Amanda Rivas

Director of Externships

Biography

Director Rivas started her legal career in a clinical fellowship program at her law school alma mater. In addition to practicing civil litigation, she co-taught the clinical seminars and supervised law students in the civil clinical course. During her fellowship, she was also charged with coordinating the Center for Legal and Social Justice’s Pro Bono Program and Border Outreach Program.

In 2018, she was named Director of the Externship program after serving as the Associate Director since the program’s formal launch in 2011. Each semester she prepares students for their semester-long learning experience. Director Rivas is the primary contact and part of the support system for supervising attorneys hosting Externs each semester. She works with them individually and provides regular CLE workshops focused on supervisor effectiveness, ethics, and supervision issues. Additionally, she conducts employer and community outreach to expand experiential opportunities for students through the program. She coordinates with the faculty director, Assistant Dean Karen Kelley, other faculty members, and the Office of Career Services to ensure the program’s continued growth and success.

Her love of teaching and passion for education started after college as a Teach For America Corps member teaching middle school in the Rio Grande Valley. She currently serves as an advisory board member for Teach For America San Antonio.

Publications