News

A sampling of news about our members in 2024:

Lourdes Rosado, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice wrote an OpEd.  Sonia Sotomayor does not need to resign.   She ends it like this, “If we’re going to set up a fitness test for long-serving government officials, let’s apply it across the three branches of government, and not just cherry-pick a “wise Latina” jurist.  Better yet, restore the Supreme Court’s moral authority through ethical standards that will hold them beyond reproach.”  Mic drop.

On Friday, Maria Fernandez and Denise Miranda were honored as two of El Diarios’ 31 influential Hispanic women at the 2024 MujeresDestacadas.  Represent!!

Maria Melendez, former Chief Diversity Officer and retired partner at Sidley Austin LLP, was the newest mujer featured on the Blazing Ember Podcast!  You can listen to part 1 here.

Olga Lucia Torres wrote an article about the potential fees associated with emailing your provider through the patient portal.  Take a read here.  Brava!

Fabiola Carrión was one of the contributors of a new book entitled Inclusive Aims: Rhetoric's Role in Reproductive Justice.  In her chapter, “Liberation: The Souths’ Rhetorical Framework for Reproductive Justice,” Fabiola compares and contrasts the barriers, opportunities, and victories of the American Souths – Latin America and the US South – in the fight to advance reproductive rights and justice.  Impressive!

Julie Anna Alvarez Rivera became the Co-Chair of NALP's Hispanic/Latinx Affinity Group during the Annual Education Conference in Boston last week and was also appointed to serve on NALP's new President's Task Force on Change Management.  Wepa!  Since October, Julie Anna has been serving as a Career Specialist with the Graduate Professional Development Program at Fordham Law School's International and Non-J.D. Programs department.

Melissa Rivero’s second novel, Flores and Miss Paula, is one of the eleven finalists for the 2024 Gotham Book Prize, an annual award that began during the first year of the pandemic to honor and support the best writing about New York City, whether fiction or nonfiction.  Felicidades, Melissa!

Edda Santiago will receive the 2024 Impact Award at the HNBA Region II (NY) Gala on July 18, 2024, which will be held at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan. The Impact Award recognizes Edda’s proven track record of serving the community, especially the most marginalized. To learn about Gala sponsorship opportunities or how to get involved, contact Patricia Rodriguez at Region2president@hnba.com. 

After taking time to write and publish her book, Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom, Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez has returned to big law as Dechert LLP’s new Talent Development Manager where she will work with attorneys on their professional development. Felicidades!

Colleen Faherty at the New York Office of the Attorney General was a part of the legal team that achieved a major victory in combating unlawful voting intimidation.  Specifically in National Coalition of Black Civic Participation v. Wohl, (SDNY Case No. 20-Civ-8668), the NY Attorney General and co-plaintiffs sued political conspiracists Wohl and Burkman for their conduct targeting black voters with a robocall campaign designed to prevent black New Yorkers from voting by mail ahead of the 2020 election.  After winning on summary judgment (finding defendants liable for targeting black voters and transmitting false and threatening messages intended to discourage voting), the parties were preparing for trial on the amount of damages before they came to terms in a significant settlement agreement for up to 1.25 million dollars. As AG James explained, “the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it belongs to everyone.  We will not allow anyone to threaten that right.”  Represent!

Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista has been appointed General Counsel at New York State Department of State.  Make us proud!

Lissette Duran received Columbia Law School LALSA’s Rising Star Award.  Kudos!

Justina K. Rivera has recently received not one, not two, but three, remarkable honors. She was featured in City & State's Inaugural 2024 Trailblazers in Law List, awarded the 2024 Fordham Law BLSA Public Servant Trailblazer Award, and recognized as one of the National Bar Association's Top 40 Under 40: Nation's Best Advocates Award for 2024. Felicidades, Justina! You’re on fire! 

Lourdes Rivera has been busy spreading the word!  She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 20 regarding The Continued Assault on Reproductive Freedoms in a Post-Dobbs America. She also participated in a podcast with journalist Maria Hinojosa, Latino USA, discussing Will Abortion Rights Energize the Latino Vote? And on RePROs Fight Back, she was in conversation with Prof. Dorothy Roberts, author of Killing the Black Body and Torn Apart, on Pregnancy Criminalization, Surveillance, and the Child Welfare System.  You go girl!!

The Hill published Tanya Kateri Hernandez’s opinion piece entitled The new census race categories 'erase' Afro Latins' on April 3.  You can read it here.  Nice work!

Judge Joanne D. Quinones was interviewed by Amici for its Diversity in the Courts podcast.  Listen here.  Natalia so enjoyed listening to her answering questions about ‘Camp Quinones,’ her love of Wonder Woman memorabilia, growing up in Bushwick, and so much more! Here is the conversation in pdf format: Judge Quinones final.pdf (nycourts.gov) She inspires me to do more! 

Jacabed Rodriguez spoke at a webinar entitled Understanding the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA).  FEPA was signed into law in December 2023 and the webinar was offered by DLA Piper, where she is Of Counsel: Understanding the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) | DLA Piper 

Edda Santiago gets a double shout out.  She received the 2024 Outstanding Alumna Award at the St. John’s Law School Annual Women in the Law Celebration hosted by the law school’s Alumnae Leadership Council and the Women’s Law Society on March 21, 2024 – the same day Edda was recognized as one of the HNBA Top Lawyers under 40 at the 2024 Corporate Counsel Conference in Seattle.  This mujer is on fire!  ¡Felicidades Edda!

Jeannette Vargas has been nominated by President Biden to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.   Felicidades Jeannette y buena suerte con este proceso! 

Grissel Seijo will receive Fordham LALSA’s annual Andrew A. Rivera Alumni Achievement Award for her lasting contributions to Fordham Law and the Latino community.  Brava!

Lillian Marquez was recently promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief of the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office in the NY AG’s Office.  Brava!

Zila Acosta-Grimes is on the move joining Linklaters as a Senior Associate.  Good luck!

Waleska Suero Garcia is also on the move, over and up, joining Yankwitt LLP as Counsel.  Whepa!

Carla Luna has joined Massumi + Consoli as an M&A Associate in their New York office.  Nice going!

Tomasita Sherer is receiving the PRBA’s Flor de Maga award called “Big Law - Above the Curve.”  Congrats!

In addition to her position as a Legal Referral Counselor, Irma Valdez is happy to announce that she has also joined Corcoran Realty Group as a Real Estate Agent.  WOW!  Irma is excited to help buyers, sellers and apartment dwellers find their dream homes. She has an incredible eye for real estate and neighborhood infrastructure – probably because she has been working in real estate for over 20 years and has purchased five investment properties herself.  Irma is a member of our Cafechicas Book Club and would love to chat with you about your hopes/dreams about building your wealth via real estate in NY or anywhere in the USA or abroad.   If you want to reach out to Irma, you can contact her at irma.valdez@corcoran.com or 503-475-4899.

Anjanette (Anjie) Cabrera, a partner at Constangy, will present at the 2024 Hispanic National Bar Association Corporate Counsel Conference in Seattle, Washington. The event is scheduled from March 20th to March 22nd at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Anjie will join a panel – “Make It Rain: Who Controls the Weather?” - at 9:30 a.m. PT on March 21st to discuss business development and the importance of the relationship between corporate counsel and attorneys at law firms. She will also moderate a panel – “From Hire to Fire and Everything in Between: An Update on the Maze of Workplace Rights and Rules” – at 11 a.m. PT on March 22nd.  Represent!

