CBL Scholars Program Connects Students to Bay Area’s Technology and VC Ecosystems 

• The UC Center for Business Law San Francisco created the CBL Scholars Program to develop a new generation of future leaders in business law. It’s supported by generous donations from individuals and corporate sponsors.
• The competitive program provides a scholarship and academic and professional mentorship to students entering the business law community from disadvantaged educational, economic, social, or physical backgrounds.

• CBL Scholars gain access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s technology and venture capital ecosystems, and to the extensive network that UC Law SF has among senior legal leaders across these industries. 

 

Meet the 2025 CBL Scholars

Erik Israel: An Angel Investment Was a ‘Lightbulb’ Moment that Led to Law School

I’m Erik Israel, and I’m from Marshall, N.C., a small town of about 800 people in the Appalachian Mountains. I majored in radiologic science at East Tennessee State University and worked in healthcare as a radiology tech. In 2020, I pivoted to full-time stock trading, where I focused on options, futures, and private investments.

I am proud to be part of the Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP) and First Gen program. I am also a 1L representative for the UC Law Association of Tax Students and the Health Law and Policy Society.

What drew you to business law? Why does this field interest you? 

I made an angel investment in a startup a couple of years ago, which entailed a lot of negotiation. The strategic implications of balancing my own investor rights with the needs of the company were super stimulating. That negotiation, combined with the realization that some of my favorite people are transactional lawyers, got me interested in the legal side of the investment space.

What’s your favorite UC Law SF memory so far? 

Being surrounded by super smart folks and finding my law and business community has been really fulfilling. CBL has been a big part of that!

What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship?

It’s incredibly validating and motivating. Going to law school is uncharted territory for a kid from Appalachia. I’ve seen so much lost potential in my family and am the first to graduate high school. Breaking the cycle has been a long, intimidating process. Receiving recognition of my potential motivates me to push even harder, so that I can pay it forward to others someday.

What do you hope to accomplish? How will this scholarship help support your goals?

I hope to stay closely connected to the investment space throughout my legal practice and potentially start my own VC fund. The amazing mentorship from the CBL gives me the opportunity to develop business acumen in parallel with my legal studies. That combination will allow me to be a more competent associate and develop deeper relationships with peers and clients.

 

Marilyn Aguilar-Portillo: Climbing the Corporate Ladder Sparked Sky High Ambitions for New CBL Scholar

I’m Marilyn Aguilar-Portillo from Los Angeles. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and am a proud Trojan (Fight On)! I double majored in psychology and philosophy.

I am a part of LEOP, First Gen, and serve as a 1L rep for the Latinx Law Students Association.

Why law school?

Before law school, I worked as a law clerk at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where I discovered my passion for advocacy within the legal field. However, as a 2019 graduate, I chose to postpone law school due to the COVID-19 pandemic and instead pursued a career in business.

I began as an entry-level support representative and quickly adapted to corporate environments, finding business practices highly intuitive. Within two months I was promoted to manager and within two years, I became the youngest and only female director at the company. Building on this momentum, I continued my career in business as a director of client relations across diverse industries, including various medical startups.

Through these roles, I developed a deep interest in the venture capital ecosystem and found excitement in the fast-paced, dynamic nature of working with startups. Law school represents the ideal opportunity to merge my business acumen with legal expertise, allowing me to navigate the intersection of law, business, and innovation effectively.

What drew you to business law and what do you hope to accomplish?

Business law provides the perfect platform for me to merge my skills with my passion for advocacy, leadership, and meaningful change.

I thrive in corporate settings and have developed a strong business acumen through my diverse professional experiences. From leading customer support teams in the lighting industry to navigating the fast-paced world of medical startups, I have gained firsthand insight into the complexities of business operations and leadership. These experiences have equipped me with the skills to analyze challenges from both a legal and business perspective.

Beyond my professional interests, I am deeply passionate about representation and paving the way for others like me in the legal and corporate worlds. As a first-generation law student and Latina, I understand the challenges of breaking into spaces where few people share my background. I aim to lead by example, demonstrating that women of color belong in influential positions.

