Melissa Toribio is a third-year law student at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. She grew up in Los Angeles and loves everything about calling LA home. She is passionate about public interest law and using her legal education to serve and advocate for others. As a student at UC Irvine, she has been part of two pro bono projects focusing on immigration matters and innocence cases. In addition, she serves as an Executive Editor for the UC Irvine Law Review. She has gained hands-on legal experience through the Defending Democracy Clinic, which addresses civil rights issues including police brutality and international human rights. Through her summer employment with the OC Public Defender and LA Alternate Public Defender, she decided to pursue a career in public defense after graduating. Outside of law school, she enjoys hiking, exploring coffee shops, and spending time with her cat, Cinnamon.