
Since 1981, the Post-Conviction Justice Project (PCJP) has trained hundreds of law students to stand for justice and contribute to legislation that is transforming our legal landscape.
Under the direction of PCJP Director Heidi Rummel and Co-Founder Michael Brennan at the USC Gould School of Law, the Project has advocated for thousands of clients at parole hearings, on habeas corpus in state and federal courts, at resentencing hearings, and in prison workshops.
The Project hires six supervising students each summer and enrolls ten additional students in the fall for the academic year. In addition to developing critical lawyering proficiencies through hands-on experience, students examine and discuss broader criminal justice issues.
Meet the Students
2022 – 2023 Students

Claire Hagan
Claire hails from Cary, North Carolina and studied journalism at UNC Chapel Hill before moving to Los Angeles for law school. She worked in government and politics before law school and joined PCJP to try to make a difference one case at a time. Fun fact: Claire likes to paint and (shameless plug) sometimes does pet portraits.

Laura Wang
Laura Wang is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and attended the University of Iowa, where she majored in English and Chinese. After graduating, she received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Taiwan and then moved to Portland, Maine to work at a study abroad non-profit. She is now pursuing a career in law to expand access to justice and advocate for indigent clients. She is humbled to work for PCJP and help clients regain their freedom. Fun fact: She has lived through a major flood, earthquake, and derecho.

Kathleen Moore
Originally from Sacramento, CA, Kathleen graduated from USC Marshall School of Business in 2018 and is happy to be back at Gould getting her J.D. She joined PCJP because she believes in second chances and anti-carceral work. Fun fact: Kathleen has a 2017 Rose Bowl ring with her name on it from when she worked with the USC Football team in college. It’s so large it goes past her knuckle and is very hard to wear. Fight on!

Nicole You
Nicole grew up in a small town in northwest Connecticut and graduated from The University of Chicago with a major in Political Science. She joined PCJP this summer because she wanted to use her legal training to help others and hopefully make a meaningful impact on someone’s life. Fun fact: Nicole was stuck in Nicaragua for two months at the beginning of the pandemic (March 2020 to May 2020)!

Jaana Singh
Jaana grew up on a “fish-shaped island” off the coast of Manhattan. While attending Bowdoin College, she traveled once a week to Portland, Maine to volunteer at a legal clinic that provided free legal assistance to low-income Mainers with civil legal problems. She joined PCJP because she believes in second chances, forgiveness, and mercy. Fun fact: Jaana loves Harry Styles and was the #1 fruit ninja player in the world in 2018!

Sophia Sahagún Advanced/3L
Sophia is a second-year law student from Santa Ana who received her B.A. in Philosophy from UCLA. Prior to law school, Sophia interned at the LA County Department of Public Health, where she conducted research on adverse health outcomes and disparate impact to low-income communities of color. Sophia joined PCJP to help deserving clients earn their freedom.

Sharifa Hurt Advanced/3L
Sharifa Hurt is a second-year law student from Los Angeles, who received her bachelor of arts from the University of California at Berkeley. Prior to law school, Sharifa briefly worked in the travel industry as a travel specialist for a luxury cruise line. Sharifa is passionate about criminal justice reform and joined PCJP to represent deserving clients working toward their release from prison.

Madeline Stefani Advanced/3L
Madeline Stefani is a third-year law student from Los Angeles, California who received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara. Madeline returns to the clinic for a second year because she believes in abolition and rehabilitation. She is fervently committed to utilizing her access to legal education to assist those who need, but cannot afford, legal representation. Fun facts: Madeline is a trained opera singer; she has not one, but two Lord of the Rings tattoos.

Angela Chuang Advanced/3L
Angela is from Orange County, California and went to USC for undergrad, where she studied Political Science. She joined the clinic for her 1L summer to advocate for second chances and has remained a part of the clinic since because she has truly loved working with the clinic’s clients and the wonderful team that makes PCJP what it is today. A fun fact about Angela is that the day before her very first day with PCJP, she got a puppy named Asami!

Rohan Garg Advanced/3L
Rohan Garg is a second-year law student from Southern California who received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at San Diego where he was a member of the mock trial team and international affairs journal. Rohan is passionate about criminal justice and joined PCJP to work with clients toward their freedom.

Ciara Hockey Advanced/3L
Ciara Hockey is a second-year law student from Virginia who received her bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy from Georgetown University. During her first year of law school, Ciara worked in re-entry services and immigration. Ciara joined PCJP because she fiercely believes in the power of hope and second chances. She joined PCJP to advocate for second chances for her clients.

Kosha Patel Advanced/3L
Kosha Patel is a second-year law student who grew up in Southern California. She received her bachelor of arts from the University of California at San Diego where she studied International Studies and Political Science and volunteered with AmeriCorps. Kosha is passionate about prison reform and increasing access to justice, and joined PCJP to make a difference in the lives of deserving clients.

Brianna Khong Advanced/3L
Brianna Khong is a second-year law student who received her bachelor of science in Media, Culture, and Communication from New York University. Brianna’s long-time passion for social justice drew her to PCJP. She believes the criminal system needs more people who protect individual dignity and foster compassion, and she enjoys connecting with and learning from clients this year.
Summer 2022 Students

Claire hails from Cary, North Carolina and studied journalism at UNC Chapel Hill before moving to Los Angeles for law school. She worked in government and politics before law school and joined PCJP to try to make a difference one case at a time. Fun fact: Claire likes to paint and (shameless plug) sometimes does pet portraits.

Laura Wang is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and attended the University of Iowa, where she majored in English and Chinese. After graduating, she received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Taiwan and then moved to Portland, Maine to work at a study abroad non-profit. She is now pursuing a career in law to expand access to justice and advocate for indigent clients. She is humbled to work for PCJP and help clients regain their freedom. Fun fact: She has lived through a major flood, earthquake, and derecho.

Originally from Sacramento, CA, Kathleen graduated from USC Marshall School of Business in 2018 and is happy to be back at Gould getting her J.D. She joined PCJP because she believes in second chances and anti-carceral work. Fun fact: Kathleen has a 2017 Rose Bowl ring with her name on it from when she worked with the USC Football team in college. It’s so large it goes past her knuckle and is very hard to wear. Fight on!

Nicole grew up in a small town in northwest Connecticut and graduated from The University of Chicago with a major in Political Science. She joined PCJP this summer because she wanted to use her legal training to help others and hopefully make a meaningful impact on someone’s life. Fun fact: Nicole was stuck in Nicaragua for two months at the beginning of the pandemic (March 2020 to May 2020)!

Jaana grew up on a “fish-shaped island” off the coast of Manhattan. While attending Bowdoin College, she traveled once a week to Portland, Maine to volunteer at a legal clinic that provided free legal assistance to low-income Mainers with civil legal problems. She joined PCJP because she believes in second chances, forgiveness, and mercy. Fun fact: Jaana loves Harry Styles and was the #1 fruit ninja player in the world in 2018!
Get Involved
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