Fall 2025 Winner of the Champions of Justice Scholarship

Princess I Egbuchunam

With her law degree, Princess hopes to provide quality representation for those from marginalized communities. From her own life experiences, she has witnessed the importance of having a determined legal advocate. She is excited to begin law school and continue to grow her skills in hands-on clinics. Congratulations, Princess, we admire your commitment to serving others!

Read Her Essay Here:

My professional goal is to become a criminal defense attorney. I am particularly committed to representing individuals from marginalized communities such as those who are too often over-policed, underrepresented, and unfairly penalized due to race, immigration status, or socioeconomic background.

This goal is deeply personal. When I was twelve, my father was indicted and imprisoned on racketeering charges. I watched my family unravel under the weight of a system we didn’t fully understand. I saw the emotional toll it took on my mother, the silence that filled our home, and the helplessness I felt in a courtroom where justice felt distant and inaccessible. What struck me most was the disinterest of my father’s defense attorney, someone who was supposed to be his advocate. That experience has stayed with me ever since and fuels my determination to be a different kind of advocate, one who listens, who fights, and who sees the humanity in every client.

To prepare for this path, I’ve pursued experiences rooted in advocacy and service. As a teen attorney in my local Teen Court, I defended peers facing disciplinary action, helping them receive fair outcomes. Later, as a College Access Coach with College Possible, I mentored first-generation students navigating higher education, many from immigrant and low-income households. Each experience reaffirmed my commitment to public interest law and strengthened my understanding of the unique barriers underserved individuals face, not only in education, but in every major system, including the law.

I have committed to attending Texas A&M School of Law, where I am particularly drawn to the Criminal Defense Clinic and the Innocence Project Clinic. These hands-on opportunities will allow me to support individuals impacted by injustice while gaining the tools to become a more effective advocate.

However, the financial cost of law school remains a major challenge. As someone from a low-income background, a scholarship would significantly reduce the financial burden and allow me to focus on my studies and public interest opportunities rather than worrying about debt. This support would bring me one step closer to becoming the lawyer I needed as a child and the advocate my community deserves.