Denali Lukacinsky

2024 Crime Victim Law Conference Writing Competition award recipient

Denali Lukacinsky is a third-year law student at Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, with a passion for advocating for victims’ rights and providing trauma-informed legal services to individuals in the criminal legal system. She aspires to become a public defender, focusing on victims treated as offenders and the intersection of victims’ and defendants’ rights.

Before pursuing her legal career, Denali worked with a nonprofit in Alaska, where she designed and delivered quarterly trainings on important topics like gender bias, workplace harassment, and healthy communication to the National Park Service. Her dedication to victim advocacy began in 2015, with volunteering for a sexual assault crisis line. She then transitioned to prevention and later direct service work, where she supported clients navigating the legal system. This experience motivated her to seek a more holistic understanding of individuals who have suffered harm and are later charged with or convicted of crimes.

Aside from her academic pursuits, Denali is actively involved in student organizations, serving as the Social Media Chair of the John P. Morris Black Law Students Association and Secretary and past President of the Government Public Interest Law Student Association. With a strong commitment to social justice and a drive to make a positive impact, Denali is ready to make substantial contributions to the field of law and advocacy for victims’ rights.