Events
About the Lawtina
Network Summit
Inspired by the success of the Lawtina in Training 1L Bootcamp in Summer 2021, third-year J.D. student Brianna Chapa, president of the newly formed Lawtina Network registered student organization, partnered with St. Mary’s Law faculty, staff, and community partners, such as title sponsor Helix Bar Review by AccessLex, to host the first Lawtina Network Summit. This in-person event will take place in San Antonio on Saturday, Aug. 6, celebrating 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. Attendees will also enjoy a welcome dinner on Friday, Aug.5.
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.
Registration for the 2022 event is now closed.
Second-year J.D. student Brianna Chapa leads the effort to organize the Lawtina Network Summit.
Tracks
Three tracks will be available for participants: Pre-Law (for aspiring law students), Lawtina-in-Training (for law students) and Lawtina (for members of the bench and bar). Each track will address common issues, questions and concerns that a “Lawtina” might face at that stage of her 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 Lawtina-in-Training track sessions.
Lawtina-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.
Lawtina, 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.
2022 Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Madrina
Watts Guerra LLP
Comadres
Espinoza Law Firm, PLLC
Amigas
The Hon. Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez
Deborah Cordova, (B.B.A. ’98, J.D. ’02) and Clarissa Benavides, (B.A. ’93, J.D. ’97)
Sanchez Law—Bethbiriah ‘Beth’ Sanchez, (J.D. ‘15)
Scholarship Sponsors
Sara Dysart, (B.A. ’74, J.D. ’81), attorney at Dysart Law and St. Mary’s University Trustee
Lira Casarez Defense Firm — Melanie Lira, (J.D. ’15)
Texas Latinx Judges
SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah
Kirkland and Ellis LLP
Baylor School of Law
San Antonio Young Lawyers Association
Clayton and Ramirez Law
National Association of Woman Judges
Jill Lynch Cruz, Ph.D., PCC
2022 Confirmed Speakers
- The Hon. Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez
- The Hon. Chief Justice Dori Contreras
- The Hon. Judge Antonia (Toni) Arteaga, (J.D. ’00)
- The Hon. U.S. District Court Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, (M.A. ’96, J.D. ’96)
- Aissa Barrera
- Briseida Bethancourt
- Claudia Galan
- Daniela Mondragon
- Deborah Cordova, (B.B.A. ’98, J.D. ’02)
- Erica Benites Giese
- Jill Lynch Cruz
- Leah Wise, Founder—The Leah Wise Latina Student Hardship Fund
- Marissa Rodriguez
- Nadeen Abou-Hossa
- Paulina Vera
- Pearl Cruz
- Sonia Rodriguez
- Fidel A. Calero, National Director – South, Helix Bar Review Engagement
- Teria M. Thornton, Pre-Law and Diversity Initiatives Director, Helix Bar Review Engagement
Lawtina Summit Schedule—Saturday, Aug.6
| Time | Track | Subject | Speaker | Room |
| 8-9 a.m. | All | Check-in and Breakfast | Law Library Commons | |
| 9-9:10 a.m. | All | Welcome Remarks | DeanPatty Roberts, J.D. | Law Library Commons |
| 9:10-10:15 a.m. | All | Few and Far Between: The Reality of Latina Lawyers | Jill Lynch Cruz, Ph.D., PCC | Law Library Commons |
| 10:15-10:30 a.m. | Break and Breakout | |||
| 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Pre-law | Admissions process/Law School Applications | Teria M. Thornton | LC100 |
| Law | Finding Your Path: From Law School to the Work Force | Daniela Mondragón Nadeen Abou-Hossa Pearl Cruz |
LC102 | |
| Lawyer | Empowerment Through Connection, Strategy and Mentorship | Marissa A. Rodriguez Sonia Rodriguez |
LC104 | |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Pre-law | Personal Statement Workshop | St. Mary’s University School of Law Admissions Office |
LC100 |
| Law | Winning Strategy—Grades; Time Management; Life and Family Balance | Fidel A. Calero Gabriela Salinas |
LC102 | |
| Lawyer | Knowing Your Worth | Erica Benitez Giese | LC104 | |
| 12:15-12:30 p.m. | Break | |||
| 12:30-1:50 | All | Luncheon Speakers: Latina Judges Panel | The Hon. Antonia “Toni” Arteaga The Hon. Dori Contreras The Hon. Marina Garcia Marmolejo, (M.A. ’96, J.D. ’96) The Hon. Rebeca C. Martinez |
Law Library Commons |
| 1:50-2 p.m. | Break | |||
| 2-2:45 p.m. | Pre-Law and Law | Build Your Brand | Leah Wise | LC102 |
| Lawyer | Breaking Barriers and Stereotypes | Small group discussion | LC104 | |
| 2:50-3:50 p.m. | Pre-Law and Law | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome | Deborah Cordova, (B.B.A. ’98, J.D. ’02) Paulina Vera |
