Tenaya Winkelman
Knoxville, TN
Organizations: Dean's Fellow, Peer Leader & Peer Mentor, Mock Trial Executive Board 2L-3L, Mock Trial Travel Team Member 2L-3L, Phi Alpha Delta, Student Bar Association 1L & 2L, LMU Law Pro Bono Committee
Achievements: Cum Laude, General Oliver Otis Howard Pro Bono Award, Tennessee Bar Association Law Student Volunteer of the Year 2023, Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s 2022 Pro Bono Law Student of the Year, Top Scoring Mock Trial Advocate, Spring 2022 1L Tryout, Dean’s List: Spring 2022 & Fall 2023
"Reflecting on this journey to become a lawyer, I am reminded of the words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." To my amazing husband and daughter, your patience and understanding through the many steps of this journey have not gone unnoticed. You both have been my anchor through all the many waves of law school. To my parents, thank you for teaching me the value of hard work and that with the right attitude, elbow grease, and a will to succeed, anything is possible.
As I step into the legal profession, I am filled with hope and determination. My passion for prisoners' rights, civil rights, and criminal defense fuels my belief in a future where justice prevails and every voice is heard. Together, one step at a time, let us strive for a world where the law is a beacon of equality and fairness for all."