Rianka Macwan ’24 Awarded Unprecedented Third Year of ABA Fellowship Funding

Lewis & Clark Law School is pleased to announce that Rianka Macwan ’24 has been awarded an unprecedented third year of funding through the American Bar Association (ABA) Christine Brunswick Public Service Fellowship, allowing her to continue her groundbreaking work advocating for the tax rights of adults in custody.

As an ABA Christine Brunswick Fellow with Lewis & Clark’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), Rianka has led efforts to address the unique tax challenges adults in custody in Oregon face. Through her project, she has helped adults in custody navigate complex tax issues, recover tax refunds and economic impact payments, and protect their rights as taxpayers.

Rianka’s work has made a meaningful difference for an underserved population that often faces significant barriers to accessing tax assistance and legal representation. Her project has expanded its reach by engaging law students to represent adults in custody in tax controversies, provide consultations, and develop resources to support individuals during incarceration and as they prepare for reentry. Rianka has also taken on expanded leadership responsibilities, including teaching the Clinic’s summer session and pursuing litigation to address systemic issues affecting incarcerated taxpayers.

The unprecedented extension of her fellowship funding recognizes the importance of this work and will allow Rianka to build on the foundation she has established, continue representing adults in custody, and expand access to tax justice for one of Oregon’s most underserved communities.

Lewis & Clark Law School’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is grateful to the ABA and the Christine Brunswick Fellowship for their continued support of Rianka and this important work.