Karissa Provenza (she/her) is a first-generation college graduate from Honolulu, Hawai’i. She is trained in trauma informed care through her volunteer work as a Crisis Counselor prior to law school. Before joining Public Advocates, Karissa worked as a Legal Services Funders Network Fellow advocating for resentencing for incarcerated individuals.
Education
Karissa graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law in May 2022 where she completed a concentration in Social Justice Lawyering, was a member of the Legal Equal Opportunity Program, and received membership to the Pro Bono Society for recognition of hours committed to public interest services. During law school Karissa sat on the executive boards for The Associated Students of UC Hastings, and Hastings Public Interest Law Foundation. She also served on the Student Advisory Board for the Center for Advocacy Research and Education to help promote a safe and inclusive learning environment. During her second year, Karissa published an article in the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal, where she held a position as staff editor. She spent her last year at Hastings working in the Community Justice Clinics, where she represented clients in their petitions for clean slate remedies and collaborated with community members who have been impacted by the Family Regulation System.
Awards
- Nancy Stuart Public Interest Award
- Legal Services for Children Certificate in Child Advocacy
- Liz Butler Steyer Award for Commitment to Child Advocacy
- UC Hastings Public Interest Achievement Award