Yessica Pinales co-authored a piece on her firm’s blog entitled Navigating Loan Transactions: Borrower’s Due Diligence Process.  Nice!  Read it here.

Melissa Rivero spoke at a Center for Fiction event on March 12 in conversation with fellow author Gina Chung.  We so proud!

Daniela de la Piedra has accepted a new part-time role as Career Advisor for LLM students at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University in Arlington, VA (outside of DC). If your workplace looks for and hires international attorneys and LLMs, Daniela would love to hear from you! ddelapie@gmu.edu. 

Maria Orellana is back in NYC and working as a principal law clerk for Judge Andrew Borrock in NY Supreme, Commercial Division.

On March 1st at the Fordham Law Alumni Association (FLAA) Annual Luncheon at Cipriani, Brenda L. Gill was elected as the first person of color to serve as President of the FLAA in its 100-year history.  She has served on the FLAA for 10 years and when she first joined there were no black or brown alumni on the board, prompting her to create the Alumni Attorneys of Color, which now has 800 members several of whom serve on the FLAA.  She is excited to finally break the glass ceiling and looks forward to a groundbreaking two years as FLAA President.  Congratulations y Buena Suerte!

 On March 7th at the NY Trial Lawyers Association’s Women’s Law Caucus Influential Women in Law reception, Judge Jenny Rivera will be honored!  Learn more here.  Brava!

The HNBA has announced their 2024 list of “HNBA/VIA Top Lawyers Under 40” Awards.  Cafechicas abound!  Andrenna Hidalgo Berggren, Lina M. Martinez, Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino, and Edda J. Santiago all made the list.  Whepa!!  Congrats mujeres!  (Note:  16 of the 25 were women.  Muah).

 Miami-based Mariana Seixas was named on the Legal 500 (Legalese) GC Powerlist Miami 2024.  Felicidades!

Michelle Abad is on the move and has joined Winston & Strawn as a partner in their Structured Finance Department in New York.  Buena suerte!

Melissa Rivero will be doing a reading at University of Miami on the afternoon of March 5 of her new and second book Paula and Miss Flores.  More info here.

Here is an OpEd by Lourdes A. Rivera about the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision about embryos and IVF: What the Alabama Supreme Court’s Decision Says About Our Failing Democracy | HuffPost (ampproject.org) 

Andrea Saavedra, former Assistant Dean for Judicial Careers at Columbia Law School, was selected as Columbia Law’s new Associate Dean for Registration and Student Services! Felicidades!!! 

Raquel Begleiter is on the move, joining Milbank as an associate.  Buena suerte!

Isabel Abislaiman’s appellate briefs submitted and pending decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit have been referenced in the First Memorandum published by the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the Insular Cases and the Non-Incorporation Doctrine and its effect on the civil rights of residents of Puerto Rico. The memorandum can be found in English at this link.  May justice be served soon!

Rosemarin Belliard was honored by the Ellis Island Honors Society, an organization which honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity and celebrates the contributions immigrants have made to our nation.  Brava!

Alessandra Carcaterra Messing, managing shareholder at Messing Law, was featured in this New York Post article. On behalf of her client, Darryl McPherson, Alessandra initiated a case against luxury streetwear brand Kith, after the fashion brand used his likeness for its 2023 Black History Month campaign without consent. As stated in the court papers, “…[U]sing marginalized groups for profit through performative brand activism one or two months a year—while ignoring the realities, concerns, and needs of those groups, including the very individuals that comprise them—unfairly treats them, their allies, and their supporters as a mere consumption market. Actions speak louder than words. Plaintiff brings this action for that very reason; to hold Defendant, a sophisticated luxury retail brand, accountable for commercially profiting from, and failing to remedy, its unauthorized, nonconsensual exploitation of Plaintiff’s portrait, image, and likeness as part of a commercial brand activism campaign purporting to support the Black community during Black History Month last year.”  Mic drop.

Adrienne Valencia Garcia was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Fordham Law Alumni Association.  Represent!

Zoila del Castillo will be honored this Thursday, February 22nd by Hostos Community College.  Felicidades!

Jasmine Guadalupe, founder of The Hood Hikers, was featured in this BBC article.  “For decades, the outdoors has been a predominantly white field,” says Jasmine Guadalupe, a New Yorker with Puerto Rican heritage. “Inner-city people [of colour] might say: ‘You are going hiking? That's for white people.’”  Check out Hood Hikers here and take a hike!

Adrienne Valencia Garcia is featured in Episode 9 of the Blazing Ember Podcast (a podcast hosted by two other Cafechicas, Diana Santos and Maria Fernandez).  In this podcast episode, Adrienne, Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Commercial for Cengage Group, shares her inspiring career journey from aspiring pediatrician to successful lawyer. The discussion delves into the significance of networking, seizing opportunities, and receiving constructive feedback, especially for lawyers of color. The episode also explores challenges and strategies for processing feedback in professional settings, the experience of being a Latina in the technology field, and the importance of representation in driving influence.  Listen on Apple Podcasts or here

Jessica Ortiz is starting a new position as Executive Director and Associate General Counsel at Ernst & Young Global Limited.  Congrats!

Margarita Ramos is also on the move, starting as Head of Employee Relations and Investigations for the Americas and Europe at Splunk. Wow! 

Yaneris M. Rosa was one of the ten new members of the HNBA’s Poder25!  Make it work for you!

Karla Del Pozo García was promoted to Managing Associate at Dentons.  You go mujer!

Wanda Sanchez Day, the general and senior policy counsel for Organizacion Latino-Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island, will be honored at the New York City Bar Association's International Law Conference on the Status of Women on March 8.  Whepa!

Nancy Trasande is moving up and over.  She is starting a new position as Chief of the Civil Rights Section at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.  Represent!

Edda Santiago was promoted to Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Covenant House International. Congrats!

Karla P. Rosero is starting a new position as Immigration Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney at Legal Services NYC.  Good luck!

Ivonne Norman was recognized with the 2024 “Council of Merit Award” by the New York State Bar Association at the annual meeting held on January 17, 2024 in New York City for her outstanding service to the Environmental & Energy Law Section and its members. We are so proud of you Ivonne!

Professor Solangel Maldonado of Seton Hall Law School has a new book coming out in May:  The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality.  Be sure to pick it up!

To the Cafechicas of the new Board of the DBA – Rosemarin Belliard who is President; Dorian Rojas, President-Elect; Dannaliz Mieses, Vice-President of Membership and Committees; Jennifer Henriquez, Corresponding Secretary; Janelle Romero, Recording Secretary and Crismelly Morales, Board member.  They will be sworn in next week by Cafechica Rita Mella!  Felicidades and make us proud!

Diana G. Santos was promoted to Senior Counsel, Global Generative AI Lead for Consulting at IBM!  Wepa

Sharitza Lopez-Rodriguez is starting a new position as Director of Legal Operations and Compliance at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers!  Congrats!

