American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR
Claudia Fontanet-Rodríguez will spend her fellowship year with the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico (ACLU-PR), where she will contribute to impact litigation on a wide range of issues, including immigration, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. As Puerto Rico continues to confront complex legal and social challenges, Claudia is committed to advancing civil liberties and helping ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected. Through her work with ACLU-PR, she will support efforts to challenge injustice and promote equality across the Island.
At Harvard Law School, Claudia was an active member of both La Alianza and Lambda. She also served as a student attorney in the LGBTQ+ Rights and Advocacy Clinic, where she represented incarcerated LGBTQ+ individuals, advocating for alternatives to incarceration and increased access to supportive services and professional assistance. Under the supervision of Professor Catharine MacKinnon, Claudia’s LL.M. research examined the complex and evolving issues surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in sports. Through a comparative analysis of approaches adopted in various countries, she developed a set of guiding principles aimed at promoting fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity in athletic competition while recognizing the rights and interests of transgender individuals.
Prior to attending Harvard Law School, Claudia graduated at the top of her class from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law. During law school, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review and published two articles focused on LGBTQ+ rights. She was also actively involved in the Litigation Team and the Innocence Project student organization, where she developed her advocacy and litigation skills while advancing causes related to justice and civil rights. Claudia’s areas of interest include women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, sports law, and civil rights advocacy.