2025 Open Door Fellows

The NCBF Open Door Fellowship is a unique, competitive opportunity for first-year North Carolina law students. Open Door Fellows gain valuable, hands-on legal experience while widening their professional networks to “open doors” and prepare them for the next steps in their legal careers.

We seek applications from first-year law students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion through their activities, background and life experiences, as well as first-year law students who are members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including first-generation college students and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Applicants must be interested in practicing law in North Carolina, be enrolled full-time at an ABA-accredited North Carolina law school, and have a demonstrated commitment to the NCBF’s mission and values.

Congratulations to Josh Peacock and Suzy Brito Lagunas, the 2025 NCBF Open Door Fellows!

Josh Peacock is a 1L law student at Campbell University School of Law, where he has participated in the Second Chance pro bono project with Legal Aid of NC, and the 1L Mock Trial Competition. Prior to attending law school, Josh attended Liberty University and majored in Law and Policy Pre-Law. Josh is a first-generation college graduate who worked years as a welder and assisted his family on their chicken and cattle farm in Denton, NC before beginning legal studies. Josh currently resides in Pittsboro with his wife and two young children and is a member of Pleasant Grove Church. Through the Open Door Fellowship, Josh will be working at RDU Airport Authority under the guidance of Erin Locklear.

Suzy Brito Lagunas is a 1L law student at Campbell University School of Law, where she serves with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance pro bono program and is a member of the Hispanic Law Student Association, Business Law Association, and Women in Law. Suzy studied Business Administration and Public Policy at UNC-Chapel Hill before attending law school. She participated in study abroad programs in the Netherlands, Israel and Thailand, studying sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices, and she served as an AmeriCorps Local Government fellow for Lee County. Suzy is a first-generation US citizen, and she would like to use her law degree to support individuals and communities facing challenges as new immigrants. Through the Open Door Fellowship, Suzy will be working at IQVIA under the guidance of Jane Paksoy.