Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

This fall, Emma Watson and Timothy Zurcher, both graduates of the Class of 2024 from St. John’s Law, will begin their full-time legal careers as Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) Justice Fellows. This opportunity aligns with their interest in immigration law and their desire to assist refugees, asylees, and other immigrants in accessing essential legal services and humanitarian relief.

During their time at St. John’s Law, Watson and Zurcher distinguished themselves academically and practically. They took foundational and advanced courses in immigration law and were active members of the St. John’s Law Review. Both gained hands-on experience through the Refugee and Immigrant Rights Litigation Clinic, a year-long clinic operated by St. John’s Law in collaboration with Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services Department in New York City.

In the clinic, they worked under senior attorneys' supervision to represent immigrants in various administrative and appellate proceedings. “After starting in the Clinic, I knew that I wanted to continue to promote Catholic Charities’ mission of providing accessible legal services to immigrant communities in need,” said Watson. She learned about the IJC Justice Fellowship from her clinic instructor, seeing it as a valuable introduction to immigration law.

Zurcher's experience also includes working with New York nonprofits during his 1L and 2L summers to provide direct immigration representation. Additionally, he participated in the Child Advocacy Clinic at St. John's Law during his 2L year, representing minors in family court and immigration court matters. “I knew I wanted to be an IJC Fellow before I knew I wanted to go to law school,” Zurcher explained.

Watson and Zurcher stood out among candidates for the fellowship due to their demonstrated commitment to providing immigration legal services. For their two-year fellowships, they have been placed with organizations where they can significantly impact.

Watson will join the Unaccompanied Minors Program at the Empire Justice Center, providing pro bono legal services to immigrant children in New York. “I’m most looking forward to meeting and working with my future clients,” she stated.

Zurcher will work at the Safe Passage Project on Long Island, offering pro bono immigration representation for minors seeking asylum or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. “I'm incredibly excited...to meet like-minded attorneys who are passionate about immigration law,” he shared.

Both fellows aim to strengthen communities by securing legal status for those in need.