Written by: WSCL Marketing Team
From Anaheim to Advocacy: A Local Leader with a Global Vision
Maria Campos Tello, a 3L at Western State College of Law and co-president of the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) for the 2024-2025 school year, exemplifies what it means to be a student leader. Raised in Anaheim, Maria returned to Southern California to attend law school. Her goal was clear: to give back to her community. “I’ve always said I want to give back to my community, and Western State is in the heart of it,” she shared. “Being a part of the environment that made me who I am was really important to me.”
Maria’s roots in her community run deep, and her connection to Western State is more than academic; it’s personal. After completing her undergraduate studies in Arizona, she was eager to return home and build her legal career in Orange County. Western State, the oldest law school in Orange County, is also one of the most affordable law schools in California. This, combined with its strong reputation, location, and close-knit atmosphere, made it the natural choice for Maria. “It’s a school with history and is in the heart of Orange County, which was important to me,” she emphasized.
Her commitment to community and justice is evident in her choice of immigration law. Since her 1L year, Maria has worked as a law clerk at Fontes Law Group. She handles briefs, motions, appeals, and complex immigration cases. “I do a lot of niche legal research, and that’s really helped me in the workforce,” she said. Her caseload includes work on asylum and U-visa cases for survivors of domestic violence and other crimes.
Leadership Through LLSA: Building Belonging and Opportunity
As co-president of LLSA, Maria has transformed the student experience through leadership and vision. “It’s really important to become part of an organization that provides a platform for students to just be themselves,” she explained. “Coming into law school, I was scared. It was my first time in this kind of field, and I didn’t have anyone in my family who went to law school.”
Through her leadership, Maria has worked to create a welcoming environment for all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. She credits student organizations like LLSA, BLSA (Black Law Students Association), APALSA (Asian Pacific American Law Students Association), and SBA (Student Bar Association) for helping her and others feel at home. “It just fosters a community for students to feel welcomed and feel like they are a part of something,” she said.
Maria and Western State student Emily Navarro, who is also a 3L and co-president of LLSA, have both been at the forefront of some of the year’s most impactful events. Recognizing barriers to attendance for students at important networking events, they organize accessible opportunities for as many students as possible. “We wanted to make sure these networking opportunities were accessible for everyone, especially for our part-time students who have to commute,” Maria said. “That’s why we made sure to host events on campus.”
Connecting Across Campuses and the Profession
Maria’s impact extends beyond Western State. She’s been instrumental in forging bonds between LLSA chapters from other law schools across Southern California. “Meeting with other law students from other schools reinforces the idea of community on a bigger spectrum,” she explained. “At the end of the day, after you’ve done your three years of law school, this will still be your community.”
She emphasizes how important it is to get to know students from other law schools and build a professional network early. “These are the people you’ll be working with, the ones you’ll see at networking events. It’s really important to establish those connections from the start.”
Maria has also been an active member of the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association (OCHBA). “It’s been really empowering,” she said. “It really helps to just know that there’s a strong Latino community of attorneys, judges, and students that have joined the OCHBA.”
Building Real-World Experience
Maria’s real-world legal experience sets her apart. At Fontes Law Group, she’s had the opportunity to do more than just observe, and has directly contributed to cases. “I do a lot of briefs, motions to reopen or terminate, and appeal decisions of the USCIS or immigration judges,” she said. “I also help with asylum cases and U-visas for victims of domestic violence trying to apply for relief.” When speaking about her experience at the firm, Maria said she felt empowered working at Fontes Law Group. “I’ve learned so much about how immigration courts work, how to work with clients, and how to work in a midsize firm, which is new to me.”
Her journey into the firm has shaped her as a budding lawyer and demonstrates the power of networking. Reflecting on her first year when she was invited to an OCHBA mixer by LLSA’s previous president, Maria shared, “I was nervous, but I went to the mixer, introduced myself, and ended up meeting the managing partner and associates from Fontes. So this law clerk position came about through networking for me.”
Creating Opportunities: The Immigration Career Panel
One example of Maria’s outstanding achievements as co-president of LLSA was organizing the immigration career panel and alumni mixer alongside Emily. “It was really important for us to create an event where students could interact with our alumni who are making an impact in the legal community,” she said. They went the extra mile to ensure that the event was inclusive and allowed part-time students who commute to also attend. “Bringing the panel on campus helped make it accessible for everyone.”
The experience helped Maria feel more connected to the Western State alumni network. It also fostered important lasting bonds that will help future LLSA leaders. “What I really liked about putting this event together was the support from admin and faculty and staff,” she explained. “It really strengthens our relationship with the school and makes events like this possible for the future of LLSA. This is something I always keep in mind.”
Preparing for the Future: Graduation and Beyond
With graduation on the horizon, Maria’s plans are as thoughtful as her past efforts. After taking the bar exam in July, she wants to take a short break and travel. Her long-term goal is to become an immigration attorney who handles complex, nuanced cases. She also wants to dedicate time to pro bono work and ensure people are informed of their legal rights. “I want to do legal seminars and inform individuals about their legal rights. Especially with minority and undocumented communities who can’t afford legal services,” she said. “That’s where I want to make a difference.”
As she transitions from student to alumna, Maria plans to remain actively involved with Western State. She sees herself as a lifelong member of the community. “I hope I get invited back to speak at events and alumni mixers and connect current students with practicing attorneys. I really want to give back,” she said.
Advice to Aspiring Future Leaders
To students who want to get involved in leadership roles with school organizations but lack confidence, Maria offers the following advice: “Put yourself out there. Nobody’s going to laugh at you if you mess up or are uncomfortable. We’re a really supportive school,” she asserts. She recommends speaking with previous student leaders like herself, and learning to lean on others and work in a team. Her own leadership journey began by reaching out to past executive board members to learn the ropes. Now she’s committed to mentoring others as well. “Knowing how a student organization runs can be really beneficial and give you the confidence to step into leadership.”
And if there’s no organization that speaks to your identity or interests, create one. “If you’re thinking, ‘We should have an organization like this,’ don’t be afraid. You never know how many students are thinking the same thing but are too scared to do it.”
A Lasting Legacy at Western State
Maria Campos Tello’s leadership with the LLSA, dedication to immigration law, and commitment to giving back have already left a lasting mark at Western State. “Western State holds a special place in my heart,” she said, “and I want to continue being a part of this community.” Her commitment to service and leadership sets an inspiring example for future generations of legal professionals. With students like Maria leading the way, the future of Western State, and the legal profession, looks very bright.
