About the Lawtina Network Summit

Inspired by the success of the Lawtinas in Training 1L Bootcamp in Summer 2021, alumna Brianna Chapa (J.D. ’23), founder of the Lawtina Network registered student organization, in partnership with St. Mary’s Law faculty, staff and community partners, proudly invite you to the fourth annual Lawtina Network Summit with a welcome dinner on Friday, Sept. 19, for all registered participants.

The Lawtina Network Summit sessions and events will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, 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.

Attendees and organizers pose for a group photo at the 2024 Lawtina Network Summit on the campus of St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.
Attendees and organizers pose for a group photo at the 2024 Lawtina Network Summit on the campus of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

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.

Zoe Quiroz-Banks

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

This event is free for St. Mary’s faculty, staff and students. To request the promo code to register for free as a member of the St. Mary’s community, email lawtinanetwork@stmarytx.edu.

2025 Conference Registration is now open.


2025 Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Madrinas Sponsor

Bethbiriah “Beth” Sanchez

Comadres Sponsor

Amigas Sponsors

Sara E. Dysart and Catherine Torres-Stahl

Queridas Sponsor

Judge Robbie Partida-Kipness

Companeras Sponsor


Sponsorship Opportunities

St. Mary’s University School of Law is pleased to host this important event again. We need your continued support and participation to continue to make this event meaningful and innovative. We hope that you consider some of the options below.


2025 Sponsorship Levels

MADRINAS – $3,000 or more:
  • Registration for six (6) people
  • One (1) reserved company table at the Lawtina Meet the Employer Fair.
  • 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:
  • Registration for four (4) people
  • One (1) reserved company table at the Lawtina Meet the Employer Fair.
  • 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
  • One (1) reserved company table at the Lawtina Meet the Employer Fair.
  • 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.
  • A mention on Lawtina social media channels.
  • Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address.
QUERIDAS- $500:
  • Registration for two (2) people
  • One (1) reserved company table at the Lawtina Meet the Employer Fair.
  • 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.

Sponsorship payment can also be made by check to St. Mary’s University School of Law, specifying Lawtina Network Summit in the subject line. 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

Daisy Gonzalez

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


2025 Confirmed Speakers 

  • TBD

Lawtina Network Summit Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
TimesTracksEventsLocation
8:30 to 9 a.m.ALLCheck-in/Breakfast
9 to 9:15 a.m.ALLWelcome
9:15 to 9:45 a.m.ALLPlenary
9:45 to 9:50 a.m.BREAK
9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.ALLSession Theme: Challenging the Status Quo
10:50 to 11 a.m.BREAK
11 a.m. to NoonALLHelix / Session Theme: Flourishing in Adversity
Noon to 1 p.m.ALLLunch
1 to 1:15 p.m.BREAK
1:15 to 2:15 p.m.Pre-LawLaw School Fair
1:15 to 2:15 p.m.ALLSession Theme: Pay It Forward
2:15 to 2:45 p.m.ALLClosing

Hotel Accommodations

Special group rates are available for Lawtina Network Summit participants.  

Hotel Gibbs
105 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205

SpringHill Suites Medical Center
3636 N.W. Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78201

Omni La Mansión del Rio
112 College St., San Antonio, TX 78205

Juliana Figueroa

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


Ground Transportation

The School of Law will provide transportation to and from the conference hotels, and university campus. Should you wish to drive to San Antonio or utilize a rental car while in town, both hotel locations offer valet parking for a fee.

Uber and Lyft have a robust presence in San Antonio for attendees hoping to schedule independent transportation.


Contact Us

For questions about the summit, email lawtinanetwork@stmarytx.edu. For information about sponsorships, call the Office of the Dean at 210-436-3530.

Yuliana Gaytan Portillo

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

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