Catholic Law students Allison Baglini (2L) and Aliza Gray '24 had an unforgettable experience representing clients in cases before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia during the spring 2024 semester.

Baglini and Gray are certified student attorneys at Catholic Law’s Families and the Law Clinic (FALC). Supervised by Professor Catherine Klein, Director of Columbus Community Legal Services (CCLS), these students recently received favorable rulings on all issues in their respective clients’ custody and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases in the Superior Court.

As one of the pro-bono law firms housed in CCLS, the home of clinical education at Catholic Law, FALC helps students develop their lawyering skills and professional values through actual experience representing clients from the local community. Students take on cases of domestic violence, family law, and immigration law. Students have full responsibility for every aspect of their case—from interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting legal memoranda and pleadings, preparing and arguing motions, to conducting trials before the Superior Court and other local courts.

Baglini and Gray have participated in the clinic since fall 2023. Taking the clinic across two semesters, they were able to oversee the entire life span of their client’s SIJS case from drafting the initial pleadings to obtaining a favorable ruling. This also allowed the student attorneys to establish rapport and build a special relationship with their client.

SIJS proceedings allow family members in the United States to obtain custody over a juvenile who has been abandoned or abused by family in their home country, and provides a path to status in the United States. As a result of Baglini and Gray’s excellent advocacy, the Superior Court granted their client custody of his minor sister, who had been abandoned and neglected by her biological parents in their home country.

Both students spoke highly about their experiences with the cases and the clinic. “Working in FALC has been the highlight of my law school experience,” Baglini shared. “The relationships we established with our incredible clients, supervisors, and fellow classmates have had a profound impact in shaping the kind of lawyer and advocate I want to be, and the practical experience we have gained will stick with me throughout my legal career.”

Their client was extremely grateful to CCLS and its student attorneys for all their hard work on the case. After the Honorable Julie Breslow ruled in his favor, the client remarked how appreciative he was for the work which Baglini and Gray had done and noted that, while he could never repay the work the student attorneys did, he believed God would bless them infinitely.

“I can’t think of a better way to cap off my law school career than working with FALC,” Gray added. “I was routinely inspired by the dedication, hard work, and empathy exhibited by my supervisors, peers, and the clients alike. Additionally, the hands-on experience I was able to gain in a relatively short time has left me feeling well prepared to begin my career confidently.”

Baglini and Gray “have been brilliant, dedicated, and zealous advocates from their very first meeting with this client,” added Klein. “They jumped right in, quickly researched the law to find the most persuasive case theory, drafted and filed sophisticated court pleadings, and did everything necessary to prepare themselves and their witnesses for the court hearing, including holding mooting sessions in Slowinski Courtroom.”

Klein is also excited for these students’ future and confident that their experience in FALC has prepared them well: “Aliza is graduating soon and will be joining a district attorney’s office in California. Allison is in the Navy and will be joining Navy JAG after graduation next year. I’m confident that both are very well prepared and have the skills and values to be outstanding lawyers.”