By excelling in this field, I hope to inspire and empower others to pursue their goals with confidence and without hesitation, knowing they, too, can navigate and succeed in these industries.

What’s your favorite UC Law SF memory so far? 

One of my most memorable experiences at UC Law SF so far has been attending Barristers Ball with my friends. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a formal event, especially since I did not attend my high school prom. I truly appreciated the chance to dress up, celebrate with my colleagues, and connect with friends outside of our usual academic setting.

What does it mean to have been awarded this scholarship?

This scholarship is an incredible honor and a profound validation of my hard work, resilience, and aspirations. It represents more than just financial support—it is a recognition of my potential to contribute meaningfully to the field of business law. It is also a powerful affirmation that I am on the right path, reinforcing that my ambitions are both valid and achievable.

As the first college graduate in my family, I have not had extensive exposure to legal professionals, and this scholarship bridges that gap by connecting me with individuals and resources that will help me thrive. More than anything, it strengthens my commitment to not only succeeding in this field but also uplifting others who come from similar backgrounds. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and am excited to make the most of it.

 

Bubba Gleaves: From Starting a Business to Learning How Startups Help Underserved Communities

I was born and raised in north Idaho, and I played Division I softball at Columbia University, where I majored in political science and concentrated in business management.

I’m a 1L representative for the Business Law Society and the UC Law Association of Tax Students, and I’m also involved in the Pro Bono Program—volunteering for Homeless Legal Services and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Why law school?

I’ve dreamed of attending law school since I was a little girl, before I fully understood what it would actually entail. As I grew older, I realized I was indeed interested in all aspects of the field: critical reading, crafting a compelling argument, logical writing, solving complex problems, and ultimately being able to make a positive social change through the law.

My mom has always been a significant influence on my drive to excel. Attending law school was one of her passions when she was younger, though she never had the chance to pursue it. Instead, she dedicated herself to providing my brother and me with endless opportunities and support. She passed away four years ago, and since then, I’ve been driven to honor her legacy—accomplishing what she never had the opportunity to, but what she worked so hard to make possible for me.

What drew you to business law?

When my mom passed away during my sophomore year at Columbia, she left a small duplex in a nearby town to my brother and me. Determined to honor her legacy, we put the duplex under an LLC named after her and made it our goal to expand the business.

As I had no prior experience managing a business, I wanted to learn how to make the most informed decisions for our new company and was accepted into the Special Concentration in Business Management at Columbia.

One class in particular stood out. It was called Venturing to Change the World. The professors brought in an attorney to discuss the legal aspects of starting a business, and in that moment, I knew immediately that business law was the path I wanted to pursue.

The combination of my business education at Columbia, where I learned how emerging companies can positively impact economic ecosystems, and then also having hands-on experience managing my own company has solidified my passion for business law.

What’s your favorite UC Law SF memory so far?

My favorite memory so far probably took place within the first month of being here. A group of my classmates and I planned a hike to Mt. Tamalpais, before we really knew each other very well. It turned out to be an amazing day. The trek was challenging, the views were stunning, and we formed new friendships along the way.

This experience captures the essence of being in Lum Inn this year—everyone is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and eager to spend time together and have fun. They genuinely want to get to know each other and truly care about one another’s well-being.

What does it mean to have been awarded this scholarship?

This scholarship was one of my first major accomplishments at UC Law SF. It gave me the confidence that I’m truly capable of succeeding in law school and pursuing a career in business law.

It’s exciting to be able to share with my loved ones that not only am I doing what I love, but I’m also excelling at it. This scholarship signifies that I have what it takes to make the most of my law school experience and future career. I am continuously working to build my skills and attributes so that I can use them for the greater good, and this is just the first step in realizing those goals.

How will this scholarship help support your goals?

My goals include advocating for diversity within the legal profession, supporting the growth of small businesses in underserved communities, and eventually starting my own firm that upholds these values.

This scholarship will help ease the financial burden of law school, allowing me to focus my energy on what matters most: my education and professional development. It will also provide me with invaluable mentorship and access to a robust network, enabling me to make the connections necessary to achieve my goals. With these resources, I am confident that I can use the skills I am developing in law school to make a meaningful and positive impact on the community.