Ambar Larancuent, from the Bronx, New York, is a rising 3L at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York (CUNY), and early in her undergraduate studies, Ambar immersed herself in the legal field through internships at various solo-practitioner firms, where her focus was on assisting monolingual individuals in navigating the intricate process of securing legal residency status in the United States.

After graduating, Ambar worked at the Legal Aid Society’s Bronx Neighborhood Office as part of the Assigned Counsel Project (ACP) team. In her role as a paralegal case-handler, she conducted intake interviews for senior citizens facing eviction and guided them through applying for rental assistance and social services to avoid displacement. She closely collaborated with her supervisor to develop a streamlined system for receiving court referrals, significantly increasing ACP client intake and legal representation. And for those ineligible for legal representation, Ambar provided invaluable guidance, empowering them to become effective self-advocates and equipping them with the tools to navigate the legal system and prevent eviction.

Prior to joining Penn Carey Law, Ambar also collaborated with the New York University (NYU) Center of Antiracism, Social Justice & Public Health (CASJPH) where she contributed to groundbreaking programming that examined systemic racism within the criminal justice system and its impacts on public health outcomes for marginalized communities.

With a demonstrated passion for serving disadvantaged communities, Ambar is committed to access to justice and is excited to be selected as a 2025 Ms. JD Scholarship Recipient.