Emily Madray ’25 Heads to UC Berkeley School of Law with Scholarship
Degree: B.A. in Political Science
Minors: English and Human Rights
Programs: Honors Program; Macaulay Honors College; Pre-Law Institute
Fellowships/Internships: Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship; Brennan Center for Justice, Democracy Intern; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Federal Policy Intern; New York State Unified Court System, Office for Justice Initiatives, Judicial Intern
Mentor: Professor and Criminal Justice Chairperson Evan Mandery; Associate Professor of Political Science Maxwell Mak, Ph.D
Hometown: Queens, NY
Career Aspiration: Lawyer
Post-graduate Plan: UC Berkeley School of Law
What was life like before John Jay?
My parents immigrated from Guyana to the United States in the 1980s. Like many other Guyanese people did at the time, they left everything they knew behind to give future generations a chance at greater opportunities, including attending college. My sister Samantha and I are the first generation in our family to attend college—she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. While growing up, my parents sacrificed so much and worked multiple jobs and long hours to provide for me and my sister. Their entire life revolved around ensuring we had everything we needed so we could focus on our education, get into college, and pursue our dreams.
Why John Jay?
I was really attracted to John Jay’s mission of educating fierce advocates for justice and the numerous opportunities it offers students. I’ve always known I wanted to go to law school, but what area of law I wanted to study was fuzzy for me. Seeing the variety of fellowships, internships, and research opportunities available to undergraduate students at John Jay made me excited to apply. It meant John Jay was the gateway to my future. Its location in New York City means students can expand their networks and access policymakers, legal institutions, and advocacy groups. I knew that at John Jay I could explore different paths in the legal field, connect with professionals, and discover my true passion.
What sparked your interest in the law and human rights?
It was a number of things, most notably where I grew up and my cultural background. I have lived in South Ozone Park, Queens, in a neighborhood called Little Guyana, my entire life. The area I live in exposed me to the realities of economic and racial segregation, as well as the systemic barriers and inequities in our society. At home, I saw how my parents worked far beyond a regular 40-hour work week. There was no such thing as 9-to-5 for them. This made me question the labor protections that were, or weren’t, in place. Witnessing their struggle motivated me to learn more about which groups are protected by laws and which aren’t.
Also, in the Indo-Caribbean culture, domestic violence is a significant and prevalent issue. While I didn’t witness abuse directly, I was aware it occurred in the homes of friends and distant relatives. I was shocked to hear about how some of my grandmother’s uncles would physically and emotionally abuse their wives. Learning about the cycle of abuse and how there seems to be no way to escape it ignited my desire to become a lawyer. I wanted to take a stand against abuse, protect victims, promote access to resources, and help change lives through new policies.
How did the Watson Fellowship shape your educational experience and career aspirations?
The Watson Fellowship was an opportunity to really grow professionally, culturally, and personally. As someone interested in a variety of paths in law, the chance to participate in three internships in different sectors and areas of the world allowed me to really push myself out of my comfort zone and to adapt to things quickly.
As a Watson fellow, I interned with WNYC studios on the More Perfect podcast. The show breaks down Supreme Court decisions for its audience. Getting to be part of that work was so exciting. It also felt like a full-circle moment for me because I had no access to people working in the legal profession while growing up, so I relied on programs like the More Perfect podcast to learn about the system and understand it better.
During my internship with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in California, I worked with the federal immigration policy team, and that is where my passion for policy expanded. I saw attacks on immigrants becoming more prevalent in the United States, and I felt honored to be part of the effort pushing for federal reform. I worked in Los Angeles for 10 weeks and flew out to Washington, D.C., to talk to members of Congress, like Congressman Pete Aguilar who represents the 33rd District of California, about immigration policy reform. It was a life-changing experience. I had the chance to participate in marches, lobby on Capitol Hill, and advocate for equal access to resources for immigrants.
And finally, as part of the fellowship, this summer I’ll be interning with an organization called Women on Top, doing research and policy work in Greece. The organization focuses on the professional and economic empowerment of women in the workplace.
Was there an internship that affirmed your desire to become a lawyer?
The internship I had with the Brennan Center for Justice, where I was a democracy intern, reaffirmed my goal. Feeling disheartened by the state of the world, I wanted to take part in work that would combat attacks on democracy. I’ve worked with the elections and government team, doing legal research and looking into previous legal challenges that combated detrimental laws both at the local and federal levels. I’ve also had the chance to sit in on judiciary team meetings, and as someone who’s fascinated by the court system and understanding how courts can further justice, the experience has fueled me to pursue a career in law.
How did your John Jay mentors put you on the path to success?
During my sophomore year, I kept hearing that if you want to go to law school, you have to take Professor Evan Mandery’s class. So, I thought, I want to go to law school, I’ll take his class. It was a year-long honors course that focused on the common good. I remember I got a C on my first paper in his class. As someone who is a perfectionist, I thought, I don’t understand what’s happening, but I can’t let this C stand. When I saw the grade, I immediately made an appointment with him so I could work on my paper and improve the grade. We met weekly as I reworked my paper. I ended up rewriting it four times before I finally got an A. Afterwards, he began asking me about my life and career aspirations. That’s how he became my mentor. I have always felt like Professor Mandery was in my corner, guiding me, encouraging me on difficult days, and always giving me a straight answer whenever I had a question. He’s always been ready to step in and help. When he heard I wanted to lift the financial burden off my parents, he got me a job as a college assistant in his office so I could support myself. He’s written me letters of recommendation and helped me throughout the law school application process. What I’ve always appreciated about Professor Mandery is that he constantly challenges me, intellectually and as a writer, because he saw my potential, and that really pushed me to be better. Every time I took a class with him or had a conversation with him, I grew and became a better student and human.
I took a course with Professor Maxwell Mak, where he taught using the Socratic method. He asked a lot of questions, requiring us to think critically before answering. It was my first time being taught this way, and it challenged me to be at my best. I had to be 100 percent ready in his class—similar to how a lawyer has to be in the courtroom. I enjoyed the course so much that I asked Professor Mak if I could do research with him. Our research focused on the courts and judges, and examined social media’s impact on the court system. Throughout the two years that I was his mentee, he consistently checked in on my law school applications and was always willing to provide me with support or words of encouragement. I remember a phone call I had with Professor Mak before I got my first law school acceptance. I was sort of crashing out that day, panicking and thinking I wouldn’t get into law school, but he kept me calm and told me, “It’s okay. You’re going to get in.” Later that night, I received my first acceptance.
What are your plans after graduation?
I got into eight law schools, including Arizona State University Law School, UC Berkeley School of Law, CUNY Law School, Case Western, Cornell University, Fordham University, and St. John’s University School of Law. After thinking over all of my options, I’ve committed to attending UC Berkeley School of Law. I fell in love with California during the Watson Fellowship, and Berkeley gave me over a half-ride scholarship, totaling $135,000 over three years. I’m so grateful for the acceptance and scholarship.
