Upon graduation from the University of Kansas School of Law in Spring 2023, Madeline Calcagno joined Kansas Holistic Defenders as a criminal defense attorney. In her time in law school, Madeline earned an Advocacy Skills Certificate and was the recipient of various commendations, including the W. Ross Hutton Award for the best overall performance in KU’s Legal Aid clinic for the 2022-2023 school year and the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Juvenile Law.

While in law school, Madeline was an active student leader, serving as Vice President of the Public Interest Law Society, President of her 1L Class in the Student Bar Association, and Student Bar Association Secretary, as well as serving in a mentorship role as a Dean’s Fellow. Madeline focused on honing her advocacy and writing skills by serving on Moot Court Counsel, where she was a semi-finalist in the Wechsler National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition.

Madeline gained valuable legal experience while in law school by serving as a Summer Legal Fellow at the ACLU of Kansas and as a judicial intern for Chief Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. In both of these experiences, Madeline worked on matters related to criminal justice and completed research and writing assignments on intricate Constitutional issues.

Madeline’s extensive background in advocacy and passion for social justice led her to begin her legal career at Kansas Holistic Defenders, where she zealously advocates for individuals charged with misdemeanors in Douglas County District Court.