Eliberty Lopez is featured in the very first edition of her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon’s Hispanic-Latino Alumni Association's Alumni Spotlight Series!  Check out the interview transcript or watch the full video here.  Nice going!

Melissa Rivero’s second novel, Flores and Miss Paula, has been published: Flores and Miss Paula: A Novel by Melissa Rivero, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)  Melissa will be our guest at the upcoming January 17 Cafecito! Felicidades, Melissa!

Ivonne Norman has been featured as the “New Member Profile” in the latest edition of The New York Environmental Lawyer (p. 24), a publication by the Environmental & Energy Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Ivonne's unwavering efforts to reinvent herself as a professional and a peek at her personal life are the focus of this article. Keep up the good work mujer!

A sampling of news about our members in 2023:

Angie Khawly started her own law firm, Khawly Law PLLC in July 2023, following the birth of her third child. Her vision was to create a space for BIPOC attorneys where they can be themselves and maintain a healthy work life balance all while providing clients with top quality zealous representation in a post-pandemic virtual world. Khawly Law has two firm initiatives built on educating our communities. The first, #KhawlyKnowledgedrops - every Tues. & Thurs. Angie drops nuggets of knowledge to help business owners assess risk and protect their businesses.  The second, #KhawlyKnowledgeBarSeries - each month Khawly Law serves up a #Lawtender (attorney) in a specific law practice to educate the Brooklyn community about legal topics that are vital in their everyday life. The latest #KhawlyknowledgeBarseries can be found here.  Congrats Angie!!

Diana Santos will be debuting as an adjunct, teaching a new course in the Spring at Fordham Law School on Artificial Intelligence.  Brava!

Nancy M. Trasande is on the move.  She has become the Chief of the Civil Rights Section and Deputy Attorney General at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General!  Brava!!

Carmen Segarra recently added to her long list of languages a Dutch proficiency certification.  Gefeliciteerd!  She reminded me that learning a new language, like playing a new instrument or learning a new game, or playing puzzles, particularly as we age and go through menopause are ways of protecting your brain and improving your health!  And it serves as a reminder that we always have more to learn and more to give!

Lourdes Rivera had a letter to the editor published in WAPO. Brava!

Jodie Roure will become the inaugural Deputy Director at the ACLU Puerto Rico.  Felicidades!

Judge Bianka Perez gets a BIG shout out.  She became the first person of Dominican descent to serve as Associate Justice of the Appellate Term, First Department covering the First and Twelfth Judicial Districts.  Of course we celebrate all our mujeres as they become judges and get appointed to higher courts!  Congrats mujer!

Marissa Espinoza Icochea is on the move – she has joined Nuxon Peabody as an Associate AND got married. Congrats two times over Marissa!

Alma Magana, an assistant professor of law at Cardozo Law School, is officially now a published scholar!   Check out her work here.  Woot, way to go!!

Carina Patritti recently left The Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Unit after representing migrant children for almost a decade and moved to OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings) to become an Impartial Hearing Officer in the Special Education Division.  Good luck in the new endeavor!! 

Jessica Alvarez is starting a new position as Acting General Counsel at Hunter College!  Whepa! 

Elena Gonzalez, Desireé Borges and Rosemarin Belliard ran and completed the NYC marathon!!  Wepa!  You go, girls!   Were there others??

Lourdes Rivera gave the 2023 Omenn-Darling Health Policy Lecture at University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Service on November 8, along with Professor Paula Lantz.

Read Maribel Hernandez Rivera’s October 5 piece in Ms Magazine and be PROUD!   

Erika Lopez has joined Baker McKenzie’s Chicago office as a partner. Felicidades, Erika!

Queenie Paniagua, a St. John's University School of Law 2012 graduate, was recently appointed to the St. John's University Board of Governors, which provides strategic advice to the University's President and Board of Trustees. Quite an honor, Queenie!

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso was recognized as a 2023 Great Immigrant by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Brava!

Isabel Abislaimán is an honoree of Comité Noviembre's 2023 Puerto Rican Heritage Nuestro Orgullo Awards, due to her continued effort to claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the disabled, aged and blind low-income U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico in federal courts. The Gala and Benefit Dinner will take place on November 17, 2023, 6 p.m. at The Water Club, 500 East 30th Street, Manhattan. Brava!

Two Cafechicas, Maria Fernandez and Diana Santos have started a podcast called Blazing Ember: HOME | Blazing Ember  Check it out: Blazing Ember Podcast on Apple Podcasts

To the Cafecito Network and its judges!  Chantall Sanchez of Cardozo’s LALSA writes, “I am writing to express sincere gratitude on behalf of Cardozo LALSA for your help in securing amazing Latina Judges to participate on our Hispanic Heritage Month panel on October 10th. The event was a success, fostering important conversations around identity, career paths, and values. Students enjoyed engaging with the judges before and after the panel.”  Panelists included Judge Valerie Figueredo, Judge Analisa Torres, and Judge Alicea Elloras-Ally!  All CafeChicas!  Thanks to the judges for answering the call of the Cafecito.

Maria Eugenia Ramirez was also named to Latinvex’s Top 100 female lawyers in Latin America. We knew there were more!  Congrats! 

Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz recently started a new job at St. John’s University School of Law. She’s the new Director of the Public Interest Center.  Good luck, Jeanne!

Bibeane Metsch-Garcia is on the move, twice over.  She is now an associate at Ciresi Conlin in ...  Minneapolis, Minnesota!  We have no CafeChicas there, so if you know anyone in Minnesota you can connect Bibeane to please reach out at bibeanemg@gmail.com.  Congrats Bibeane! 

Three Cafechicas: Lissette Duran, Eliberty Lopez and Jessica Ortiz participated in the NHBA Region II’ s Tapas Panel Series on October 24: https://allevents.in/new%20york/tapas-panel-series/10000721414138107  A trifecta!

Leonela (Leo) Vaccaro Padrón was appointed a member of the New York City Bar’s Task Force on Puerto Rico. Her term will begin on October 10, 2023. You can find more information about the Task Force here.  Eso Leo!

Grissel Mercado and Maria Marulanda Larsen were named to Latinvex’s Latin America’s 2023 “Top 100 Female Lawyers.”  Adelante!  (I can’t see the list, might there be others in Cafecito???)  

Claudia Chafloque Siu recently moderated a panel discussion “How Women are Changing the Face of Legal Leadership," during the 5th Annual Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA) Women's Leadership Network Signature Dinner at The Buckhead Club. Well done!

Giselle Sedano has been promoted to partner at Kirkland & Ellis!  Woot, woot!!!

Rashelle Jackson was approved by New York Law School’s SBA to co-found a local chapter called the Womxn of Color Collective. "The Womxn of Color Collective educates, organizes, and supports underrepresented law students and legal professionals to ensure that new generations of advocates are prepared to uplift and expand safe communities for womxn of color, including nonbinary and gender non-conforming people."  Si se puede!

Debra Maldonado will be starting a new position as Executive Deputy Counsel at NYC Department of Education.  Congrats!

Leonela Vaccaro Padrón has written another article – Are Loans Securities? The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Responds in Kirschner v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.  Check it out here.  Nice going!  

Jodie Roure has been selected to serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees at Western New England University!  Represent!

