Rising Star
Presented to an individual who has excelled professionally, exhibiting outstanding achievement, entrepreneurship or leadership within a chosen field. Preference will be given to graduates from the last 10 years.
Please check back for the nomination to open in Fall 2025!
Samantha Meron JD ’20 currently leads the Defense Unit at Quiroga Law Office, PLLC, specializing in defending immigrants facing removal proceedings. Samantha’s commitment to her clients and the field of immigration has earned her recognition as ‘Top Attorney for 2024’ at her firm. In addition, Samantha has set notable filing records, enabling her clients to secure status more swiftly and efficiently. She is particularly known for her determination in strategizing avenues of relief for individuals who have been turned away by other firms after their cases were deemed to be too difficult or unwinnable. Samantha has successfully argued pro bono cases before both the Eighth Circuit and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging government decisions and attempting to set precedent for judicial review of agency actions.
Past Rising Star Award Recipients
2008: Trung Tu ’00
2012: Robb Shecter ’11
2013: Lauren M. Rule ’01
2014: Jennifer Woodhouse ’08
2015: Kasia Rutledge ’07
2016: Harry Wilson ’07
2017: Jacqueline Swanson ’13
2018: Michael Hsu ’11
2019: Elizabeth Savage ’14
2020: Zach Pilchen ’13
2022: Jeremiah Rigsby ’14
2023: Lawrence Pittman ’18
2024: Mikalah Singer ’20, LLM ’21