On October 25, 2025, the LA Civil Rights Department hosted its fourth annual LA Law Day, an upward mobility program designed to demystify the path to law school and legal careers and encourage more students to enter the legal profession. Attorneys from both public and private sectors shared insight on traditional and nontraditional routes into law. More than 110 attendees from across the country joined sessions on LSAT preparation, paying for law school, and navigating a wide range of legal careers.
LA Law Day opened with inspiration and practical guidance from city and county leaders. Hydee Soto Feldstein, the first Latina and first woman to serve as Los Angeles City Attorney, offered career advice and personal reflections. Participants also heard encouraging remarks from the Honorable Latrice Byrdsong, Esq., Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
The program featured a panel discussion and live Q&A with Honorable Cindy Pánuco, Esq., Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court; Lita Richardson, Esq., entertainment attorney, executive, and producer; and H. Marissa Montes, Esq., Associate Clinical Professor and Clinical Director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic.
Attendees also participated in four interactive breakout sessions with legal professionals:
Breakout Room 1: How I Made It — Journeys to Law School
Breakout Room 2: Surviving Your 1L Year
Breakout Room 3: Careers in Law
Breakout Room 4: Law School Admissions Process
Breakout speakers included:
- Honorable Kelvin D. Filer, Esq., Supervising Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court
- Candice Cho, Esq., Vice Chair, Human Relations Commission
- Abigail Zelenski, Esq., Principal, Zelenski Law, PC; Chair, LA Civil Rights Commission
- Anh Truong, Esq., Regulatory Prosecution Division, LA City Attorney’s Office
- Chalak Richards, Esq., Dean of Students, Belonging, and Career Development, Pepperdine Law School
- Isidro Zuniga, 2L, Stanford Law School
- Kasandra Hernandez-Rodriguez, 2L, New England Law School
A comprehensive LA Law Day Resource Guide is available here.
LA Civil Rights thanks each speaker for sharing their journey and expertise. To learn more about LA Civil Rights programs and services, visit civilandhumanrights.lacity.org or email civilandhumanrights@lacity.org