Ramona Ortega, Founder and CEO of Wealthbuild  and very active with the Thrive campaign (THRIVE (thrivecampaign.org)) started by her organization My Money My Future and Black and Brown Founders, was honored with the inaugural Champion Award by Black and Brown Founders’ on October 7.  Felicidades!

Grissel Seijo is on the move – over and up.  Yesterday she started a new position as Head of Labor & Employment at Standard & Poor’s Global.  Respect!

Ivonne Norman continues her exciting work in Environmental Justice!  Ivonne has been invited to be a panelist on the forum “Securing Climate Justice Through Green Amendments: the Held v. Montana victory & what it means for the nationwide movement” organized by Green Amendments For The Generations (GAFTG). The event will take place virtually on October 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm EST.  Register here, and tune in to hear from nationwide experts.  Ivonne is on a mission!  

Evelyn Perez-Albino will be honored as a trailblazer and role model at the HEAF Gala 2023 on October 25.  ¡Felicidades, Evelyn! 

Gabriella Ruiz presented on asset recovery and enforcement tools for cross-border matters at the Asset Recovery Americas conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Whepa!  

Stephanie Robayo authored an article published in the Hispanic National Bar Association AC2023 Noticias Journal: Mitigating the Global Talent Shortage with the Expansion of Startup Visa Programs. In the article, she delves into inclusive immigration programs that elevate start-ups, early business ventures, and entrepreneurs. She discusses the direct impact to the economic growth of a country when it cultivates global talent and industry development with 'start-up visas'.  Article found here.  Nice going! 

Daniela de la Piedra (About Me — Everyday Daniela Professional Coaching Services) will be giving a workshop at the HNBA-D.C.’s Latina Leadership Academy on September 30:  Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia (hbadc.org)  Good luck! 

Mariana Seixas was recognized in Attorney Intel’s Top 50 Attorneys of Miami for 2023 (The Top 50 Attorneys of Miami for 2023 | Attorney Intel). Way to go!

Zulma Miranda launched her independent consultancy, Co.Create Global, four years ago and works at intersection of justice, feminism and philanthropy. Zulma works with global and local leaders and groups to forge lasting relationships and foster mutually flourishing alliances - in an ecosystem that is constantly competing for resources and support. If you are interested in learning more about her work, or exploring synergies for collaboration, please reach out!

Heide Hernandez-Jimenez is on the move, twice over, to DC and working as an Honors Attorney for the NLRB.  DC sisters:  Welcome her to DC!

Jazly Liriano is on the move having accepted an associate position with Cuti Hecker and Wang (and thanks the newsletter where she found the job description).  Whepa!

Diana Santos has been promoted at IBM, she is now Counsel, IBM Consulting, Global Generative AI Lead.  Congrats!!

Adela Hurtado has been profiled in and NYU alum publication.  She addresses her Latina identity, becoming the new NYU Latinx Alumni Network President, and some other fun things. Check it out here.  Congrats mujer!

Gloribelle Perez has been appointed by Governor Hochul and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a Commissioner of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board!  We so proud!!
(And don’t forget she and her husband sell their own Harissa Honey sauce!  Buy here.)

Eliberty Lopez is on the move starting a new position as Senior Counsel, Privacy at Samsung Electronics America.  Congrats mujer! 

Elvia Patricia Gastelo was selected to participate in Latinas in Cyber + Google’s Fall 2023 Cybersecurity Program.  Felicidades, Elvia! 

Evelyn Baltodano-Sheehan, a partner in Kobre and Kim’s Miami office, spoke at two workshops on September 6 as part of the 40th International Symposium on Economic Crime at Cambridge University, UK. She was part of a panel that discussed “NCB Forfeiture: What It Is and How It Is Used?” and a second panel on “Using NCB forfeiture in sanctions cases: issues, defenses and case examples involving Russia, North Korea and Iran.”  Impressive!  

Doralba Lassalle was sworn-in as President of the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association for the 2023-2024 term!  Whepa!

Marta Ricardo has been appointed Assistant Dean for Professionalism at Fordham Law School.  Represent!! 

Ellie Jurado-Nieves wrote a guest blog post on the White House Initiatives shaping artificial intelligence regulation for the FiscalNote Executive Institute.  Listen here.  Whepa!

Adela Hurtado has been elected president of the NYU Latinx Alumni Network! Check out their page here. Congrats!

 Edda Santiago was appointed to the NYC Mayor’s Committee on City Marshals. The Committee establishes qualification criteria for Marshal candidates and identifies and recommends Marshal candidates for appointment and reappointment by the Mayor. The Mayor may appoint as Marshals only those candidates recommended by this committee.  What are Marshals?  Marshals primarily enforce orders from Civil Court cases, including collecting on judgments, towing, seizing utility meters and carrying out evictions. Marshals collectively perform approximately 25,000 evictions per year.  Represent Edda!

Melissa Cabrera was selected as one of Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 honorees “40 and Under 40.”  Whepa!!   

Our girl has done it!  Lourdes Ventura has been elevated to Associate Justice for the Second Department.  She is once again a first.  Read all about it here.  Pa’lante!!

Leonela Vaccaro Padron is on the move!  She is now Counsel in the corporate group at Venable LLP’s office in Miami.  Felicidades!   Read more here.

Maria Fernandez was appointed Deputy Secretary of Education, Office of Governor Hochul.  She is the first Latina in that role. She will be responsible for implementing and advising on the Governor’s strategy for NYS Education.   And she was recently featured by El Nuevo Dia about her appointment.  Wow, wow, wow!  Congratulations!

Erica Gómez was promoted to Court Attorney-Referee for the Law Department at New York County Surrogate's Court. (Another first!  First Hispanic woman on the team!) Way to go!

Lourdes Rivera was the subject of a Jezebel piece about her new role at Pregnancy Justice: Meet the Woman Helping Pregnant People Fight Hellish Legal Battles Post-Roe (jezebel.com)  Nice going!

Brenda Gill, Vice President of the Fordham Law Alumni Association, has been named to the search committee for the next Dean of Fordham Law School!  Represent!

Ivonne Norman will be a keynote panelist at The 3rd Annual Green Amendment Day!  This incredible online event will be held on July 13, 2023 at 4:00 pm EST and will feature national experts on how constitutional environmental protections ("Green Amendments") are transforming the environmental protection landscape nationwide. More information and registration here.  Keep up the good work, Ivonne!

Kudos to Maria Fernandez on her 2022 paper on How to Be an Ally, available on the website of Employment Practices Solutions.

Lourdes Rivera has just been appointed as the new president of Pregnancy Justice and will start after Labor Day!  WOW!

Elisa Tustian, with Peter Kempner and Volunteers of Legal Service, published her second article focused on improving access and service to older New Yorkers with disabilities.  This one is published in the New York State Bar Association Pro Bono News Spring 2023 Edition.  Excelente! 

Camille Campbell was recently inducted into Moot Court and the International Law Journal at Fordham Law. Congratulations! 

Rebecca Goetz was recently inducted into Moot Court, the Dispute Resolution ADR Society, and the Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal at Fordham Law. Felicidades! 

