Ava has served as a Paralegal at the Federal Defender’s Office since August 2026, after beginning her work with the office as an undergraduate intern in January 2025.

As an intern, Ava worked with the mitigation team, conducting social history and collateral interviews, digesting records, and conducting in-depth social science research. Ava graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Honors Laureate program with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Law & Inequality, where she studied racial inequality in the U.S. criminal justice system.

Through her studies, Ava developed a love for the law and a passion for public defense. Ava believes in preserving the humanity of every client who enters the criminal justice system, providing them with a zealous defense, and advocating for opportunities for rehabilitation.