UMass Law student Isabelle Fonseca selected as 2026 Rappaport Fellow

2L spends summer advancing public service through prestigious fellowship

This summer, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law) student Isabelle Fonseca '28 was selected as a 2026 Rappaport Fellow, joining a competitive cohort of graduate students from across Massachusetts committed to careers in public service.

The Rappaport Fellowship provides outstanding law students with paid summer placements in public service organizations while connecting them with leaders in law, government, and public policy.

This summer, Fonseca served in the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) in Boston, where she conducted legal research on different federal and local policy initiatives, tracked legislation on both the federal and state level, and drafted policy memos both in response to and in anticipation of policy issues.

"Being selected as a Rappaport Fellow means so much to me, especially as a first-generation law student with limited insight and connections in the legal profession," said Fonseca. "Being chosen as part of the 2026 cohort not only offered me a prestigious placement in a municipal office, but also connected me with a large network of people I otherwise may never have had the opportunity to meet."

"This fellowship has reinforced my commitment to advancing immigrant rights through my legal career because it has shown me some of the major gaps we're facing, as well as some of the amazing work already being done to support immigrant communities."

Commitment to community

For Fonseca, the law has never been just about statutes and courtrooms—it's about helping people navigate some of the most important moments of their lives.

Born and raised in New Bedford to Cape Verdean immigrant parents, she saw firsthand how public policy affects everyday life and the opportunities available to families and communities.

"Being a first-generation American has always guided my education and career path because I've always known that helping the community that raised me is the end goal," she said. "This summer gave me my first glimpse into the higher-level work I can do to help not only my family, but my broader community through the politics and policies that affect their everyday lives.

"If anything, this fellowship has reinforced my commitment to advancing immigrant rights through my legal career because it has shown me some of the major gaps we're facing, as well as some of the amazing work already being done to support immigrant communities."

Before enrolling at UMass Law, she interned with Act On Mass, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing transparency in the Massachusetts State House, and later worked with the immigration team in U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey's Boston office.

Those experiences introduced Fonseca to different approaches to public service, from legislative transparency to immigration advocacy.

"Most, if not all, of my work is motivated by my family and the immigrant community that raised me," said Fonseca. "Even though I wasn't doing constituent-facing work this summer, I thought a lot about my family because the policies I was reviewing, researching, and writing about directly impact them. Ultimately, my family and my community drive the work I do, and I see reflections of them in each career path I pursue."

Pursuing justice through public service

At UMass Law, Fonseca has continued building toward a career focused on expanding access to justice and advancing equitable public policy.

"A big reason I chose UMass Law was its proximity to home. After spending eight years away at school, it felt like the right time to come home and rejoin my family and community," Fonseca said. "On top of that, the Public Interest Law Fellowship is an amazing opportunity to pursue justice in an affordable way, and I couldn't pass that up."

As part of her Rappaport Fellowship, Fonseca will also receive guidance from mentors Sean Fontes, employment and litigation counsel at Partridge Snow & Hahn and a Rappaport Center board member, and Ana Muñoz, a partner at Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein.

"Isabelle embodies the qualities the Rappaport Fellowship seeks in future public servants: intellectual curiosity, a strong sense of purpose, and a genuine commitment to serving others," said Assistant Dean Julie Cahill. "Her dedication to public interest work has been evident throughout her time at UMass Law, and we're proud to see her recognized with this opportunity."

"It's always heartening to see one of our students recognized for their hard work in the classroom and commitment to serving the community," said UMass Law Dean Eric Mitnick, who taught Fonseca tort law during her first year of law school. "Given her dedication and strong ethical values, I am confident that Isabelle will become a highly valued member of the bar and a terrific attorney."

About the Rappaport Fellowship

The Rappaport Fellowship supports exceptional graduate students pursuing careers in public service through paid summer placements, mentorship from accomplished public leaders, and opportunities to engage with policymakers and legal professionals across Massachusetts. Each year, 12 fellows are chosen from a competitive application and interview process. Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend while completing impactful summer internships in government.