Natalie Gómez-Velez co-moderated the Puerto Rican Bar Association’s “fireside chat” celebrating the historic appointment of the Honorable Joseph A. Zayas -- the first Puerto Rican – as Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Courts.  Natalie says “[i]n Judge Zayas, Chief Justice Rowan D. Wilson made a superb choice for Chief Administrative Judge. In addition to being a brilliant judge committed to excellence and equal justice for all, Judge Zayas is a warm, empathetic, supportive, and authentic person. He is an invaluable asset to New York's court system.”  Nice job!

Elisa Garcia, GC of Macy’s, is retiring in October! Kudos to you mujer – moving on to the next phase.  Check out this article where Elisa explains why she has had a successful career.  Pa’lante!

Brenda Gill is engaged!  Felicidades!  Nuptials to occur in September.  Buena suerte mujer!

Sandra M. Rodriguez-Diaz has been appointed by the NYC mayor, Eric Adams, to serve as chief administrative law judge at the NYC tax appeals tribunal.  You go girl!

Nancy Ahern was installed as Corresponding Secretary of the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association for 2023-2024.  AND she and her husband welcomed their second child, Mateo, on June 6!  Lots to be grateful there!

A film that Adela Hurtado did some animation for premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and won the Latinx in Animation/Latino Film Institute’s Spark Animation Grant!  Way to go, Adela!  

Ashley Qamar was awarded the Joseph R. Crowley Award, an award presented to the graduating Fordham Law J.D. student who has shown academic achievement and concern for others, as demonstrated by participation in volunteer activities. Congrats!

Ivonne Norman continues her exciting career pivot into the environmental law/EJ space. Her recent article Extreme Heat Meets Environmental Injustice: Policy Solutions to Help Disadvantaged Communities Battle the Urban Heat Island Effect was featured in the latest issue of NYSBA’s The New York Environmental Lawyer! This co-authored, forward-looking article provides an analysis of federal and local policies and initiatives that may help mitigate the devastating effects of extreme heat . Ivonne is now also Co-Chair of the Environmental Justice Committee at NYSBA where, besides moving forward the work of the Committee, she has founded the EJ Newsletter - a monthly edition featuring EJ-related events, litigation/legislation, articles of interest and more. This Cafechica is on a mission! Congrats! 

Neysa Alsina was elected to the Board of the NYC Bar Association at its annual meeting in May 2023.   Congrats!

Wanda Sanchez Day started a new position as General Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel at Organización Latino Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island!  Way to go!

Maria Eugenia Ramirez was recently profiled in the Daily Business Review.  The profile piece highlights her career in international arbitration, some of the challenges she has faced as a Hispanic woman in the world of arbitration, and her contributions to the practice of law.  You can find the article here.  If you or anyone you know is looking for a bilingual (English/Spanish) international arbitration attorney (international commercial arbitration or investment arbitration), please do not hesitate to have them reach out to Maria Eugenia at maria.ramirez@hoganlovells.com 

Leonela (Leo) Vaccaro Padrón (our next Miami host!) presented this past May 11th a panel on The Basics of Direct Lending and Unitranche Financing to the American Bar Association. Leo also co-authored an article on the same topic, which you can find here: Current Developments in Unitranche Financing | Practical Law The Journal | Reuters. Congratulations to Leo!  If you or anyone you know is looking for a finance attorney, please do not hesitate to have them reach out to Leo at lvaccaropadron@mofo.com.  

Claudia Chafloque Siu was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Bar Association for the 2023-2024 bar year.  You go girl!

Adela Hurtado, the designer of our Cafecito logo, has been accepted into GOBELINS Paris' Visual Storytelling course.  She will be headed to France to develop her own animated project – the one she’s been working on that's set in Peru!  Toutes nos felicitations! 

Maria Santos Valentin has started a new position as Special Counsel at the Ford Foundation. Congratulations, Maria!

Julieanne Yanez was recently appointed as the executive director of the New American Voters Association.  Pa'lante!  

Elena Otero has moved to McDermott Will & Emery (in Miami) and is excited to work with the Real Estate and Private Client groups.  Good luck!

Maritza Rodriguez co-authored a report from the New Jersey State Bar Association entitled Putting Lawyers First Task Force: An Excerpt of the Report and Recommendations on Improving the Legal Profession for Lawyers.  Impressive Martiza!  Here is the report and this article pulls out some highlights” including that “[m]ore than two-thirds of the attorneys who responded to a recent New Jersey State Bar Association survey reported feeling anxious within the past two weeks.”  And this quote, “A full 68% said they experienced anxiety during that time period, while 56% reported a high prevalence of alcohol misuse. And 10% of the surveyed Garden State lawyers reported having suicidal thoughts.”  Pretty sobering.  Thanks Maritza for bringing this to our attention.

The Honorable Lourdes M. Ventura will be honored at The Association of Law Secretaries to the Justices of the Supreme and Surrogates’ Courts in the City of New York’s Annual Dinner on May 2 as one of the 2023 Recipients of the William Goodstein Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to the Court.  See more about the event below.  Lourdes is racking up the honors this year!  Pa’lante!  

Isabel Abislaiman was interviewed by Microjuris with regard to art provenance issues in the wake of a raid conducted by the FBI, in collaboration with French authorities, to recover artwork located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico that is part of an inheritance dispute.  Oh la la! 

Carolina Kupferman has joined New York Life as associate general counsel working in the insurance department on special strategic and legislative projects. Felicidades, Carolina! 

Check out Nilda Isidro on Episode 3 of Greenberg Traurig’s Big Law Redefined podcast, discussing recent trends in the cosmetics & personal care products industry, and related legal trends. ¡No se lo pierdan! 

Nataly Torosian is on the move.  She just joined CIFC Asset Management as an Assistant VP, Compliance Officer focusing on regulatory compliance for their registered investment advisor.  She is in Miami.  Good luck!

Professor (and Cafechica) Tanya Kateri Hernandez is killing it this year! She has written an article about the Latinx census racial category debate in the Latinx Project at NYU.

In late April, Erika E. Vera Livas is starting a new position as Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General's Office in the Labor Bureau.  Felicidades, Erika!

Professor Tanya K. Hernandez was honored at the Fordham Law School LALSA’a 37th annual Alumni and Students Awards Dinner on March 31. Felicidades, Tanya!

Michelle Abad has joined Rocket Companies as senior counsel to advise them in all things liquidity. Mirala!!

Helena Almeida has done a video with advice for companies and organizations on pay transparency. Thanks for shedding light on this topic.

Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez’s new book, Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom: 8 Pillars to Build Wealth, shares her story of going from a negative six-figure net worth to a positive six-figure net worth and serves as an essential financial handbook for anyone interested in building wealth. It currently has 5 stars on Amazon! 

Congratulations to Cafechica Yaneris Rosa on being selected as a member of the 2023 United States-Spain Young Leaders cohort. The Young Leaders will spend a week in Spain. “These ten young professionals have the unique opportunity to travel to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain for a weeklong immersion program in Spanish culture, including meetings with Spanish government and business leaders, in-depth cultural tours, and conversations with fellow young Spanish leaders.” Ole!

Justice Lourdes Ventura was honored with the Human Justice Judicial Ambassador award from Community Capacity Development. Wow!

Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez was interviewed by Humans of Fuzia. Check out the article here.

Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz recently co-chaired a Practicing Law Institute CLE program on climate resilience. You can find the program, “New Developments in Climate Disaster Response & Resilience,” here.  It’s available at no cost (it requires creating an account to access the program) and will be available on-demand for one year. Attorneys seeking CLE credit for their jurisdictions can see CLE details on the page. You can also access another program she co-chaired in 2021, “Current and Emerging Issues in Disaster Response: Legal Strategies and Practices for Helping Survivors,” which offers a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape after a disaster.  Kudos to Jeanne!

Brenda Gill is being honored by Fordham Law BALSA, as the Founder of the Alumni Attorneys of Color, at their 50th Anniversary Gala on 3-24-23 at 6pm at the Edison Ballroom.  You go girl!

Leidy Gutierrez, Eliberty Lopez, Jessenia Vazcones-Yagual and Marihug Cedeno were all named to HNBA’s Top lawyers under 40.  Cafechicas REPRESENT!  Felicidades a todas!

On behalf of Reed Smith, Julia Lopez received the Pillar of Justice Award from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Across Reed Smith, lawyers donated 92,000 hours to pro bono matters last year including helping homeless mothers get back on their feet, veterans who have been denied retirement benefits, and nonprofits like the Art Council of Princeton fulfill their mission.  They also represented 11 unaccompanied children since 2014.  Congrats to Julia!

Professor Jodie Roure, JD, PhD, through her 501c3, HMARIA, Inc, has partnered with Dentistas Missioneros’ and Universidad Central del Caribe, and Ponce Health Sciences University, ACGME accredited medical schools in Puerto Rico, to provide access to FREE Specialty Health Care for the 10k residents of Vieques, Puerto Rico!  Viequenses are amongst the poorest and most vulnerable US citizens residing in the United States. With only two general doctors on the island they have no access to specialty care.  Dr. Roure coordinated HMARIA’s first collaborative FREE Vieques Specialty Fair in May 2022 where 65 Viequense were seen at a stationary clinic by dozens of specialists in just four hours, due to ferry limitations.  By extending the clinical hours, the second FREE Vieques Specialty Health Fair held on February 4, 2023, was able to see over 160 patients via a stationary clinic and two mobile clinics that went home to home to tend to the elderly and bedridden! Three Viequenses were successfully transferred to the “big island” of Puerto Rico for life saving emergency care. The simultaneous collaborating two-day dental clinic provided FREE dental care to over 100 patients, and patients were transported between both health events to maximize providing care. It was also a great experiential learning experience for the 50+ medical students and 20 doctor volunteers in Puerto Rico to engage professionally. Some had never been to Vieques before and had only heard of the need. Vaya! Eso! It is amazing to see what lawyers with a vision can do when we collaborate with our allies in the medical profession. Amazing work Dr. Roure and thank you for your dedication to the most vulnerable through this life saving cause! (Y gracia’ Natalia Marte for this report!)

Lissette Duran has been named a CUP Fellow!  You can learn more about CUP at https://cupusa.org/who-we-are/cup-ny/ Felicidades, Lissette! 

Laura Rodríguez recently launched a new practice, Frontera Law Firm, with Victor X. Cerda. They handle employment and immigration cases. They’re proud to be a Latinx owned firm and everyone in the practice also speaks Spanish. Please feel free to reach out with any immigration or employment law questions!  You can learn more about the practice at fronteralawfirm.com.  Congrats!!

Valerie Hooker was elevated to Principal at the employment law firm, Jackson Lewis.  You go girl!!

Justice Lourdes Ventura has become the first two more times (she has already been the first several times in the past).  She was recently appointed to the Appellate Term for the 2nd, 11th and 13th Judicial Districts. The first Latina to serve on that bench.  And with Justices Ottley and Mundy, Associate Justice Buggs and Presiding Justice Toussaint, she will be part of what is the first all-women bench in the history of the 2nd, 11th and 13th Judicial Districts Appellate Term.  Now that is something to shout from the rafters.  We are always proud of you Lourdes!! 

Professor Tanya Kateri Hernandez’s new book continues to get a lot of attention.  NBC News’ List of 10 must-read books by U.S. Latinx authors includes our very own Cafechica Tanya Kateri Hernandez’s ‘Racial Innocence.’

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS IN 2022:

Brenda Gill has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer for OneMarketData LLC.  Congrats!!  

Marisol Rubecindo was named one of the Top 12 Highest Ranking Latinas by LATINA Style, Inc. Wepa!! 

Ellie Jurado-Nieves is starting a new position at her company, Guardian Life, as Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, Strategic Public Policy Initiatives. Suerte! 

Carol Robles-Roman was recognized by Governor Kathy Hochul and El Centro for Puerto Rican Heritage Month as one of our “Unsung Heros” along with her hubby (and one of our only male Cafecito hosts ever!), U.S. District Judge Nelson Román. Congratulations! 

Neysa Alsina has been nominated to serve on the New York City Bar’s Board of Directors.  Go get ‘em! 

Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista is moving, she was appointed as Senior Deputy Counsel and Executive Deputy Superintendent for Operations at the New York State Department of Financial Services. Dale!

Professor Tanya Kateri Hernandez’s newest book Racial Innocence: Unmasked Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality was included in the list of Favorite Books of 2022 put together by Smithsonian Institution professionals.  Brava!  

Silda Palerm has been reappointed as Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity in NYC by Mayor Eric Adams.  Represent! 

Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor and Cynthia Isales were elected Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York in Bronx County on November 8, 2022! Congratulations to our new judges!

Angela Fernandez has been named the new Executive Director of the Safe Passage Project. Way to go, Angela!

Rosevelie Marquez Morales, who currently leads the DEI efforts across the Americas at Hogan Lovells, was featured in Hispanic Executive.  Felicidades, Rosevelie!

Grissel Seijo’s story about losing her mom is part of Janna Dutton’s “Conversations Over Coffee Volume I:  Real People, Real Stories, Real Success,” which highlights individuals with interesting stories of resiliency, purpose, courage and hope.  [Interesting that it is called ‘over Cafecito”].  The book will be published soon, order here.  Congrats on publication Grissel!

Tammy Zapata won Best Overall Advocate at the St. Johns Civil Rights Trial Advocacy Competition this past weekend! Her teammate won Best Direct, and the team (representing Fordham Law) advanced to the Semifinals! Great job!!

Lourdes Rivera spoke about the future of abortion rights at Yale Law School:  Lourdes Rivera ’90 on the Future of Reproductive Rights - Yale Law School.  The talk was part of the Oct. 6 Human Rights Workshop, “Beyond Dobbs: Lessons from Abroad for the Fight for Reproductive Rights in the U.S.”  Rivera is Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs at the Center for Reproductive Rights, which uses legal strategies to advance reproductive rights as human rights around the world.  Represent!

Valentina Burger-Jiménez is changing things up, stepping away from the practice of law and starting a new position on the business side as a vice president within the debt capital markets team at DigitalBridge, an investment company fund focused on digital infrastructure (data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small cells, and edge infrastructure). She’s looking to connect/reconnect with others in capital markets—you can reach out to her at: valentina.burger-jimenez@digitalbridge.com Best wishes in your new role Valentina! 

