In just one year at LMU Loyola Law School (LLS), Lika Kolesnikov LLM ’24 conducted research on international human rights cases, interviewed potential clients on an immigration justice trip to Mexico, and wrote her first article for publication -- all before she’s even taken the bar exam.
Law school was not on the legal assistant’s radar until she learned about Loyola Law School from her personal injury law firm colleague, who raved about the program from which she had just graduated. Kolesnikov has two master’s degrees in international relations from Universidad de Cadiz in Spain and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
Inspired by her interest in international relations and motivated by the scholarship she was offered, Kolesnikov decided to take the leap and pursue her LLM degree. She was the only one in her class without a JD.
Because she was not planning on taking the bar exam, Kolesnikov had more time in her schedule to take courses on topics that interested her: immigration and human rights. She first heard about the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic (LSJLC) when Professor Cesare Romano invited her to work with Loyola’s International Human Rights Center (IHRC). This led to her discovery of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic. Even though as an LLM student she couldn’t enroll for credit, she jumped at the chance to volunteer.
With the Immigrant Justice Clinic, Kolesnikov traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to interview potential clients about their immigration cases. She and her cohort gave free legal consultations and then worked with Professors Marissa Montes ’12 and Kathleen Kim to determine whether each client had a case and their next steps.
Listening to people tell their stories firsthand was “amazing,” Kolesnikov said.
“The clinic experience taught me how to apply my knowledge in practice. That's the best experience you can get,” Kolesnikov said. “It’s not enough just to have knowledge, you’ve got to know how to use it.”
With the IHRC, Kolesnikov conducted research on cases worldwide, including one involving the death penalty. And in Professor Stanley Goldman’s Law and Genocide class, visiting Professor Michael Bazyler of Chapman University invited her to contribute to a book he’s writing about international law in Crimea. Kolesnikov’s article is about legislation in Ukraine following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Inspired by her experience at LLS, Kolesnikov has decided to take the bar exam and pursue her new goal of being an immigration lawyer.
“The stories of resilience and determination I have encountered ignited my passion to provide legal support to those navigating the complex immigration system,” Kolesnikov said. “I am driven by a desire to ensure that everyone has a fair chance at achieving their dreams and contributing to society.”