The Justice Center has awarded five scholarships to third-year law students in recognition of outstanding public service. These include the Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law and the Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship, which honor alumni whose careers reflected a deep commitment to public service.
“These scholarships honor the extraordinary legacies of Judge Justice and Chris Marshall and the incredible students who carry those values forward,” said Nicole Simmons, Director of the William Wayne Justice Center. “Each of this year’s scholars has shown a sustained commitment to public service and we are proud to support them as they prepare to serve communities across Texas and beyond.”
Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law
The Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law was established in 1997 as a bequest of Elizabeth Parrish to be awarded to “a third-year law student who evidences a commitment to promoting, as an attorney, civil rights and civil liberties in the United States.” William Wayne Justice ’42 served as the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas before being appointed to the federal bench in 1968, where he served for over forty years. Judge Justice worked courageously to protect civil rights, uphold constitutional freedoms, and ensure equal justice for all.
The class of 2026 scholar:
Brady Miller is an Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review and the Managing Editor of the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights. He serves on the Executive Board Member of GRITS (Getting Radical In The South) and is a member of the Public Interest Law Association and the American Constitution Society. Brady has participated in both the Civil Rights and Environmental clinics. After his 1L year, Brady worked with the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Civil Rights Bureau and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Following his 2L year, he interned with NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship
The Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship is awarded annually to third-year students of outstanding academic excellence who plan to remain in Texas after graduation to practice public service law in nonprofit, government, or legislative positions. Clyde Christopher Marshall ’77 was a Tarrant County assistant district attorney, chief of the Tarrant County district attorney’s appellate division, and a statewide leader in appellate law. Gift funds for the scholarship endowment were donated in honor of Mr. Marshall by family, friends, and colleagues.
The class of 2026 scholars:
Abigail Gutierrez serves on the Texas Law Alumni Association Student Steering Committee and previously volunteered as a peer mentor for the Public Interest Law Association. She is currently an advanced student in the Children’s Rights Clinic. After her 1L year, Abigail interned with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid’s Family Defense Project. The summer after her 2L year, she interned with the Travis County Office of Parental Representation. Following graduation, Abigal plans to advocate for Texas parents in child welfare cases.
Peyton Holstein is a Staff Editor for the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties & Civil Rights and a member of the Public Defense Group, Women’s Law Caucus, and Board of Advocates. She has participated in the Capital Punishment, Criminal Defense, and Actual Innocence clinics. After her 1L year, Peyton interned with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Texas in the Capital Habeas Unit. Following her 2L year, she interned with the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense in the Capital Trial Division. After graduation, Peyton plans to remain in Texas to work in criminal legal reform and capital defense.
Angelina Ramirez is an Expunction Project Pro Bono Scholar and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy. She previously served as a Human Rights Scholar with the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice, a board member of the Public Interest Law Association, a member of the Change It Up ’24 planning committee, and a 1L representative for the Chicano/Hispanic/Latino Law Students’ Association. Angelina is currently a student in the Disability Rights Clinic and previously participated in the Civil Rights, Immigration and Human Rights clinics. After her 1L year, she interned with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and after her 2L year, she interned with the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP). Following graduation, Angelina will return to TCRP as a Manne Family Foundation Legal Fellow.
Grant Shellhouse serves on the Justice Center’s Student Advisory Board as a Public Service Scholar. He is also an Academic Success Fellow for the Texas Law Society Program, a board member of the Environmental Law Society, Senior Staff Editor of the Texas Environmental Law Journal, and a member of the Texas Law Alumni Association Student Steering Committee. Grant has participated in the Environmental Clinic. After his 1L year, he worked with the Office of the General Counsel at the United States Department of Agriculture. Following his 2L year, he interned with Earthjustice in its Gulf Regional Office. After graduation, he will clerk for Judge Dustin M. Howell of U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. After his clerkship, Grant plans to continue fighting for environmental equity in Texas.