Introducing the 2024–2025 Gregoire Fellows
As part of a continuing partnership to increase professional diversity, eight first-year UW Law students are named Gregoire Fellows.
The University of Washington School of Law is proud to announce its 2024–2025 Gregoire Fellows: Paulette Bussard, Lilya Garzon-Boyd, Peyton Hammed, Attiya Khan-Mullins, Stefania Kristjansson, Chae Young (Stella) Moon, Meghan Wei and Rachel Wells.
Since 2015, the Gregoire Fellows Program has attracted diverse and talented students to UW Law and connected them with leading Puget Sound area businesses, governmental organizations and law firms committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession.
Through the Gregoire Fellows Program, students receive paid summer internships, which split their summer work assignments between a participating law firm, a corporate legal department and a governmental entity after the first year of law school. Students also receive scholarship aid and financial assistance for bar exam preparation. Additionally, the fellows participate in a mentorship program with former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire.
The Gregoire Fellows Program is made possible thanks to generous support from the following sponsors:
Law Firms
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- K&L Gates LLP
- Lane Powell PC
- Ogden Murphy Wallace PLLC
- Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Pacifica Law Group LLP
- Perkins Coie LLP
- Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PC
- Stoel Rives LLP
Organizations
- Amazon
- King County Prosecutor’s Office
- Microsoft Corp.
- Nintendo of America Inc.
- Starbucks Corp.
- Vale Group (fmr. Vulcan LLC)
- Washington State Attorney General
- Weyerhaeuser Co.
- Moss Adams
Paulette Bussard
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, University of Washington
Throughout her undergraduate studies and after graduating from the University of Washington, Paulette Bussard worked as a legal assistant at a civil rights law firm focused on prisoner and employee rights where she had the opportunity to engage in substantive legal research and writing. Bussard also interned at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of Washington. Both work experiences honed her vision of the law and her desire to uplift disadvantaged communities.
“I am excited to blend my past work experiences in the public interest and around Latinx heritage with the skills and knowledge afforded to me through this fellowship and to ultimately promote a more diverse and inclusive environment in the Seattle legal community,” Bussard said.
Lilya Garzon-Boyd
Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Washington
While a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of Washington, Lilya Garzon-Boyd used her voice and privilege to create change and address historical inequities. Her senior thesis was titled “Acknowledging Emotional Gaps in the Archive: The Use of Novels to Contemplate Black Masculinity After Emancipation (1870s to 1950s).” In her thesis, Garzon-Boyd contemplated how conventional archives tend to systemically ignore and erase historical accounts, especially for those in racially marginalized groups. In her work at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, Garzon-Boyd collected oral histories for the museum and the Redlining Heritage Trail project, a walking tour of the city that highlights how structural inequalities have shaped the layout of the city.
“I understand how a lack of mentorship and workforce experience can be detrimental. The Gregoire Fellowship Program creates irreplaceable pathways for students to gain legal experience,” said Garzon-Boyd. “Through the experiences gained from this fellowship, I plan to battle for those who do not have a voice and work to bridge the gaps of inequality that are still present to this day within the legal field.”
Peyton Hammed
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Peyton Hammed is a former creative marketing professional who worked in the political and public affairs space following his undergraduate studies. He has traveled around the country, working alongside influential advocacy organizations, nonprofits and well-known brands, with a portfolio of work that has amassed millions of views and won numerous industry awards. Hammed has seen the myriad ways in which the law was used to both help and harm underrepresented communities.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I cannot overstate what an honor it is to receive the Gregoire Fellowship,” said Hammad. “I know this opportunity will open many doors for me that would have otherwise remained closed, and I am eager to leverage my unique perspective to effect positive change in the community both during and beyond my legal studies at the University of Washington School of Law.”
