Arizona law schools partner with the State Bar to announce the 2026 Arizona Legal Access Fellowship awardees

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona and the State Bar of Arizona are proud to announce the 2026 Arizona Legal Access Fellowship recipients — 10 law students who will spend their summers working to expand legal services in under-resourced communities across the state.

“The Arizona Legal Access Fellowship reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to justice in communities across Arizona that are too often underserved. These fellows represent the future of the legal profession, and we are proud to support their dedication to public service,” said Angela Banks, Vice Dean and Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law at ASU Law. “Through experiential learning opportunities and dedicated career services support, the fellowship helps prepare students for impactful, service-driven legal careers. We are grateful for the continued partnership of the State Bar of Arizona and the University of Arizona Law.”

The Arizona Legal Access Fellowship program provides stipends to students from both Arizona law schools who commit to serving in rural and underserved areas where access to legal representation is critically limited.

“Legal deserts are a challenge Arizona can’t afford to ignore, and this fellowship is a direct response to that reality. These students are not just gaining important hands-on experience; they are filling a genuine need in communities that often have waited too long for support,” said Jason Kreag, Dean of University of Arizona Law. “We are proud to work alongside the State Bar and ASU Law to give students that foundation and to bring real legal help to Arizonans who need it most.”

“The State Bar is pleased to continue its partnership with Arizona’s law schools to prepare students so they can make a real difference in communities statewide, including through Arizona Legal Access Fellowships,” said State Bar President Sam Saks. “There is a shortage of lawyers outside our major cities, and these Fellowships are a creative and collaborative approach.”

The 2026 fellows include:

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
- Taylor Young (1L), Yuma County Attorney's Office, Yuma, AZ
- Shay Unger (1L), Cochise County Attorney's Office, Bisbee, AZ
- Victoria Kubacki (1L), Yavapai County Public Defender's Office, Prescott, AZ
- Jaqueline Acevedo-Solis (2L), Coconino County Attorney's Office, Flagstaff, AZ
- Savannah Prida (2L), Pinal County Public Defender's Office, Florence, AZ

James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona
- Blayne Barker (1L), Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Casa Grande, AZ
- Olivia Harkins (1L), Yuma County Legal Defender, Yuma, AZ
- Gabrielle Hetrick (2L), Coconino County Public Defender’s office, Flagstaff, AZ
- George Romero (1L), Yuma County Legal Defender, Yuma, AZ
- Micaela Smith-Villegas (1L), Pinal County Superior Court, Florence, AZ

Both ASU Law and Arizona Law are committed to preparing students for meaningful careers in public service and are actively seeking additional support to expand fellowship funding and student opportunities in legal deserts throughout Arizona.

About the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University:

The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, located in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and online, boasts more than 10,000 graduates, features a world-class faculty and consistently ranks among the nation’s top 20% of all law schools by U.S. News & World Report. ASU Law offers students a personalized legal education and is committed to advancing the next generation of professionals through its JD, three master’s and LLM degrees. Honoring its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, ASU Law embodies her legacy of integrity, innovation and dedication to public service. For more information, visit law.asu.edu

About the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law: 

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law stands as a pioneering institution, offering an unparalleled educational journey in legal studies. With a commitment to practical training, a legacy of accomplishment, and an environment that fosters growth, the College of Law is dedicated to preparing individuals for success in the legal arena and beyond. For more information, visit law.arizona.edu.

About the State Bar:

The State Bar of Arizona is a nonprofit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court. The Bar includes more than 20,000 active attorneys and provides education and development programs for the legal profession and the public. Since 1933, the Bar and its members have been committed to serving the public by making sure the voices of all people in Arizona are heard in our justice system.