LC102 |
| Lawyer | Lawyering in 2022 | Aissa Barrera Briseida Bethancourt Claudia Galan |
LC104 | |
| 3:50-4 p.m. | Break | |||
| 4-6 p.m. | All | Closing Remarks and Network Reception | Brianna Chapa | Law Library Commons |
Lawtina Summit Schedule – Saturday, Aug. 6
|
8-9 a.m. Room: Law Library Commons |
|
9-9:15 a.m. Dean Patty Roberts Room: Law Library Commons |
|
9:15-10:15 a.m. Jill Lynch Cruz, Ph.D., PCC Room: Law Library Commons |
| 10:15-10:30a.m. Break and Breakout |
| 10:30-11:30 a.m. |
|
Track: Pre-Law Teria M. Thornton Room: LC100 |
|
Track: Law Daniela Mondragón Room: LC102 |
|
Track: Lawyer Marissa A. Rodriguez Room: LC104 |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
|
Track: Pre-Law St. Mary’s University School of Law Room: LC100 |
|
Track: Law Fidel A. Calero Room: LC102 |
|
Track: Lawyer Erica Benitez Giese Rom: LC104 |
| 12:15-12:30 p.m. Break |
|
12:30-1:50 p.m. The Hon. Antonia “Toni” Arteaga Room: Law Library Commons |
| 1:50-2 p.m. Break |
| 2-2:45 p.m. |
|
Track: Pre-Law and Law Leah Wise Room: LC102 |
|
Track: Lawyer Small group discussion Room: LC104 |
| 2:50-3:50 p.m. |
|
Track: Pre-Law and Law Deborah Cordova, (B.B.A. ’98, J.D. ’02) Room: LC102 |
|
Track: Lawyer Aissa Barrera Room: LC104 |
| 3:50-4 p.m. Break |
|
4-6 p.m. Brianna Chapa Law Library Commons |
Sponsorship Opportunities
This event could not be made possible without the support of our sponsors. Please consider providing financial support via a sponsorship package. The deadline to become an official sponsor for the summit is Friday, July 15, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Sponsorship payment by check should be made 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
Madrinas $5,000 or more:
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
- Registration for eight guests to attend the Lawtina Network Summit
- Acknowledgement of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a top-level sponsor on television monitors in the opening slideshow, event signage and program
- A mention on Lawtina social media channels
- Community tables will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring collateral materials to share with fellow attendees.
- A reserved table at the Lawtina Network Summit event
Comadres $2,500:
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
- Registration for six guests to attend the Lawtina Network Summit
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a mid-level sponsor on television monitors in the opening slideshow, event signage and event program
- A mention on Lawtina social media outlets
- Community tables will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring collateral materials to share with other attendees.
- A reserved table at the Lawtina Network Summit event
Amigas $1,500:
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
- Registration for four guests to attend the Lawtina Network 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, event signage and program
- Community tables will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring collateral materials to share with other attendees.
- A reserved table at the Lawtina Network Summit event
Scholarships $500:
- This donation level will cover 10 pre-law or law student registration fees to attend the event.
- Recognition of your contribution during the dean’s address
- Acknowledgment of your contribution and listing of company name on the Lawtina Network webpage
- A listing of your company name as a sponsor on event signage
- Community tables will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring collateral materials to share with other attendees.
Hotel Accommodations
St. Mary’s University School of Law is proud to offer two excellent lodging options for Lawtina Network Summit attendees.
Menger Hotel
204 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Hotel Gibbs
105 N Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Ground Transportation
The School of Law will provide transportation to and from the conference hotels, and university campus. Transportation will be via charter bus. 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
Are you interested in learning more about the Lawtina Network Summit, or want to get involved? Contact us at lawtinanetwork@stmarytx.edu for more information. For information about sponsorships, call the Office of the Dean at 210-436-3530.