2025 News UMass Law: Two UMass Law students chosen as Gants Scholars

Students earn stipends while completing judicial internships

Two University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law (UMass Law) students — Paulina Aguilar Delgado '26, and Joseph Bukuras '27 — have been named recipients of the Chief Justice Gants Judicial Scholarship for the summer of 2025. This marks the first time UMass Law has had multiple recipients of the prestigious award in the same year.

In honor of the late Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, the scholarship provides $8,000 to Massachusetts law students with limited financial means, offering them valuable experience within the judicial system while helping to advance equity by expanding pathways to careers in law, public service, and the judiciary.

"The support of this scholarship program has opened pathways I never thought possible. I'm so grateful for the support of the Gants Judicial Scholarship and the UMass Law community."

"This is an incredible opportunity to learn from the Hon. Tracie L. Souza's insight and observe how the court serves members of the community," said Aguilar Delgado, who began interning at the Taunton Juvenile Court in May. "I am very fortunate to explore this area of the legal system and I'm excited to learn from the variety of cases the juvenile court oversees, as well as the different stages of a case as it moves through the system."

The juvenile court handles both civil and criminal cases, including care and protection proceedings, children requiring assistance (CRA) cases, delinquency and youthful offender matters, adoptions, guardianships, and more.

Bukuras began his judicial internship at the Framingham District Court in May, working alongside the Hon. David Cunis, the court's first justice. The district court hears a range of cases, including criminal, civil, mental health, and housing matters. The Appellate Division of the District Court reviews certain appeals, such as those involving mental health proceedings and civil damages.

"The support of this scholarship program has opened pathways I never thought possible," said Bukuras, a rising second-year law student. "In my internship, I'm learning the ins and outs of the court system. Spending all day with the presiding judge, I've had a front-row seat to the people and systems serving justice. I'm so grateful for the support of the Gants Judicial Scholarship and the UMass Law community, who helped make this opportunity possible."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for both students," said UMass Law Assistant Dean of Students, Julie Cahill. "The late Chief Justice Gants was a champion of access to justice and equity in the Massachusetts legal system. Paulina and Joseph have demonstrated that they are worthy recipients of the scholarship in his memory by their academic and personal achievements and by their commitment to public service. I know they will have an exceptional summer experience as interns in the Trial Court."