Meet Mahlieli, Our Legal Services Funders Network Fellow

Mahlieli (she/her) is a daughter of immigrants, born and raised in the Bay Area. Her passion for immigration law begins with an appreciation of her family's immigration story, highlighting her paternal grandfather's arrival to the United States as part of the Bracero Program. Throughout her work in the education and legal spheres, she has always been dedicated to serving and uplifting historically underrepresented communities.

Mahlieli graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in political science and a concentration in political theory, philosophy, and behavior. She recently received her Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law with an emphasis on public interest, social justice, and immigration law. Mahlieli previously worked in higher education at the community college level, with the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center, and with the Northern California Innocence Project.

Currently, Mahlieli is a Legal Services Funders Network (LSFN)* Legal Fellow in our Berkeley office, where she supports Oasis' mission to provide trauma-informed immigration and social services to the LGBTQ+ community. At Oasis she is dedicated to providing legal assistance to immigrants and underserved communities, aiming to protect their rights and ensure fair access to justice.

Outside of work, Mahlieli enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and finding great spots to enjoy in and around the Bay Area.

*The LSFN Public Interest Law Bar Fellowship Program (the LSFN Fellows) was designed in the midst of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic to address the needs of Bay Area legal services organizations to increase their capacity to serve more clients.

Published August 19, 2024