Fordham’s Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) was created to help foster a sense of community for Latinx students at Fordham Law. Much of LALSA’s work centers around helping first-year students adapt to law school through mentorship programs, hosting panels on professional development, and offering a range of events that connect students to the Latinx legal community in New York City.
LALSA president Cristian Vega ’25 talked about Latinx Heritage Month, the group’s goals for the upcoming academic year, and how students can get involved.
LALSA members celebrating Latinx Heritage Month at the “Passport to Latin America” event
Why is it important to have LALSA at Fordham Law School?
LALSA is an essential part of Fordham Law School. We foster a tight-knit community for students, especially those of Latinx backgrounds, providing personal, academic, and professional support. Our students come from diverse and vibrant cultural backgrounds and LALSA takes pride in honoring and celebrating each one. Additionally, LALSA serves as a platform for cultivating future leaders, and our alumni consistently return to support the next generation of Latinx lawyers.
What are LALSA’s goals for this academic year?
LALSA is dedicated to cultivating well-rounded future lawyers, and to achieve this, we have outlined our objectives to include professional, personal, and educational support.
In the professional realm, LALSA will continue to host Firm Connection events. This opportunity allows students to network with associates and partners from the largest law firms. Our alumni, who often work at these firms, also eagerly participate in these events and engage with our students. We will also hold panels and discussions on networking strategies, diversity fellowships, and the job search process. We’re also looking forward to continuing our interaction with alumni through our Fall and Spring Alumni Mixers.
As for personal support, we offer various opportunities for our members to build community. This fall, we welcomed 19 1L and LL.M. representatives who get to learn the ins and outs of our executive board. This is a wonderful opportunity to build community while gaining leadership skills. We are also excited to continue our PALS Mentorship Program, in which upperclass students are paired with 1Ls. Upperclass students serve as a support system to the 1Ls and provide invaluable advice. We also hold fun social events for our students.
In terms of academic support, we will continue to hold office hours and general body meetings for students, with a focus on the needs of our 1Ls. During these sessions, we provide guidance on effective study methods, approaching professors during office hours, and various other academic strategies.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of LALSA and why?
I enjoy building community and helping students realize that they are essential to the fabric of Fordham Law. It’s always exciting to meet 1Ls at LALSA’s annual Picnic in the Park and then seeing them transform into leaders at the Law School after joining our executive board or serving as mentors.
Why is it important to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month?
Latinx Heritage Month is important because it is a time for us to come together and recognize how our heritage can bring a diverse group together. Moreover, it serves as a time for our community to learn how we can continue to make the strides that we have made.
What does LALSA have in store for Latinx Heritage Month? Are there events here on campus and in New York City that students should know about?
LALSA celebrated Latinx Heritage Month by holding our “Passport to Latin America” event which featured food from vendors across New York City. The event was well-received, with over 150 students from the Fordham Law community enjoying the delicious foods from seven different countries.
We are also launching our mentorship program this month with the aim of cultivating the next generation of Latinx leaders. Additionally, LALSA is thrilled to host a panel with Fordham undergraduate students and the IDEAL Program to provide critical information about attending law school.
Do you need to be a member of the Latinx community to be a part of LALSA? How can students get involved?
LALSA is a community open to everyone! Our mission is to provide support to Latinx students at Fordham Law. However, membership is not limited to Latinx individuals. All students are encouraged to attend our events and join our community!
How can students connect with you and stay in touch (e.g., social media platforms, Google events calendar, subscription link to e-newsletters)?
If you would like to receive weekly newsletters from LALSA, please email [email protected]! You can also follow us on Instagram at @fordhamlalsa.
