Create Change Fall 2025
Executive Director's Message
Executive Director’s Message
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”
— Nelson Mandela, human rights lawyer
This is my last week at Stanford Law School, after two fantastic years working with the Levin Center. I’m grateful for having had the chance to work with such a fun, hardworking and supportive team, and I’ve also learned so much from our incredible students and alumni.
Two years flies by, yet these particular two years were so eventful as to feel longer. When I joined SLS in the summer of 2023, students were already wondering whether it was safe to speak out against powerful figures, and whether they would face retaliation and harassment for doing so, due to events on campus that spring. But not long after, law students — and lawyers — would also face dramatically escalated repression and punishment for speaking out against American complicity in genocide, would see the gutting of DEI efforts and attacks on the most basic elements of due process for immigrants, and would face a job market rocked by federal mass layoffs as well as economic and legal uncertainty for many nonprofits. Amidst those horrors, it’s been an absolute honor to work with people — our students and alumni, my Levin Center teammates, other SLS staff and faculty — who care about doing what is right. Our students are committed to using the law creatively to fight for basic dignity and safety for everyone. I can’t wait to see what they continue to do in the world as lawyers.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Create Change.
Sincerely,
Shannon
Students Embark on Pro Bono Service
The Pro Bono Program is off to a flying start, with a record number of incoming students–196, to be exact–applying to participate in one or more of the Program’s 25 projects. On September 18, the Levin Center hosted the annual Pro Bono Fair, where 2L and 3L project leaders introduced incoming JD and advanced degree students to their impactful work. Over 85% of 1Ls, 26 advanced degree, and 6 transfer students applied to participate in projects, breaking several records for participation. Most of the students have already begun their work helping tenants fight eviction, immigrants assert their rights, and reproductive justice nonprofits advocate for legislative change. For more information on each of the project, please visit the Pro Bono Program’s website and the websites for each of the 25 projects.
Alumni in the News
We are always excited to share news of our SLS Public Interest and Public Service alumni. Please feel free to forward us links to include in future issues.
Charlotte Finegold, JD ’24, legal fellow in the Environment and Human Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, researched co-wrote the report “Waiting for God”: Flood Displacement and Planned Relocation of Fisherfolk in Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Jennifer Friedmann, JD ’22, joined the Natural Resources Defense Council as a legal fellow.
Nancy Glass, JD ’08, joined the Policing Project at NYU School of Law as senior counsel on the litigation team.
A.D. Sean Lewis joined Lambda Legal as senior attorney in the Western Regional Office.
About Create Change
Create Change is designed and produced quarterly by the staff of the John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law. Unless specifically noted, all articles are written by staff.
Associate Dean for Public Service and Public Interest Law: Anna Wang
Executive Director: Shannon Al-Wakeel
Director, Pro Bono and Externship Programs: Mike Winn
Director, Public Interest Career Development Program: Shafaq Khan
Director, International Public Interest Initiatives: Kevin Lo
Program Manager: Melanie Stone
Research Assistants: Arjun Ayyapan, BA ’26
To be notified when new issues of the newsletter are available, please visit this website.
Create Change is published via email and past issues are available on our website. Articles, letters, and photos are welcome. Please send them to public.interest@law.stanford.edu.
Visit us on the web at:
law.stanford.edu/levin-center
www.facebook.com/levin-center
