The National Latina/o Law Students Association (NLLSA) is the only student-run organization dedicated to strengthening the network of Latino law students around the country. NLLSA’s mission is to empower our members to serve all communities in need. The organization is designed to not only help Latina/o law students succeed in law school, but also to advocate on behalf of issues that are important to our community.
There are nearly 50 millions Hispanics in the United States today, which is more than any other country in the world aside from Mexico. The region’s importance to American interests, both domestic and foreign, cannot be overstated. This year we hope to highlight those issues that remain important to our community in the United States, as well as celebrate those successes that have brought us this far.
Our National Board is comprised of students from law schools around the country. If you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns about the direction of the organization, or simply would like to talk, email me at chair@nllsa.org. David A. Perez
NLLSA Chair 2008-2010
Yale Law School 2010
Conference Recap
2009 THEME: LA FUERZA DEL CAMBIO, LA ESPERANZA DEL FUTURO
Hundreds of law students from across the U.S. gathered in Chicago to learn leadership skills and prepare for life after graduation. The yearly conference aims to inspire greatness in law students of varying social, cultural and racial backgrounds.
This year’s conference featured topical discussions and workshops addressing everything from Latino issues in the upcoming census to starting your own legal practice. Academics, judges, practitioners and public servants shared their wisdom with us over the course of three days. Networking events and opportunities to enjoy the city’s cultural sights and vibrant nightlife also played an important role in building our community. As always, a service event gave attendees the chance to make a positive contribution; this year, we reached out to Chicago high school students through a mentorship program.
Message from the Public Relations Director
We look forward to working with all of you. We hope that you share your thoughts and ideas with us, so that we can spread them on a national level. We must take advantage of the opportunities we have been afforded. Through the current technology, internet and social networks we can gain a strong voice in this country and become a force to be reckoned with. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. With your talents, skills and enthusiasm Latinos in the U.S have a very bright future ahead.
George Cisneros
Public Relations Director
Regional Updates
Pacific: UCLA La Raza
UCLA School of Law boasts over sixty active members in La Raza Law Students Association. La Raza is headed by fellow NLLSA board members Brenda Montes and Juan Carlos González.
This past September, La Raza hosted the annual People of Color Workshop, which helped over 350 undergrads and college graduates tackle the law school application process.
Currently, La Raza is organizing the 2009/10 La Raza Alumni Dinner for February 5, 2010. The Alumni Dinner will allow current students to meet and greet Raza Alumni and Latinos from the legal community in an evening complete with an elegant three course meal, mariachi, and drinks. The nights’ honorees include the distinguished Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw and Jose Huizar, with special guest Carlos Moreno, a Supreme Court Justice of California.
Central: Loyola LALSA
The LALSA chapter at Loyola University Chicago School of Law recently kicked off the school year with the founding of the LALSA Trial Advocacy Competition Team. In organizing its inaugural team, LALSA’s mission was simple: provide Latino students with an opportunity to develop their trial skills and technique. Coached by Loyola LALSA alums, the team will compete at the 2010 National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition hosted by the John Marshall Law School in March. North Atlantic: Columbia LaLSA
The Latino/a Law Students Association (LaLSA) at Columbia hosted its annual awards banquet which has quickly established itself as an important tradition that honors the dedication and vision of Latino/as in the legal community. Its aim is to inspire future generations of leaders by recognizing the achievements of distinguished alumni: Juan G. Giráldez ('98), Priscilla Almodovar ('90), and Carlos Manuel Vázquez ('80).
This semester, CLS LaLSA led the efforts to organize the first Law School Admissions Conference For People of Color at Columbia Law School. The purpose of the conference was to demystify the law school application process and provide resources for prospective minority applicants. The conference was attended by about one hundred prospective minority applicants and due to its great success, there are plans to establish it as an annual tradition. Mid Atlantic: Howard LLSA
Howard University School of Law La Alianza (LLSA) chaired by President Taris Burgess, and Vice President Geovanny Martinez, celebrate their fourth year. La Alianza is working in conjunction with the Dean Schmoke in creating a foreign exchange program with Central American Law Schools. To begin the year, in a historically black university, this LLSA board produced 7 new members, by emphasizing that one does not need to know spanish or be Latina/o to care about Latino issues. To date, La Alianza has hosted a Movie Night, showing Stand and Deliver, and helped raise money for DC Aids awareness by participating in Octobers National Aids Walk.
South Atlantic: Nova Southeastern HLSA
For nearly 30 years, the Hispanic Law Student Association at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center has brought together students of Hispanic heritage and all other heritages to promote Hispanic awareness. HLSA's mission statement is "Raising Hispanic Prominence throughout South Florida and the legal community." To execute this mission, HLSA, which is led by Leon F. Hirzel, has created ties with local Bar Associations and engaged in an extensive community service campaign aimed at giving back to the community that had cradled Hispanic development for the past half century. HLSA provides an array of activities throughout the year, and members enjoy participating in various events such community service projects, legal clinics, fund raisers, speaker events, and our famous "Take a Judge to Lunch," a luncheon where judges and attorneys come together to meet with students, answer their questions, and provide guidance.
Mountain: UT CHLSA
The Chicano/Hispanic Law Students Association at The University of Texas School of Law, chaired by Christi Caballero, recently held it's trademark fundraiser, Fajita Fiesta. This year's event was one of the most successful to date attended by faculty, staff, and students. Fajita Fiesta is held each semester with proceeds going towards CHLSA's Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Northwestern: Seattle L.L.S.A.
The Seattle University School of Law Latino Law Student Association (L.L.S.A.) has solidified its relationship with the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW) and has ongoing contacts with many of its officers and members. Additionally, LBAW created a non-voting law student liaison position on its board. The position allows one student from each of Washington State’s three law schools to sit on the board to provide the student perspective and to transfer important LBAW news back to the Latina/o law student population. In addition, LBAW and L.L.S.A. have established a mentorship programs to match up law students with Latina/o attorneys working in their areas of interest.
L.L.S.A. is an active organization on campus and its membership continues to grow each school year. It participates in monthly LBAW legal clinics. Its members have participated in outreach programs to encourage high school students of color to pursue a career in the legal field, including the Youth and Justice Forum, a pipeline program with Eastern Washington University, and the Futures of the Law Institute. To raise the funds necessary to attend the NLLSA Conference, L.L.S.A. is planning to continue it’s semi-annual tamales sales.
