In 2006, at a diversity and inclusion conference, after hearing yet again the dismal statistics for female Hispanic and Latina lawyers in leadership positions in the legal profession, Natalia Martín and Karla Sanchez decided to do something about it. They wanted to create something different from a typical bar association; something intimate and informal, yet powerful. So they invited a number of Latina and female Hispanic colleagues to a breakfast, and the Cafecito was born. Over cafecitos (small cups of coffee) and through a list-serve, this informal network of Hispanic and Latina lawyers comes together to share contacts, information, job postings, experiences, referrals and friendship. Inter-generational by design, Latina/Hispanic women law students may also join as members. Cafecito membership includes judges, law professors, private and public sector practitioners, and former lawyers engaged in a variety of non-legal endeavors.
Cafecito meetings are free of charge, and are open to all member women attorneys and law students. Historically, the monthly meetings were held on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. But, to accommodate the varied different schedules of the Cafechicas they are now held on different days of the week and often in the evening, deemed a Vinito, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Often, the Cafecito features a guest speaker who gives brief remarks on a range of issues or topics of interest to the membership. Attendance can be anywhere from 30 to 100 lawyers and law students.
To date, most gatherings have been held in the New York City area, but right before the arrival of COVID-19, the first Cafecito was held in Miami. For the 2023-2024 season, we intend to have monthly meetings in Miami as well as NYC.
Since the first meeting in May of 2006, simply by word of mouth, Cafecito has grown to over 1,400 members.
