Doctor of Jurisprudence
Loyola University
School of Law
New Orleans, Louisiana 
Civil Law, 1998

    • Jurisprudence (L 882) 
    • Constitutional Law Seminar (L 877) 
    • International Law Seminar (L 884) 
    • Law and Poverty (L 781) 
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is a private law school in New Orleans, Louisiana affiliated with Loyola University New Orleans. Loyola's law school opened in 1914 and is now located on the Broadway Campus of the University in the historic Audubon Park District of the city.
Public Service Award
The Poverty Law Center recognizes Loyola students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to social justice for the disadvantaged.  Recipients are chosen from nominations submitted to the Gillis Long office.  Awards are presented at a ceremony each spring.
Loyola University of New Orleans, College of Law, Graduation, 16 May 1998

President:
Public Interest Law Group

Legal Intern:
Loyola Student Affairs
During law school, I was a member and officer of the Public Interest Law Group (LPILG), serving as Treasurer ('95 - '96) and as President ('96 - '97).

The Group has an interest in providing legal services to those who are traditionally underrepresented. LPILG members are  interested in a variety of areas of public interest law including: providing legal services to the poor, civil rights work, working as public prosecutors or public defenders, and/or working for other non-profit or public service organizations.
During the spring semester of 1997, I served as a legal intern for Dr. Vicki McNeil, the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs.  The focus of the internship was Loyola's student judicial process and the Family Educational Right to Privacy Act.

I participated in student disciplinary cases as a Hearing Officer, and conducted a legal evaluation of the student code of conduct.  I also served on the "Early Warning Committee," an early detection and intervention effort which involved all of the units within Student Affairs.

Student Practitioner:
Loyola University Law Clinic

During the fall semester of 1996, I was admitted to the limited practice of law in the State of Louisiana, pursuant to Rule XX of the Louisiana Supreme Court, which governs student practitioners in law school clinical programs. 

The program provides legal services to indigent clients who are proceeding in forma pauperis.  I worked under the direct supervision of Prof. Luz Molina, and together we represented a variety of clients in cases dealing with issues such as immigration, divorce and retirement benefits. 

I interviewed clients, made court appearances, and wrote an appellant brief to the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in an immigration case.

Legal Intern: 
St. Mary's Student Affairs

During the summer of 1995, I was a legal intern for Karen Johnson, the Dean of Students at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.  The internship was sponsored by a grant from the Loyola Public Interest Law Group Summer Grant Program.  In the Student Life Office, I conducted research on sexual harassment law and the university's policies and procedures.

During the summer of 1996, I again worked for Karen Johnson, the Dean of Students.  I examined the university's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This involved legal research and writing, contacting relevant state and federal government agencies, and gathering support materials from private not-for-profit organizations.

The Loyola University Law School Clinic

Picture
[Text posted on December 18, 2017] "Thirty seven years ago today, Ramona Fernandez and Luz Molina began working at the Loyola Law Clinic. Ramona has worked here continuously for the last 37 years. Luz spent some time with Legal Services and has worked here for 28 years. They have taught and helped thousands of people in our community. They exemplify our Loyola goals of education for and service with others. Thanks friends for being such key members of our Loyola social justice team!"

Research Assistant:
Jeanne M. Woods

Research Assistant:
Kathryn V. Lorio

Research Assistant:
Frederick W. Swaim, Jr.

Most Memorable Professor:
William P. Quigley

New Orleans, Louisiana