Hometown:
Valencia, California

Undergraduate:
UC Santa Barbara,
Sociology and Women’s Studies
Graduation: May 2008

Awarded:
Alumni Endowed Scholarship

It might be easier to ask Leslie Ramos what type of law she doesn’t enjoy. “That’s the better question for me. There are so many areas that I’m interested in,” she says.

As an undergrad, Ramos toyed with becoming a social worker, but opted for law school instead, explaining, “I just thought I might have more power to help people as a lawyer.”

At UC Santa Barbara, Ramos worked with an AIDS organization, produced videos on women’s bodies and eating disorders, and helped present a sexual education program for the campus’ fraternities and sororities.

“Women’s health issues have always been important to me,” says Ramos, president of the Pacific McGeorge Health Law Association and the daughter of a nurse.

Ramos also enjoys the work she has done the past few years with the Sacramento County Public Defender. She started out in the juvenile division and now works in misdemeanors, interviewing clients, writing motions and tending to other tasks.
“It gives me a broader based understanding of people that are outside of my daily experience,” says Ramos. “I like working with the people. I also like being in court a lot. It’s fast-paced and a good experience.”