Aqdas Khudadad's goal is equitable access to the law
With its vibrant riverfront, charming Italianate architecture, 52 distinct neighborhoods, and winning NFL team, the city of Cincinnati has earned its bragging rights as of late. Even with these great strides in enhancing the quality of life for its residents, important issues facing the city's most vulnerable remain, spanning from affordable housing to immigration. Aqdas Khudadad (JD, ‘24), has dedicated her first two years of law school working with organizations affecting these issues–one legal case at a time.
“People need help, it's overwhelming,” she said. “Organizations doing public interest work have been at capacity recently because there's such a need for it.”
Aiming to learn as much as she can about public interest law before deciding on a career path, Aqdas chose to vary her clinic and externship experiences. This past fall, she interned with both the Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC) and the Legal Access Clinic, and this year began a position with the Hamilton County Municipal Court’s Help Center.
“With public interest work, there's so much you have to know. You could be thrown into any type of work,” she said. “UC has a special focus on public interest and social justice work, so you get a lot of support and access to these opportunities.”
Learn more about Aqdas’s passion for promoting equitable access to the law and desire to improve the situation for those who come after her in her profile story “Next Generation Changemaker: Aqdas Khudadad”.
Photographer: Asa Featherstone
Tags
Related Stories
UC Blue Ash takes next step in major renovation project
July 17, 2024
Muntz Hall, the flagship building on the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College campus, is in the next phase of a major renovation project that will dramatically transform the main entrance, enhance access to student support services and add new spaces for students to study or meet between classes.
From intern to full-time: Recent Lighting Design grad joins Bandit Lites
July 16, 2024
Lighting & Sound America spotlights recent graduate Riley Rowan's new position at Bandit Lites, a full-service design, management and producer of live events and entertainment.
CCM alum Donald Lawrence to be inducted into Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
July 16, 2024
UC College-Conservatory of Music alumnus Donald Lawrence is part of the 2024 class of Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame inductees. Located at the Banks in downtown Cincinnati, the induction ceremony on July 27 will feature a parade of stars and a free concert by the Zapp Band.
My incredible first year at Cincinnati Law: Journey, reflections and highlights
July 16, 2024
Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi gives a progress report on his first year as dean of the College of Law.
Presidential challenge to UC: Join Ride Cincinnati to fight cancer
July 16, 2024
UC President Neville Pinto has again challenged every UC college and unit to send at least one rider to the September 14 Ride Cincinnati event to help fundraise for cancer research and cancer care. UC students ride free. Signup by July 31 for free UC-branded cycling jersey.
Pediatric ICU rates linked to housing quality, income, education
July 16, 2024
Healio highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital's Carlie Myers that found a link between pediatric ICU admission rates and housing quality, household income and education.
UC study: Long-term stroke survival improving, but racial disparities remain
July 15, 2024
New research from the University of Cincinnati published in the journal Neurology found long-term survival rates following acute ischemic strokes are improving, but Black individuals experience worse long-term outcomes compared to white individuals.
Heather Crabbe named Assistant Dean for Professional Development at UC Law
July 15, 2024
Heather Crabbe was named Assistant Dean for Professional Development at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Mobile app could help people manage fibromyalgia, UC study suggests
July 15, 2024
WVXU highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati's Lesley Arnold and Swing Therapeutics that found a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia.
Ohio board rejects medical marijuana for autism
July 12, 2024
Cleveland.com highlighted decisions from the State Medical Board of Ohio rejecting autism and female orgasmic difficulty disorder as conditions for its medical marijuana program, following testimony from experts including the University of Cincinnati's Craig Erickson.