The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law has selected six students as its 2026–27 Public Service Scholars. Through their leadership, service, and engagement with the public interest community, the scholars will help the Justice Center develop programs and initiatives that connect Texas Law students with opportunities to serve the public.
“Our Public Service Scholars play an important role in connecting students with the Justice Center and strengthening the culture of service at Texas Law,” said Nicole Simmons, director of the Justice Center. “This year’s scholars bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we are excited to work with them.”
Meet the 2026-27 Public Service Scholars:
Alexis Boehmer ’28 serves on the board of the Public Interest Law Association. During her 1L year, she volunteered with the Mithoff Pro Bono Program’s Expunction Project and SPEAK. After her 1L year, Alexis interned with the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Criminal Legal Program, where she researched civil rights issues including qualified immunity and claims brought under Section 1983.
Jake Exler ’28 is a Pro Bono Scholar and team lead for the Driver’s License Recovery Project. He also serves as events director for the American Constitution Society and as a board member of the Public Interest Law Association. During his 1L year, Jake volunteered with the Driver’s License Recovery and Expunction projects. After his 1L year, he interned with the Legal Aid Society’s Consumer and Bankruptcy Law Project in Queens, where he assisted clients facing debt-related legal issues. This fall, he is participating in the Housing Policy Clinic.
Mary Roberts ’28 is a Pro Bono Scholar with the Parole Project and a Public Interest Law Association board member. As a 1L, she served as a team lead for the Parole Project and volunteered with the Expunction Project. After her 1L year, Mary interned with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas. This fall, she is participating in the Capital Punishment Clinic.
Cassandra Schwartz ’28 is a Pro Bono Scholar with the Expunction Project, president of OUTLaw, a student in the Civil Rights Clinic, and a member of the Texas Law Review. Throughout her 1L year, Cassandra volunteered with eight pro bono projects, including the Driver’s License Recovery, Parole, Bench Book, and Expunction projects. After her 1L year, she clerked with the Travis County Public Defender’s Office, where she identified and researched suppression issues, drafted motions, and observed and practiced bond hearings and pre-hearing client interviews.
Mina Shekarchi ’28 serves on the Texas Law Fellowships board, is a member of the Public Interest Law Association, and is participating in the Environmental Clinic. During her 1L year, she volunteered with the Pro Bono Parole Project and became involved with Empowered for Public Interest and the Environmental Law Society. After her 1L year, Mina served as a Fair and Just Prosecution fellow with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. During the fellowship, she led a policy project examining gaps in firearm-surrender protocols associated with domestic violence protective orders.
Ava Stuart ’28 is the public interest director for the Women’s Law Caucus, an executive board member of the Public Interest Law Association, a staff editor for the American Journal of Criminal Law, and an assistant producer for Assault & Flattery. She is also participating in the Civil Rights Clinic. During her 1L year, Ava volunteered with the Parole Project and Workers Defense’s Employment and Legal Services Team. After her 1L year, she clerked with the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Criminal Legal Program.