Transfer Student’s Dream Comes True at Loyola

After completing her first year of law school in Louisiana, Shahad Khaleel ’27’s dream came true: She transferred to her first-choice law school, LMU Loyola Law School (LLS).

Khaleel was drawn to LLS for its “strong sense of community, supportive environment, and deep connection to the Los Angeles legal market,” she said. She’s found every professor and staff member to be generous with their time and eager to help students feel supported and valued.

As a transfer student, Khaleel was worried that she might feel behind academically or lack connection with her classmates. But those fears disappeared when she stepped onto campus.

“I quickly found my footing, built meaningful relationships, and felt fully embraced by the Loyola community – both academically and personally,” she said.

During her 2L year at Loyola, Khaleel was part of the Women’s Law Association and Middle Eastern and North African Law Students Association, and worked in the Loyola Project for the Innocent (LPI). Part of the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic, the LPI combines direct representation, post-conviction investigation, clinical legal education, and policy advocacy. It has secured 24 exonerations and reversed more than 600 cumulative years of wrongful imprisonment. Not surprisingly, she called her clinical work “one of the most meaningful experiences of my law school journey.”

“Working on cases involving claims of wrongful conviction reinforced my passion for advocacy and justice while allowing me to develop practical legal skills,” she said.

Last summer, Khaleel was a law clerk at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where she assisted deputy district attorneys in the preparation and prosecution of felony and misdemeanor cases, focusing on domestic violence and sex crimes offenses. This summer, she will be working as a research assistant for Professor Ted Seto.

Khaleel is especially grateful for her Career Development Office counselor, Rebecca Ruschell, who has helped her navigate job applications, professional development, and thinking through her career path. “CDO’s mentorship gave me both direction and confidence as I continue building my path in the legal field,” Khaleel said.