Rachel Sznajderman
“I plan to spend my career fighting for decarceration and the humane treatment of incarcerated people. I'm going to law school, and specifically chose to attend UT, because I believe the skills and experience gained here will shape me to be the best possible advocate for people incarcerated in jails and prisons. This scholarship will allow me to do so in community with students and faculty whose values and visions for the future reflect my own. I cannot think of a better environment in which to pursue my legal education.”
Rachel Sznajderman graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where she majored in political science and sociology. As an undergraduate, she interned with the ACLU of Missouri and ArchCity Defenders. After graduating from college in 2021, she worked as a corrections specialist for New York County Defender Services in New York City. She advocated for clients incarcerated in city jails, particularly Rikers Island. Rachel is interested in public defense and would also like to explore prisoners’ rights litigation.
Rachel spent the summer after 1L interning at the Federal Defenders of New York in their Eastern District office. Rachel is currently in the Criminal Defense Clinic and will join the Immigration Clinic in the Spring. She is also on the board of the Public Interest Law Association, the Public Interest Director for OUTLaw, and an Executive Editor for the American Journal of Criminal Law. This summer, Rachel will join the Alaska Public Defender Agency in Kenai, Alaska.