioned Dean Marisa Cianciarulo for her leadership and allyship. “Dean Cianciarulo has made sure we know where the school stands. Western State supports diversity, stands against hate, and supports marginalized students.”
She also praised the faculty for creating an inclusive environment. “We have professors who are either openly LGBTQ+ or strong allies. Western State has made it clear that bigotry and homophobia aren’t tolerated.” This kind of support has been especially meaningful to Karlee as an LGBTQ+ student at Western State College of Law—and to many others seeking a welcoming, inclusive environment.
A Call to Future LGBTQ+ Law Students
Karlee has a simple message for LGBTQ+ students considering law school: “Do it. We are at a time where we are actively seeing legal attacks on our community, and our rights are being picked apart. There needs to be more of us fighting for our rights, and we need to be louder.” She cites LGBTQ+ activist Larry Kramer as a personal role model. “Much like me, he never intended to be an activist. He became one when no one else would speak out during the AIDS epidemic.”
As an LGBTQ+ student at Western State, Karlee Wilkinson has built a legacy of compassion, advocacy, and bold leadership. Through her work with OUTLaw, SBA, and the broader community, she has made an indelible mark on the school. As she continues her journey, she’s only getting started.
