Isaac Castaneda (he/him/his)

• Washington State University, B.A. Political Science, magna cum laude, 2019
• University of Washington School of Law, J.D., June 2022

• Washington, 2022
• Texas, 2023

I am a first-generation scholar to proud immigrant parents from Mexico. They are strong, resilient, and driven – and those values were instilled into me, along with a strong work ethic.

My parents raised me to take pride in my identity. At the same time, they emphasized awareness of the differences and hardships I would face. My family encouraged me to see where tings are not right and to commit to making a positive change.

Growing up, I spent my summers helping my abuela sell tortas to migrant workers. When I could legally work my summers were spent in the agricultural industry. It was these experiences that profoundly influenced my understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants. Through family and personal experiences, I witnessed the hard work and dignity that these individuals embody, yet I also saw the vulnerabilities they endure–long hours, low pay, little to no benefits, and a lack of legal protections. These formative experiences instilled in my a deep sense of justice and a desire to advocate for those who, like my family, dedicate their lives to labor that is often undervalued and exploited.

As the first in my family to attend college and law school, and become an attorney–I carry the hopes and dreams of my family with me. I walk on the shoulders of generations who came before me, ancestors who worked tirelessly in labor intensive jobs and I am committed to honoring their legacy through my work and service to my community.

As I worked my way through high school to undergrad, and finally, to law school, my conviction gave me the strength to continue. I knew that one day I would have the credentials to make a difference for those who need it most. That one day, I would work, not out of necessity, but out of love.