Monika Kashyap

Monika spent her third year of law school at Harvard Law School, where she served as a student defense attorney for the Criminal Justice Institute. Her dedication to social justice earned her the Phoenix Fellowship at UC Berkeley and the Equal Justice Works Fellowship, where she led a two-year project defending the rights of immigrant youth in foster care. 

While in law school, Monika was a student teacher in the Street Law Clinic, where she taught constitutional rights to high schoolers. After graduating and working as an immigration defense lawyer for several years, she entered the field of legal education as a clinical professor at Seattle University School of Law, where she worked for over ten years. Monika was twice nominated for the Outstanding Faculty Award by the graduating classes of 2019 and 2020. 

She has published several law review articles focused on the intersections between immigration law and critical race theory. Her work has appeared in the California Law Review (online), NYU Review of Law & Social Change, Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice, Michigan Journal of Race & the Law, University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law & Social Change, Tulane Law Review, and Fordham Urban Law Journal. 

Monika is passionate about making legal education accessible to aspiring law students, aiming to shape a new generation of social justice-focused lawyers. With years of experience as both a practicing lawyer and a law school professional, she brings a deep understanding of the admissions process and the demands of law school. Monika has guided and mentored numerous students, helping them craft resumes and personal statements that reflect their values. She is a strong writer and believes that one's authentic voice shines the brightest. She balances providing potent critique while also being gentle in her approach. These mentees have gained acceptance to top-tier law schools, including Brown, UVA, and Washington University in St. Louis, among others.

As a coach, Monika excels at helping students identify their strengths and areas for growth. With her strong writing and editing skills, she ensures their personal statements are both compelling and professional. Monika views students as partners with a shared commitment to the process. She fosters a collaborative environment where students take the lead, while she provides the structure, accountability, and guidance they need to succeed. This includes creating detailed timelines and weekly check-ins. 

Monika looks forward to assisting Juris students in achieving their law school aspirations. 

In her spare time, Monika enjoys taking walks, designing her next fine line tattoo, listening to K-Pop music, watching Bollywood movies, and cheering on the Los Angeles Lakers.