Events
About the Lawtina Network Summit
In August 2021, inspired by the success of the Lawtinas in Training 1L Bootcamp, alumna Brianna Chapa (J.D. ’23) founded the Lawtina Network. The Lawtina Network — in partnership with the St. Mary’s University School of Law faculty, staff and community partners, and Lawtina Network student organization chapters — proudly invites you to attend the Lawtina Network Summit on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Texas.
The Lawtina Network Summit celebrates Latinas at all stages of their legal career — from pre-law to practice. The summit will include info sessions, relationship-building activities and networking opportunities for pre-law and Latina lawyers across the country. For pre-law students, last year’s Law School Fair hit capacity with representatives from 12 law schools. This is a special opportunity for pre-law students. As the Lawtina Network continues to grow, Chapa hopes to make it into a nonprofit organization with chapters in law schools across the nation. This event is open to all Latinas in law and non-Latina allies who support their success.
Attending the Lawtina Summit was a life-changing moment for me. For the first time, I felt truly connected, seen and affirmed within the legal field. Being surrounded by Lawtinas who came before me and alongside me instilled a deep sense of pride in my culture and confidence in my place within the profession. I witnessed firsthand how we are breaking barriers and excelling in spaces where we have historically been underrepresented.
Immediately after attending the 2024 Summit, I knew I had to bring the Lawtina Network to the University of Texas at Austin. I founded the UT chapter so that other Lawtinas could experience the same sense of belonging, inspiration and empowerment that had such a profound impact on me. Today, Lawtinas at UT have a community that fosters connection, confidence and intentional preparation as they navigate their law school journeys and future legal careers. Lawtina fosters community, representation and collective empowerment, ensuring that Lawtinas know they belong and that their voices matter in the legal profession.
Alexia Barrera, UT Austin Lawtina Chapter Co-founder and President
Tracks
Three tracks will be available for participants: Pre-Law (for aspiring law students), Lawtina-in-Training (for law students) and Lawtinas (for members of the bench and bar). Each track will address common issues, questions and concerns that a Latina in Law might face at that stage of their legal career.
Pre-Law Track
Focused on aspiring Lawtinas, our pre-law track will cover law school application basics, financing and selecting a law school, and will join some of the Lawtinas-in-Training track sessions.
Lawtinas-in-Training Track
Focused on accepted or enrolled J.D. students, Lawtina-in-training will explore how to develop and discover one’s law school identity, creating a healthy state of mind, surviving finals, balancing family commitments, time management, managing relationships and academic success.
Lawtinas, Members of the Bench and Bar Track
This track focuses on growth, mindset, and personal and professional development. This includes personal branding and navigating employment, from seeking to negotiating to excelling. Most of all, we provide the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other Latinas in the legal profession.
The Lawtina Network Summit was a turning point in my law school career. I’m a first-generation law student who juggles school, working and keeping up with my husband and kids. I didn’t understand the importance of networking. When I attended my first Summit, I was able to connect with legal professionals who inspired me to dream bigger. Hearing their stories gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I thought were out of reach. At the Summit, I found mentors who introduced me to employers that ultimately offered me my first legal internship! I also built connections with other students who shared helpful study tips, and over time, our study sessions grew into meaningful, lasting friendships. I will be forever grateful for the Lawtina Network Summit and the positive impact it has had on my legal career.”
Zoe Quiroz-Banks, third-year J.D. student, St. Mary’s Law
2025 Lawtina Network Summit Chair
Registration
Registration for the 2026 Summit will open in April 2026.
Please contact us at lawtinanetwork@gmail.com with any questions.
Attending the Lawtina Network Summit allowed me to experience being surrounded by hardworking, intelligent women. This made me feel like anything is possible. Being around other Lawtinas gave me the hope that there will be more Lawtinas who will pursue becoming attorneys. I left feeling empowered and inspired for the future of Lawtinas cause it’s only up from here.”
Juliana Figueroa, third-year J.D. student, St. Mary’s Law
Become a Sponsor
Every aspect of our summit is organized by volunteers who believe deeply in our mission. From planning sessions to event day logistics, our team contributes countless hours to ensure a meaningful experience for our attendees.
While our people power is volunteer-driven, the summit itself is made possible through the generosity of sponsors.
Below is a list of available sponsorship levels, along with the benefits for each level. Our goal is to obtain sponsorships to fully defray the cost for our student chapters, and provide scholarships. We sincerely appreciate your support! Sponsorships received before Sept. 5 will be listed on our website. Questions? Email lawtinanetwork@gmail.com.
2026 Sponsorship Levels
MADRINAS – $3,000 or more:
- Registration for six (6) people to attend the summit
- Registration for six (6) people to attend the welcome reception
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on television monitors in the opening slideshow and event signage
- Three (3) mentions on Lawtina social media channels
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
COMADRES – $2,000 or more:
- Registration for four (4) people to attend the summit
- Registration for four (4) people to attend the welcome reception
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on television monitors in the opening slideshow and event signage
- Two (2) mentions on Lawtina social media channels
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
AMIGAS – $1,000:
- Registration for two (2) people to attend the summit
- Registration for two (2) people to attend the welcome reception
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a sponsor on television monitors in the opening slideshow and event signage
- One (1) mention on Lawtina social media channels
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
- Registration for two (2) people to attend the summit
- Registration for two (2) people to attend the welcome reception
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a sponsor on television monitors in the opening slideshow and event signage
- One (1) mention on Lawtina social media channels
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
QUERIDAS- $500:
- Registration for two (2) people to attend the summit
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a sponsor on television monitors in the opening slideshow and event signage
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
COMPAÑERAS- $300:
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of the company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
Sponsors
Title Sponsors
Madrinas Sponsor
Comadres Sponsor
Amigas Sponsors
Queridas Sponsor
Companeras Sponsor
Sponsorship payment can also be made by check to St. Mary’s University School of Law, specifying Lawtina Network Summit in the subject line.
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Checks can be mailed to:
St. Mary’s University School of Law
Attn: Office of the Dean
1 Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228
Never have I experienced a community as united and inspiring as the Lawtina Network! From pre-law tailored events to networking with Latina attorneys and judges, the Summit provides a powerful space where Latinas at every stage of their legal journey can connect and uplift one another. As a co-founder of the Lawtina Network branch at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this community has on aspiring Latina attorneys.
The 2025 Summit will be my third year attending, and each year it continues to exceed my expectations. I was also honored to receive the 2023 Lawtina Network Summit LSAT Scholarship, which helped cover the cost of my exam and showed the Network’s true commitment to helping Lawtinas succeed. This community continues to remind me why I’m so proud to pursue a legal career.”
Daisy Gonzalez, pre-law student, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Co-Founder, UTRGV Lawtina Network Chapter
The reason I am a third-year J.D. student at St Mary’s School of Law is all thanks to the Lawtina Network Summit. As an immigrant without any guidance, I knew what my path was, but I did not know how to get there. Brianna Chapa, the founder of this wonderful organization, took me under her wing and showed me the ropes. Attending the first-ever online summit was an experience that will forever shape my legal career. Attending the in-person summit last year was a testament to how many lives the Lawtina Network has impacted, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.”
Yuliana Gaytan Portillo
May 2025 J.D. graduate, St. Mary’s Law
2024 Lawtina Network Summit Chair