Rutgers Law–Camden Alumnus Invited to White House for Policy Briefing on Dominican Americans

Growing up in Washington Heights, New York as a first-generation Dominican American, Ragner Jaeger, a 2014 Rutgers Law–Camden alumnus, had dreams his peers likely did not: dreams of enrolling in college, earning a law degree, and even being invited to the White House. Earlier this month, all three of these dreams were fulfilled, and now he’s ready to pursue even more ambitious plans for himself.

At 28, Jaeger, an attorney with Garcia-Watts Law, LLC, was the youngest lawyer invited last month, through the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, to the White House Policy Briefing for Dominican Americans.

“Everyone in my family has always dreamed of touring the White House, but no one thought it would ever become a reality, let alone be invited to attend,” says Jaeger, who was one of 200 Dominican American leaders from across the country invited to attend.  “This was a tremendous opportunity for not only myself, but to those in my network because it proves that no matter your background, if you work hard, network and keep a positive attitude social barriers crumble and overcoming the impossible becomes an achievable goal.”

While he didn’t meet President Obama, the Rutgers Law–Camden alumnus met numerous high-ranking officials, who he says make decisions that affect the lives of Dominicans and minorities of all nationalities on an everyday basis.  Individuals like U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Wally Brewster.

As an attorney at Garcia-Watts Law, which is based in Camden and Newark, Ragner focuses on immigration, health care defense, and commercial transaction. He says due to the locations of the firm’s offices, and the nature of its practice, many of his clients are Hispanic and face issues he understands not only professionally, but personally. His clients, due to their lack of citizenship, face issues such as deportation, an inability to obtain business loans, or have their children qualify for financial aid.

 “Many of our clients who need our help are Dominicans, who like my mother came to this country to help build a better future for their children,” he says. “I was honored to be invited to the White House and to come together with other prominent leaders to collaborate on how to make a better future for Hispanics in this country. “

Jaeger says that his legal education at Rutgers, in which he was highly involved in numerous pro bono projects and public interest programs, has been instrumental to his success.

“Rutgers is my home away from home. Without Rutgers I would be a Dominican with a passion that wants to help make a difference but without an outlet or the resources to accomplish that goal,” notes Jaeger.

“I came to Rutgers because I knew it had a strong public interest background and could help me pursue my goals to become a better person by helping my community. One is not great if he or she stands alone, rather one is great if he or she helps those around them achieve greatness.”

While enrolled at Rutgers Law–Camden, Jaeger recalls with pride contributing to an effort that afforded 32 students to travel to impoverished regions around the country, providing needed legal assistance, including some 500 hours of free legal aid to Hurricane Katrina victims, and translating for a client in the bankruptcy clinic.

“I wanted to help because I know firsthand the feeling one gets when facing a language barrier. No one should ever feel lost when his or her rights are on the line,” he says. 

To aspiring attorneys, Jaeger insists that speaking up and being heard is just as important, as is expanding your professional network while in law school.

“Before coming to law school I did not know one lawyer. But through networking this has changed. Do not be afraid to connect with people on LinkedIn and occasionally send them a message,” he suggests to current law students. “Most importantly, network, network, network, not just with practicing lawyers, but with non-lawyers, classmates, and your friends from before law school. It is harder to maintain a connection than to obtain a connection.”

Just how has his trip to the White House inspired the Rutgers Law-Camden alumnus? He’s more determined than ever to make a difference to a community he continues to care for passionately. “I want to pay it forward for future Hispanic generations. My network has grown exponentially and I hope that it continues to grow.  I was fortunate enough to bring in new clients for my firm and hope that it continues to repeat itself.”