Monique Ramirez
Monique first knew that she wanted to be a courtroom advocate at the age of nine, when she witnessed a family member receive a nineteen-year sentence as a first-time youth offender. Ever since, she developed a passion for being a voice for indigent and vulnerable populations. Monique earned her bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies with a minor in Human Rights from San Jose State University. During her time at San Jose State, she developed a passion for inmate reentry and prisoner’s rights when she interned with rehabilitation agencies that provided inmates with programming and resources. During her time at GGU, Monique was a finalist in the Spring 2021 Cross and Close Competition, she completed the 1st STEP program in the summer of 2021, she won first place in the Fall 2021 Golden Griffin Challenge and competed in the Fall 2021 King of the Hill competition on GGU’s National Mock Trial Team. Monique also participated as an advocate for GGU’s “ghost team” in the 2021 In Vino Veritas Competition. Additionally, Monique is the Co-President of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and Secretary of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA). Monique currently interns at the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office, working with a senior attorney on homicide cases. Monique is the 2022 recipient of the GGU Litigation Center’s “Rising Star Award.” This award is bestowed upon a student who shows both extraordinary talent and effort in mock trial. Monique hopes to become a fierce and zealous public defender after law school.