Seeking Justice Fall Lecture Series 2021 — January Contreras

January Contreras — “Building a Justice System Where No One is Left Behind” 

Wednesday, October 13 | 3–4:15 p.m. | Location: Bateman Physical Science Building - F Wing - Room 173 

Join us for the final event in our 2021 Seeking Justice in Arizona lecture series, “Building a Justice System Where No One is Left Behind.” The lecture will be given by January Contreras, Founder of Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS).  

A champion for women and children, January Contreras is an attorney who has dedicated her career to creating justice for those who are often left behind. In 2009, January joined the Obama Administration where she was a designee to the White House Council on Women and Girls. In this role, she led efforts to strengthen protections for immigrant victims of crime, especially battered immigrant women.  

From the onset of her career, she has always been inspired to represent people who would have no access to a lawyer; January returned home to launch Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services (ALWAYS). ALWAYS provides free lawyers to those who are often left behind in the justice and immigration systems. January is grateful to be a lawyer to kids and young adults facing abuse, human trafficking, homelessness and the foster care system. Her clients inspire her every day.  

January is a former Deputy County Attorney, Assistant Attorney General and Advisor to Governor Janet Napolitano. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona who was recognized as Arizona's 2020 Legal Aid Attorney of the Year.  

Visit the Seeking Justice in Arizona website for additional information. This lecture will be recorded and posted to ASU SST YouTube page.