Ysmael Fonseca

fonseca

Hometown

Edinburg, Texas

Education

  • J.D. Candidate, Notre Dame Law School, ‘09
  • B.A., in Political Science and Spanish, University of Notre Dame ‘03

Work Experience prior to coming to NDLS

  • This past summer I worked for the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. I worked on responding to pro se motions to vacate sentences and on research involving 4th Amendment issues.
  • As an undergraduate I worked for the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office and spent a semester in Washington, DC where I worked with the Republican National Committee. I also studied abroad in Toledo, Spain where I worked for the Regional Parliament of Castilla – La Mancha. After graduating in ’03, I worked for 2 years in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division assisting with the prosecution of police brutality and human trafficking cases. The year before returning to Notre Dame I was a second grade teacher.

Extracurriculars:

  • Assistant Rector, Fischer-O’Hara-Grace Graduate Residences
  • Hispanic Law Students Association, Vice-President
  • Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy, Thomas J. White Scholar
  • St. Thomas More Society
  • Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic
  • Note Editor for JLEPP

Future Plans

I plan on working in litigation upon graduation.

On the NDLS Education:

“I returned to Notre Dame to become a well-rounded attorney. I knew that in coming to Notre Dame I’d get an education rooted in faith and community, and that’s exactly what I’ve received. The tight-knit law school community is also a part of the greater Notre Dame Family and I feel I’ve been embraced by my alma mater again. Much is said about the competitive law school experience, but those of us who are fortunate enough to be Notre Dame lawyers can describe our experience here as one of life-long friendships and a faith community working to be different kind of lawyers. Notre Dame is more than an education, it’s a life experience.”

On the Faith Life at NDLS:

“Notre Dame and the Law School are constantly seeking ways in which to enrich the Catholic faith. I’ve found a very welcoming and nurturing environment to grow as a Catholic. I feel that the opportunities in faith have impacted my approach to law and have formed me as a Catholic lawyer. “

On being an Assitant Rector:

“My Assistant Rector experience is different from that of other Assistant Rectors because I serve the graduate community. But there are great benefits in being available to graduate students of different disciplines, especially those that are from different countries. I’ve learned much from the great diversity of residents. I help put on social programs that help students take time off from studying and that help build friendships and community. It’s been a very rewarding experience and I’m honored to know that I help build the sense of community that Notre Dame is known for.”