Elyssa Martinez

Elyssa Martinez is a Mentorship Director for First-Generation Legal Professionals. Elyssa was the first in her family to attend and graduate from a four-year university and now is the first to attend law school. As VP Harris would say, “She may be the first, but [certainly] won’t be the last”. As a California native, Elyssa decided to migrate to the desert for her undergraduate career where she received a B.A. in Government with an emphasis in State and Local Public Policy along with a Minor in Spanish from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the summer Elyssa externed for the Family Law Facilitator’s Office of the San Diego Superior Court. This fall Elyssa will continue in her direction of public service in her internship with the San Diego County Public Defender's Office. As a first-generation, Mexican-American law student, Elyssa believes representation is one of the most powerful things she can do for her community and is determined to continue to fight for women and all marginalized people. Aside from her passion to serve, Elyssa is also passionate about traveling and binge-watching Law & Order.