James Martines - 2022 Student Honoree

I joined the NLG because I needed be around people that knew radical change was possible and who came into the field of law guided by their love of people and not the pursuit of profit. I’m a high school dropout from a working-class family, but I am privileged. I have had the privilege of gaining a law degree. Before I started law school, I met Buck Davis who told me that when you have privilege you can’t just give it back, so you should do something good with it. That’s what I aim to do as a law student and eventually as a lawyer. 

I’m honored to work with and learn from so many wonderful NLG members. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with fellow board member Sean Riddell on eviction defense and civil rights cases for the last two years. Sean has been an excellent mentor and friend. I plan on continuing the type of work we’ve done together after school. I also hope to continue to work alongside my other fellow board members, LO’s,  folks at Wayne Law, and anyone else committed to the liberation of all peoples.