Attiya Khan-Mullins
Bachelor of Arts in Government (International Relations) with a Minor in English (Creative Writing), Dartmouth College
Attiya Khan-Mullins has previous legal experience in immigration law, employment law, criminal defense and students’ rights. As a legal assistant at Buttar and Cantor LLP throughout college, Khan-Mullins helped manage asylum claims and provided translation services. After college, Khan-Mullins worked at Zalkind Duncan and Bernstein, LLP in Boston as a Paralegal responsible for managing the caseloads of three attorneys.
“I hope to not only serve my community by providing quality legal services, but also to inspire young South Asian women to consider law as a possible career path,” said Khan-Mullins. “South Asian women remain underrepresented in the profession, and I believe they have an important perspective to bring to the wider field that is currently absent.”
Stefania Kristjansson
Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Marketing, University of Alaska at Anchorage
Stefania Kristjansson spent over five years in public service with the state of Alaska inspecting rural leases, reviewing mining claims and adjudicating applications to purchase land. Her most meaningful experiences included helping families navigate complicated projects to keep their homes where they have stood for over fifty years. She learned how the law affects everyday people and how today’s choices have impacts decades later. These lessons inspired her pursuit of legal education to empower others.
“I am honored to be selected as a Gregoire Fellow and believe it’s an opportunity for growth and learning that will help me serve my community better during my career. I have seen how our community would benefit from increased access to justice and from representation by people who share their background and perspective,” said Kristjansson. “I am excited to listen and learn from others in this fellowship and look forward to experiences that shape how I show up as a positive contributor in the legal field.”
Chae Young (Stella) Moon
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, University of California at Los Angeles
Stella Moon’s career spans the media, market research and legal sectors. Throughout these diverse experiences, she has gained a deep appreciation for linguistic nuance and the power of words. She has also gained valuable insights into human behavior and unmet societal needs, insights she now applies to better serve her clients. While working at a law firm, she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by immigrant communities, which ultimately inspired her to become an attorney dedicated to advancing legal literacy.
“Preventive care is essential in healthcare, yet in law, particularly within underserved communities, we often wait for crises before taking action. Through my work with immigrant entrepreneurs, I witnessed how a lack of legal literacy led to reactive responses, where a proactive approach could have minimized or even prevented damage,” said Moon. “As a Gregoire Fellow, I aim to bridge this gap by promoting a demand-centric approach to legal literacy, empowering vulnerable populations to navigate legal issues proactively. This shift will foster more equitable access to justice, benefiting both individuals and society.”
Meghan Wei
Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies, University of Washington at Bothell
Master of Jurisprudence, University of Washington School of Law
Meghan Wei moved from Canada to Germany for work in early adulthood, then immigrated to the United States where she worked with at-risk youth in New Hampshire. In Washington, Wei completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees and has enjoyed her time as a volunteer court-appointed special advocate (CASA) with King County. She is a passionate advocate for immigrant rights and survivors of domestic violence. As a stay-at-home parent to her two children for the past seven years, Wei has been active in the Mandarin-immersion education community on the Eastside.
“I am honored to be named a Gregoire Fellow and know that it represents an incredible opportunity as I begin my legal career,” said Wei. “The Gregoire Fellowship will expand and enforce my education, confidence and experiences, enabling me to be a more impactful advocate to communities in need of representation in the future.”
Rachel Wells
Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing, Tulane University
Rachel Wells has four years of experience as a contracts specialist in the aerospace industry and completed a three-year contracts leadership program. In college, Rachel was awarded the Dean’s Service Award for her dedication to community outreach as she supported local public defenders and tutored prospective first-generation college students. Rachel bridged her demonstrated passion for community service with her business background, leading corporate fundraising events benefiting military families.
“As a first-generation law student, I will significantly benefit from the Gregoire Fellows Program’s internships and mentorship. I am eager to explore how to skillfully balance technology, ethics and inclusion for a future career in corporate or technology law,” said Wells. “The Gregoire Fellows Program will provide me with the tools to become an impactful leader in law by incorporating genuine community impact.”
