Nouhamin Leoulekal

Nouhamin Leoulekal, the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, aiming to reshape the system to better serve those historically marginalized and excluded from legal relief. She is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers at the intersection of criminal justice and immigration, with a particular focus on expanding access to post-conviction remedies for Black and Brown communities.

At UC Berkeley, Nouhamin majored in Legal Studies with a minor in African American Studies. As a Legal Studies Honors student, her thesis examined the ongoing impact of restitution obligations, even after legislative changes such as California’s SB 1106, which prohibits judges from denying expungement based solely on unpaid restitution. Her research highlights how individuals remain financially burdened by restitution payments post-expungement, revealing the limitations of post-conviction relief as a true reform. Additionally, she explored the role of both organizational and community-based support systems in helping individuals navigate legal relief and post-expungement obligations, shedding light on critical gaps in existing remedies.

Beyond academics, Nouhamin has been an active leader in UC Berkeley’s campus community. As a Peter E. Haas Public Service Leader, she spearheaded a volunteer initiative in partnership with The Access Project, a nonprofit based in her hometown of Richmond, California. The organization provides clean slate services, particularly for college students, in collaboration with the Rising Scholars Network. Leading a team of volunteers, Nouhamin conducted surveys and interviews with individuals who have undergone the post-conviction relief process, focusing on the challenges they face—especially the discrepancies in background checks that fail to reflect expunged records. The data collected informs The Access Project’s strategies to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of clean slate services.

Nouhamin’s commitment to public service extends beyond criminal justice. She served as the Student Director for Democracy Camp in Washington, DC, at the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service. Additionally, as the Mentorship Program Coordinator for NavCal, she supported non-traditional students in navigating higher education through mentorship and scholarship application guidance. Deeply involved in UC Berkeley’s Black community, she serves as a Senior Advisor for the Black Pre-Law Association, providing strategic leadership to enhance membership retention among Black pre-law students—one of the most underrepresented groups on campus and in the legal profession. As a programming intern for the Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center, part of the African American Student Development Office, she collaborates with fellow interns to organize events that foster community and celebrate Black student life at Berkeley.

Nouhamin attributes her drive to the unwavering support of her parents, as well as the mentors, peers, and friends she has met throughout her journey. The challenges she has faced, along with the students and clients she has worked with, have profoundly shaped her path and strengthened her commitment to advocacy. As a John Gardner Public Service Fellow, she hopes to continue her work by securing a placement with an organization focused on expanding access to post-conviction relief. Through this opportunity, she aims to refine her policy skills, work closely with a mentor, and deepen her impact on the communities she serves.