We stood in silence at the top of the fifth. Then, we heard the roar of voices and stomping and clapping. “SELL.THE.TEAM!” The Reverse Boycott – started by fans of the Oakland Athletics and joined by baseball fans like me – gained national attention this summer as word spread through social media. The Oakland Coliseum was more crowded than ever. Baseball fans from around the country attended to persuade the Athletics ownership to stop the process of moving the team to Las Vegas. As Raider fans, we knew that feeling all too well.

I spent my summer finishing my doctoral dissertation on religion, labor, and immigration in California’s Central Valley. While the Reverse Boycott and workers in Fresno might seem unrelated, they are deeply connected to a tradition of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, class-transcending protest and striking in the Golden State. I found myself comparing the organizers of the Reverse Boycott to organizers of the United Farm Workers movement. Of course, fighting for a baseball team is different than demanding a living wage. But the Reverse Boycott named the stadium workers as a reason to stay in Oakland: moving the team would cause several thousand workers who earn their wages at the Coliseum to lose their livelihoods. The crowd was diverse on all fronts: race, ethnicity, religious identity, age, ability. I thought about what this meant for studying law, since Loyola’s orientation was mere weeks away.

I imagine everyone who begins law school is met with the question, “what kind of law?” I can’t answer that question yet: there is too much to explore, and I am enjoying the collective wonder and stress with my peers. I can’t help continuing to admire the Reverse Boycott organizers’ commitment to labor justice and advocacy for many immigrant workers. I am excited to continue the journey and learn.

During the summer of 2023, I went back home to visit my family. I have been living in Los Angeles for the past two years and thus the summers have gained a special meaning. This is the time when I reunite and enjoy my family.

This summer was especially significant to me as it was the first summer that I got to spend time with my father after his surgery. He is in the course of cancer treatment. Needless to say, these months have been emotionally difficult. As an international student attempting to migrate to the United States, my – seemingly – selfish journey has been topped with guilt for being away during such a challenging time.

For this, I spent my summer with my dearest ones. Indeed, the time I’ve spent away has made my heart grow fonder. The sweetest moments felt even more precious with the looming thought that my time with my dad might be limited. Even though I’ve always known that, his disease made it more real.

I am now back to school and devoting myself to my academic endeavors once again. However, a piece of my heart remains with my family. The same heart that is comforted by the hope of spending my next summer with my family, once again.

I spent this past summer working for Andelson Atkinson Loya Ruud and Romo in the Education Law Practice Group. I was tasked with conducting legal research on client questions and writing out memos for the partners who would then send over a response to the clients. Although a large majority of my time with the firm was spent in front of a computer, I was able to hone in my legal research and writing skills. I learned that writing for law school and writing for a partner could be vastly different particularly because many times I was asked to complete my tasks within hours or a day. I also had to become acquainted with saying no to associates or partners which can be daunting given the idea that you always want to make yourself available and put your best foot forward. Nevertheless, it was a skill I am thankful to have gained because burn out is real even as a law clerk.

In between the writing assignments and meetings, the partners made time (usually twice a week) to take us out to lunch and get to know us. They would give me and the other law clerks advice on how to proceed in the legal field and talk to us about their times as clerks. They took us out baseball games, both Angels and Dodgers, and we even got to do an escape room as a team. However, the best part about working at AALRR this past summer was getting to work with my mentor. Elena was a large reason as to why I wanted to work in AALRR. She got my foot in the door with the firm and then continued to support me throughout the summer. At least once a week she would check in and ask me how my week was going, give me some advice, and sometimes talk about the office culture and what I could expect if I came back to work for AALRR. On days I wasn’t in the office, I would spend my time with friends or just do some self-care.