Congratulations Ariam Kiflemariam!
Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP is thrilled to name Ariam Kiflemariam as one of the 2024 DDRB Legal Scholarship recipients. Ariam’s story of resilience, purpose, and lifelong advocacy embodies the mission of this scholarship.
Ariam is currently a J.D. candidate at the University of Washington School of Law, where she serves as President of the First Generation Law Students Association and Vice President of the Black Law Students Association. She is also Chief of Diversity and Inclusion for the Washington Journal of Social and Environmental Justice and has earned two CALI Awards for her excellence in legal writing and criminal procedure.
Ariam’s path to law school was rooted in her family’s extraordinary journey—from her father’s escape across the Sahara as a refugee to her mother’s Peace Corps service in Sudan. With a background in ethnic studies and politics from Cornell College, Ariam has spent nearly a decade working in the fields of disability advocacy, employment accommodations, and housing security. She has also externed for the U.S. District Court and now represents clients in appellate matters through the Washington Appellate Project.
“Ariam’s commitment to justice and deep-rooted passion for advocacy are exactly what this scholarship was designed to support,” said founding partner Manuel Dobrinsky. “We are honored to play a small role in her journey toward becoming a changemaker in the legal community.”
Now in its sixth year, the DDRB Legal Scholarship recognizes students whose academic achievements and lived experiences reflect a powerful dedication to public service and justice. Ariam is a shining example of that mission, and we are proud to support her next chapter.
Congratulations Ariam!
Read her Scholarship Essay below:
Congratulations Kanami Okabei!
Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP is proud to announce that Kanami Okabe is one of two recipients of the 2024 DDRB Legal Scholarship. Kanami was selected for her academic distinction, community dedication, and inspiring commitment to public interest law.
A first-year law student at UC Berkeley School of Law, Kanami earned her B.A. in Political Science from UCLA, graduating summa cum laude and having made the Dean’s Honor List every quarter. Her academic journey began at College of the Desert, where she also graduated with high honors.
Kanami’s path to law school was shaped by her early experiences as a pharmacy clerk during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she supported vulnerable patients like “Rose”—an encounter that sparked her interest in advocacy for the underserved. Later, as a felony paralegal intern with the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender, she worked directly with clients facing systemic challenges and deepened her resolve to become a legal advocate for marginalized communities.
In addition to her legal internships, Kanami has also served as a student supervisor at UCLA’s ASUCLA Restaurants and conducted impactful research on historic labor exploitation cases at the Thai Community Development Center.
“Kanami’s compassion and determination to pursue justice for the vulnerable resonated deeply with our team,” said founding partner Manuel Dobrinsky. “Her vision for a more equitable legal system makes her an exceptional recipient of this year’s award.”
Now in its sixth year, the DDRB Legal Scholarship competition celebrates students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and a sincere dedication to using the law as a tool for good. Kanami exemplifies these values, and we are honored to support her legal journey.
Congratulations Kanami!