Irma Vargas

Irma Vargas serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law and supervising attorney at the Post-Conviction Justice Project within the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. With a decade of frontline experience in criminal justice advocacy, she represents clients across Los Angeles County while mentoring law students in clinical practice.

Educational background:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from USC Gould School of Law (2014)

Her professional focus centers on criminal law and post-conviction relief, specializing in indigent defense through both her academic role and active practice as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender. Vargas bridges theoretical legal education with real-world criminal justice system navigation, emphasizing client advocacy and systemic reform in Los Angeles County courts.

At the Post-Conviction Justice Project, she supervises student attorneys handling actual criminal cases, providing critical hands-on training in litigation, evidence review, and constitutional challenges while delivering legal services to underserved populations. This dual role as educator and practicing attorney creates direct pathways for law students to engage with criminal justice reform through clinical experience.