Be the Reason: Meet Jesús Quiñones Pares

Saint Louis University School of Law Student

Jesús Quiñones Pares decided to make a midcareer professional pivot after working at Casa de Salud, a St. Louis health and mental health clinic serving uninsured and underinsured immigrants and refugees, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspired by that experience, he began pursuing his passion for becoming a healthcare attorney. Now in his third year at Saint Louis University School of Law, Quiñones Pares said he is grateful to be earning his Juris Doctor from SLU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2013 and a master’s degree in communication in 2021.

“SLU has been a consistent part of my professional, personal and academic journey,” Quiñones Pares said. “I chose SLU LAW because of my undergraduate experience and because it built upon my career. It offered me the opportunity to merge my background with my passion for public policy.”

Investing in Students Creates New Opportunities

Originally from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Quiñones Pares moved to St. Louis 16 years ago. As a first-generation law student, he said he never imagined he would have the opportunity to attend law school. 

Donor support changed that, he said.

“Scholarships provide an immediate ladder, if you will, for students like me who don’t necessarily have the means to attend a university like SLU,” Quiñones Pares said. “The funding I received gave me the flexibility to put my life on hold and dedicate my full attention to developing the skills I need to become a lawyer.”

It is because of the generosity of donors that I’m able to dedicate my entire being to pursuing my passion. Thank you.”

Jesús Quiñones Pares

Without financial assistance, Quiñones Pares said, he would need to work one or two jobs while keeping up with a rigorous law school curriculum. Instead, he has been able to focus on expanding his legal knowledge as editor of the Saint Louis University Law Journal, a teaching assistant for the Legal Analysis, Research and Communication (LARC) course, and a participant in the faculty fellowship program. He also worked as a summer associate at Polsinelli’s St. Louis office, contributing to substantive legal projects.

“I’ve been able to build relationships with attorneys across the firm and the country,” Quiñones Pares said. “The program gives students a great opportunity to practice the skills we learn and apply them in the real world. It has also strengthened my desire to become a healthcare lawyer.”

Turning Passion into Practice

Quiñones Pares said he appreciates SLU LAW’s health law program, which was ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report in 2026, because it enables students, faculty and practitioners to address some of the most complex healthcare challenges, as well as regulatory and public policy-level issues.

“It’s a blessing to have the University’s resources and values behind the program, which align well with the goals that address these complicated healthcare needs,” he said. 

After graduation, Quiñones Pares hopes to work with clients to help address legal challenges facing the healthcare industry.

“It is because of the generosity of donors that I’m able to dedicate my entire being to pursuing my passion. Thank you,” he said.

You can be the reason Saint Louis University students like Jesús Quiñones Pares are able to access a transformative education. Make your gift today.