LOS ANGELES - The Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department hosted LA Law Day today, an upward mobility event focused on changing the odds for LA students and youth by expanding avenues to a legal career. More than 60 attendees met lawyers, judges, law school deans and more to demystify the process of getting into law school and why they should consider a fulfilling career in law.
"Seeing these aspiring law students get informed and inspired, knowing that they, too could one day reach the Supreme Court, was a reminder of why we are in this work for equity and empowerment," said LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox. "Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Justice Patricia Guerrero may be firsts to reach the bench, but they will not be the last."
Watch Breakout Room 1: "How I Made It: Journeys to and From Law School"
Watch Breakout Room 2: "Surviving Your 1L"
Earlier this week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman confirmed to the United States Supreme Court. In March, Judge Patricia Guerrero became the first Latina appointed to the California Supreme Court. Both pointed to mentorship and support at an early age to their success.
LA Law Day welcomed potential law students from across Southern California and around the world, including Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Afghanistan. Students as young as Middle School joined with working parents to learn about how to choose a legal career, how to survive the first year of law school, and how LA's top legal minds made their success.
LA Law Day included inspiring words from LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who was the first in his family to attend law school and told attendees "don't ever let setbacks stop you." Human Relations Commissioner Ysabel Jurado and Presiding Judge Eric Taylor of LA Superior Court also gave opening remarks.
The event included a panel discussion and live Q&A featuring Manjusha Kulkarni, Esq, Executive Director of AAPI Equality Alliance & Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate, Marissa Montes, Esq, Director and Professor of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) and LA City Civil Rights Commissioner, Cynthia Gonzalez, Esq, Neighborhood Prosecutor serving Hollenbeck, Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, and Marjorie Williams, Esq, Entertainment Law Attorney.
The event also featured three breakout rooms where attendees could speak directly with the lawyers, judges and law schools in attendance. Breakout Rooms featured a range of speakers, including:
- Brian Charles Walker, J.D., CEO of Picture Motion,
- Phil Lam, Esq, Deputy City Attorney, City of Los Angeles, and the first Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Outreach at LACBA,
- Chalak Richards, Esq, Dean of Student life, Diversity and Belonging at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
- DeAndré Aubry, Esq, Founder & CEO of Legally Fit
- Tony Tolbert, Assistant Director of Admissions/Adjunct Faculty, UCLA Law
- Jennifer E. O'Connor, J.D., Ambassador, Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
- Kath Rogers, Esq, Professor at USC Agents of Change & Attorney at ACLU
- Melinda Sims, Esq, LA County Public Defender and President of the Black Public Defender’s Association
- Capri Maddox, Esq, Executive Director of LA Civil Rights
LA Civil Rights would like to thank all our speakers for sharing their wisdom with our attendees. To learn more about LA Civil Rights or our programming, please visit civilandhumanrights.lacity.org or email civilandhumanrights@lacity.org.
Thank you as all to LA Law Day event sponsors:
LA County Bar Association, Langston Bar Association, Good City Mentors, Law School Admissions Council, UCLA School of Law, Pepperdine School of Law, Southwestern Law School, LAUSD Empowering Student Voice, Women Lawyers Association of LA, the Black Public Defender’s Association, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, USC Agents of Change, Loyola Law School Immigrant Justice Center, Legally Fit, and AAPI Equity Alliance.