Empowered by Legacy: Goldman Fund Supports Rising Advocates for Justice
American University Washington College of Law’s Program on Environmental and Energy Law (PEEL) is pleased to announce the the first beneficiaries of support from the Emily Claire Goldman Memorial Endowed Fund: Ashley Dominguez Garcia (1L) and Kate Collins Palmer (2L). Each student will receive $4,000 to support their public interest legal work this summer—continuing the legacy of an alumna whose life and career embodied justice, compassion, and action.
The Fund was established by Emily’s mother, Elizabeth Davidson, in memory of Emily Claire Goldman, JD ’16, who passed away in December 2022 at age 31. A passionate advocate for international human rights and environmental justice, Emily’s career was defined by her commitment to holding powerful institutions accountable and amplifying the voices of those most often ignored.
Rooted in the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, or “repairing the world,” Emily’s work spanned human rights, corporate accountability, and immigration reform. She founded the ESG Transparency Initiative (ESGTI) to promote ethical corporate practices and also led Educators for Migrant Justice, pushing for the divestment of pension funds from private prison companies implicated in human rights abuses.
PEEL Director and faculty member Professor David Hunter—who deeply influenced Emily’s journey as a lawyer—helped shape the Fund’s vision. It is specifically aimed at students pursuing summer placements in public interest law, with a focus on human rights, environmental justice, and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous and marginalized communities. In supporting Ashley and Kate’s legal internships, the Fund ensures Emily’s spirit lives on through the work of the next generation of changemakers.
Ashley Dominguez Garcia: A Voice for Immigrant Justice
A rising 2L from the Bay Area with roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, Ashley Dominguez Garcia will spend her summer at Immigration Law Plus, a Virginia-based immigration firm. The firm provides legal assistance in asylum cases, deportation defense, and family-based petitions.
Ashley, a fluent Spanish speaker, views immigration law as more than a legal discipline—it is a fight for dignity and human rights. “Too often, the immigration system dehumanizes people,” she said. “My job is to help clients feel heard, respected, and supported.”
Before attending AUWCL, Ashley studied at UC Berkeley, where she focused on environmental racism and community resilience in Richmond, California. That academic foundation deepened her understanding of how systemic power and marginalization overlap—and how legal work can be used as a tool for justice. She now aspires to a legal career that bridges immigrant rights, Indigenous advocacy, and environmental equity.
Ashley said receiving the Goldman Fellowship is a profound honor. “Emily’s work is a reminder that advocacy must always center people, compassion, and truth. I want to carry that vision forward.”
Kate Collins Palmer: Defending the Chesapeake and Environmental Equity
Kate Collins Palmer, a rising 3L, will join the Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) in Annapolis, Maryland, where she will assist attorneys in enforcing clean water regulations, defending pollution prevention laws, and supporting legal actions that protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
At CLA, Kate will focus on addressing environmental harms that disproportionately impact low-income and marginalized communities. She sees environmental justice as inseparable from social justice. “Too often, the communities hit hardest by pollution are those with the least power to fight it,” she said. “I want to use the law to help balance that scale.”
Kate’s work this summer will involve Clean Water Act enforcement, helping community partners hold polluters accountable, and advocating for sustainable practices in vulnerable regions. Her long-term goal is to pursue a legal career where environmental law serves not only ecosystems—but the people who depend on them.
Being named a Goldman Fellow, Kate said, is deeply meaningful. “Emily’s legacy reminds me that compassion and accountability can—and must—coexist in the law. I’m inspired to follow in her footsteps.”
By supporting Ashley and Kate, the Emily Claire Goldman Memorial Endowed Fund carries forward Emily’s unwavering dedication to justice. It empowers emerging legal advocates to challenge inequity, amplify underrepresented voices, and work tirelessly for a world that is more just, inclusive, and sustainable—just as Emily did.