Carola Aisenberg, the first UHLC student to win a Skadden Fellowship.
Jan. 21, 2026—University of Houston Law Center third-year student Carola Aisenberg has been awarded the highly prestigious Skadden Fellowship, one of the nation’s most competitive, public interest fellowships. Aisenberg, the first UHLC student to receive this honor, is one of 34 fellows selected from 20 law schools nationwide. They will each pursue projects to address unmet civil needs for people living in poverty in the United States.
During the two-year fellowship, Aisenberg will work with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), focusing on combating antisemitism in K-12 education and business spaces by ensuring robust enforcement of existing legal protections for the Jewish community.
“I’ve always wanted to work in public interest law,” she said. “As antisemitism drastically increased over the past five years by 344%, I knew I needed to focus my commitment to public interest work on combating antisemitism”.
Aisenberg emphasized the impact this opportunity will have on her future.
“The professional support and mentorship at both the Skadden Foundation and ADL will be invaluable as I begin my career,” she said. “Learning from experienced attorneys will help me grow my skills as a rising public interest attorney. I’m just honored to have been selected for such a prestigious fellowship.”
Aisenberg’s dedication to public interest law was nurtured by her work with UHLC’s Immigration Clinic, an Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, and a Marvin D. Nathan Legal Fellowship at ADL. These experiences honed her legal research skills and strengthened her commitment, while she gained experience with issues such as children’s rights, immigration, discrimination and access.
She is actively involved at UHLC, serving as a constitutional law tutor, contracts tutor, secretary of the Jewish Legal Society, and a member of the Curriculum Committee.
As she prepares to begin the fellowship, Aisenberg hopes her journey encourages other students to pursue opportunities in public interest law, even when the path feels uncertain.
“Don’t worry about comparing yourself to others. Follow your own path and know it’s okay even if it changes along the way,” she said. See a complete list of 2026 Skadden Fellows: Skadden Fellowship Foundation | Skadden Fellowship Foundation
Q&A with Carola Aisenberg
Why did you choose UHLC?
CA: My family is in Houston and, being very family oriented, I wanted to stay close to them.
What is your favorite part about UHLC?
CA: I’ve learned from some great professors at UHLC, especially Professors Duncan, Portuondo, and Lopez, who are incredibly knowledgeable and truly supportive of their students.
What motivated you to become a lawyer?
CA: My parents taught me the value of “paying it forward” by leaving everything behind in Argentina to give me and my brothers better opportunities, inspiring me to do the same through law.
How has UHLC guided you toward this fellowship?
CA: Director Powers encouraged me to pursue the Marvin D. Nathan Fellowship, which allowed me to work directly with ADL’s policy counsel team. I’m honored and excited that, following my summer fellowship, ADL agreed to serve as my host organization for the Skadden Fellowship.
How do you balance law school, being a fellow and personal time and wellbeing?
CA: I really lean on my family and loved ones to stay grounded and keep things in perspective.
Have you had any notable role models who have influenced your law school journey?
CA: Two amazing supervisors at ADL and the Brandeis Center immediately come to mind. They encouraged me to work hard and trust myself. I’m also grateful for my relationship with Marvin and Nicole Nathan, who have been incredibly supportive throughout my Marvin D. Nathan Fellowship and beyond.