The Honorable Patria Frias-Colón was found qualified by numerous judicial panels, including the New York City Bar Association and the Brooklyn Bar Association following her nomination by the Kings County Democratic Party as a candidate for the New York State Supreme Court.  She will be on the ballot in all of Kings County for this November election.  Congrats Patria!  We so proud of you! 

Dr. Aurora Kim Paradisis is a contributing author in Hispanic Stars Rising Volume III:  The New Face of Power. The compilation of great origin stories of Latina/o/x/ae trailblazers provides inspiration and the feel of being embraced by the force of a united community like a warm blanket. There are many personal lessons to glean here and a great amount of hope that will undoubtedly resonate with you.  To purchase for 50% off retail plus shipping please email her directly by October 30th – Aurora.Paradisis@pivotadr.com.  Congrats!

Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson is highlighted in this article in Al Día News: The Latina lawyer opening doors of diversity in the field, while tackling the intersection between law and health.  Nice job Gelvie!

Isabel Abislaiman published an Opinion piece in El Nuevo Día denouncing inequality in the hurricane disaster in Puerto Rico. When all else fails (the electric grid, FEMA, Jones Act, etc), the SSI safety net is not in place either. The most vulnerable population (poor and disabled or elderly) that meet the criteria for SSI is the most affected by the hurricanes. SSI is a program of last resort, a safety net that PR does not have. In other words, by denying SSI, the U.S. government leaves Puerto Rico bottomless.  She is also representing plaintiffs in a class action suit Rivera-Fuentes v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, 20-cv-1444, pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.  See also June 2022 article and interview here.

Miguelina Camilo was appointed as Counsel to the Speaker of the New York Assembly, Carl Heastie!  Whepa!

NYS Speaker Carl Heastie announced that he intends to nominate Dolly Caraballo to the newly formed NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government! The Commission was established this year to restore public trust in government by ensuring compliance with the State's ethics and lobbying laws and regulations.  Public comments to the nomination can be submitted online here.  Brava Dolly!

Big double shout out to Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez.  As she posted recently, a “dream has come true:” she published a book!  Entitled “Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom: 8 Pillars to Build Wealth,” it is available for preorder here.   And then check her out in action on The Today Show!  WHAAAAT!!!  Congrats mujer!

Another double shout out.  Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz recently joined the Legal Services Corporation’s Talk Justice podcast to discuss the access-to-justice implications of the increasing number of climate emergencies in the U.S. and the role attorneys play.  She was also selected as a New York Community Trust Leadership Fellow this fall.  Wow!

Jessica Manzanillo was recently promoted at her company, she is now Director Corporate Counsel for The Bancorp.  Felicidades!

María Santos Valentín has started a new position as Distinguished Scholar & Senior Fellow at NYU Law’s Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship. In this role, she will be a teaching and supervising attorney for the International Business Transactions Clinic.  Congratulations!

Rosemarin Belliard, an alum, gave the Keynote Address at the John Jay College Convocation Ceremony! Wepa!

Here is a video of an interview (in Spanish) with Julissa Reynoso, US Ambassador to Spain, on Spanish TV earlier this summer. It was on a show called Un Café con Susana. Also, check out her official bio on the Embassy’s website, where she mentions her love of music, including salsa!

Lorena Jiron is on the move.  She has joined Himmelstein McConnell Gribben and Joseph LLP, a small firm representing tenants, tenant associations, commercial tenants, coop shareholders, as well as homeowners during closings.  Brava!

Doralyn De Dios is starting a new position as a Hearing Officer at NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).  Good luck!

Also on the move is Yarelyn Mena.  Yarelyn is starting a new position as Legal Counsel, Litigation & Copyright at Spotify!  Cheers! 

Elvia Gastelo is also moving – on up!  After joining Lidl US LLC in January she has been promoted to Head of Corporate Compliance & Ethics, and Data Protection Officer (Board-Appointed similar to Chief Privacy Officer), reporting directly to the General Counsel and the Board of Directors (and the first Latina in this position).  She advises the business on antitrust, antic-corruption, anti-fraud, and data privacy issues; interacting almost on a daily basis with all business units and Lidl International German headquarters.  She also forms part of the global leadership for the company on all Data Privacy/Protection issues.  Lidl is a global discount retailer, with presence in 32 countries.  In the US, Lidl is presently in 10 states, with approx 170 stores, and over 7000 employees.  Congrats!

Vivian Huelgo will join Esperanza United as Chief Programs Officer on August 31, 2022, after twelve years leading the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence. She will serve as a key member of Esperanza United's executive management, articulating and implementing the strategic vision and leadership of the agency working on direct service, intervention and prevention, and training and technical assistance nationally. For nearly 40 years, Esperanza United has mobilized Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender based violence. If you would like to learn more, please contact Vivian at vhuelgo@gmail.com.  Keep up your amazing work Vivian!

The Honorable Patria Frias-Colón successfully got the endorsement of the Kings County Democratic Party for NYS Supreme Court.  If you live in Brooklyn, you can vote for her on November 8, 2022 in the general election!  And…..

The DBA will be honoring the Honorable Patria Frias Colón later next month.   Felicidades Patria!

Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava was the honoree at this year’s Dominican Parade.  Elizabeth is now Assistant Secretary at HUD.  Here is an article about her.  You go girl!

Save the Date!  October 14 – the Latino Lawyers of Queens will be honoring two Cafechicas!  Neysa Alsina and Desiree Claudio.  Congrats mujeres!

Our very own Tanya Hernandez has yet another book out!  Professor Hernandez has published Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality.  Go to her Author Meets Reader Book Launch on Thursday, September 15, 2022 between 6– 7:30 p.m. with a reception to follow on the outdoor plaza. 

Celina Cabán Gandhi will be receiving the ABA's “On the Rise” Award for the top lawyers under 40.  Among her many accomplishments, Celina is founder of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program and Board Member.  Here is her profile.  Here is the entire list of honorees.  The award will be given out in Chicago on Friday.  Note that Celina learned about the award process from this newsletter; and a reminder that you can’t get an award if you aren’t nominated!  Felicidades Celina!  Well deserved. 

Dariely Rodriguez recently rejoined the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law as a deputy chief counsel, a new leadership role at the organization. Here’s a link to the press release . Congrats Dariely!

Tammy Zapata was selected to be a Crowley Scholar in the 2022-2023 Crowley Program in International Human Rights at the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School!  Congrats Tammy! 

Zoila Del Castillo has been appointed Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Opportunities for the New York State Department of State by Governor Kathy Hochul.  She is excited to help advance and support the work of the Department of State by overseeing a portfolio of individual empowerment programs including, the Office for New Americans, the Division of Consumer Protection, and the Division of Community Services.  Good luck Zoila!

Lara Rios was nominated as a Rising Star in the Women in Business Law Awards. Lara was shortlisted in the “finance category.” This nomination recognizes women who are blazing trails and making a name for themselves and whose stars are shining brightest as future leaders in their jurisdictions.  We already knew that about Lara!

Katherine Morales is on the move starting a new position as Associate Attorney at Littler.  Congrats!

Wanda Sanchez Day was named Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association's Puerto Rico Task Force.  Onward!

Tammy Zapata was a winner of Fordham Law’s 2022  Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Summer Closing Competition this past weekend. She secured her spot on the Fordham Law Brendan Moore Trial Ad Team!  Congrats Tammy!  Go get ‘em.

Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson is moving on up becoming a General Counsel at the Wistar Institute, which is a national cancer center that develops vaccines and oncology treatments.  Way to go Gelvie!! 

Our Chicas have been on TV!  Judge Lourdes Ventura (and her parents), Doralyn De Dios (past DBA president), and Presiding Justice Rolando Acosta, were recently interviewed for a one hour A Simple Vista episode, which aired Sunday, June 5, 2022 on ColorVision in the Dominican Republic.  The episode is available on A Simple Vista RD YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/WWj5_7yMrUg.  The interviews were conducted in Spanish.  And Julissa Reynoso gets a shout out – although she isn’t interviewed.  Here’s a preview of the show.

Tanya Martinez-Gallinucci is starting her new job as Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the NYC Bar next month.  Wepa!!!

Elba Rose Galvan is running for Manhattan Surrogate’s Court Judge! Early voting is from June 18 to June 26, June 28 is Primary Election Day. Please follow her on social media: elbaforsurrogate.com. Good luck!

Elizabeth De Leon Bhargava was sworn in last week as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.  We so proud mujer!  Go get ‘em!

Cynthia Isales and Yadhira González Taylor are both running for Civil Court Judge in the Bronx!  Represent!

Ellie Nieves received the Social Equity and Community and Empowerment Award from the Life Insurance Council of New York for her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the life insurance industry.  Congrats mujer!

In what I think is a first, mother-daughter Cafechicas, Cafechica Aurora Kim Paradisis posts this shout out for her daughter Cafechica Kristin Paradisis!  Kristen has been awarded the honor of leading the New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section (EASL), Law Student Committee as Chair.   She has also been elected as the Director of National Relations for the National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) and she has accepted a Summer Associate position at Reitler, Kailas, & Rosenblatt LLP focused on intellectual property, commercial, and entertainment law litigation.  Congratulations on a stellar 1L year!    

Jennifer Lupo spoke at the 2022 Higginbotham Fellows program of the American Arbitration Association on building a successful ADR practice and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in alternative dispute resolution. She is a 2018 Higginbotham Fellow, a AAA mediator and arbitrator on the national commercial and employment panels and has been a mediator and arbitrator for 17 years. Brava!

Jamell  Isidor, Doralyn De Dios, Sharly Larios, Andrea Rodriguez, Jennifer Henriquez, and Justice Lourdes Ventura were all panelists at the 2022 National Latino Law Students Association Conference.  Represent!

Vianny Pichardo was selected as a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary by Eric Adams, New York City Mayor.  WOW!

Daniela Alvarado is on the move starting a new position as Associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.  Congrats mujer!

Lourdes Olvera-Marshall is also on the move joining Bloomberg LP as Diversity & Inclusion Business Partner for their Data and Product businesses.  Good luck!

Michelle Gonzalez is on the move – taking a position as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau.  Congrats mujer!

Adrienne Valencia Garcia is also on the move joining Cengage Group, one of the largest technology companies in the world serving millions of learners whose mission is to support all learners seeking to improve their lives through education by providing affordable, quality digital products and services.  She will be SVP, Deputy GC of Commercial. In this newly created role, she will report directly to Cengage’s GC and her team will be focusing on supporting the commercial needs of the business, including global initiatives and new product launches.  Brava mujer!

Congratulations to Doralyn De Dios and Lourdes Ventura for being honored as part of the “20 mujeres destacadas” by El Diario! More information here.

Shantal Sparks was promoted to Deputy Chief Counsel at the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City.  That’s a mouthful!  Congrats mujer! 

Dorian Rojas had taken on a new position; she is the Director of the Immigration Project at Volunteers of Legal Services.  Brava!

We have yet another Cafechica striking out on her own!  Nancy Ahern has launched her solo law practice, the Law Office of Nancy Ahern.  She will be handling matrimonial and family law matters throughout New York City.  Felicitaciones Nancy!

Congratulations to Cristina Gonzalez, who has joined the corporate practice group of Akerman’s NY office as a partner.

Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson interviewed three amazing Latinx health care and life sciences attorneys as part of the American Health Law Association and Hispanic National Bar Association podcast. Tune in to learn about their inspiring career journeys and their advice for law students and early career attorneys interested in pursuing careers in health law!  I think Gelvie may have discovered her true calling as a podcaster.

We have another first – one of our members, Valerie Figueredo, will be the first Latina/Hispanic woman to serve as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York. You go mujer, make us proud!!

City & State NY has published its 2022 Law Power 100 List.  And we have six, count ‘em, SIX Cafechicas on the list.  Leading us off is Lourdes Rosado, President and General Counsel at LatinoJustice.  Also on the list are Judge Carmen Velasquez who is not only a judge in Queens County but President of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York – the first Latina to hold the position.  Then Clarissa Rodriguez, Chair of the State Workers' Compensation Board, who spoke at one of our Cafecitos.  Doralyn De Dios, former President of the DBA, and finally Natalia and Karla squeaked in there for their work with all of you!

Christine A. Rodriguez has expanded the services of her boutique employment law practice to offer mediation services in New York and North Carolina!!  She can act as a mediator in employment law disputes, civil litigation and business disputes.  Contact her office for more information, or use this link to request a consultation.

Miguelina Camilo has announced her run for New York Senate District 36.   She was the first member of her family to go to college, and she wants to be the first Dominican woman to represent the Bronx in the New York State Senate!  You go girl!

Zila Acosta-Grimes, Lissette Duran and Diana Santos have all been named to the HNBA’s 40 under 40 list.  Three out of 40, Represent!!  

Kristina Hernandez and two of her friends have launched a podcast!!  The women of Glowing Up Latina explore who they are, how they can better themselves, and how to overcome generational trauma and familial pressure. The show airs every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.  You can find more information on their Instagram @glowinguplatina or here.

Judge Jenny Rivera and Professor Natalie Gomez-Velez participated at the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in a program of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion’s Constance Baker Motley Symposium entitled What do the InsularCases, Voter Suppression Efforts and the Anti-CRT Movement Have in Common?  | The program connected Puerto Rico’s unequal status as exemplified by U.S. v. Vaello-Madero, a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court with current anti-CRT and voter suppression efforts.  Judge Rivera’s impressive and heartfelt presentation was noted in the New York State Bar Journal article linked here.   Professor Gomez-Velez’s related article, What U.S. v. Vaello-Madero and the Insular Cases Can Teach About Anti-Critical Race Theory Campaigns, prepared in connection with the Symposium was published in the NYSBA Journal. Link here: https://nysba.org. Brava mujeres!

Lourdes M. Rosado, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice recently spoke on a panel entitled The Legislative Process In NYS: Women’s Fight For Equal Rights.

Ramona Ortega, was named an impact Leader with POLITICO's Women Rule: The Exchange and spoke at the Exchange’s signature event, “Building a More Equitable and Inclusive Economy” on February 28th in Washington, D.C.  Impressive!!!

Yasmean N. Tamoor was named to the National Association of Women Lawyers ("NAWL") Rising List for 2022.  Now in its second year, the NAWL Rising List is made up of individuals advancing in their careers, helping others advance in their careers, and/or fighting to advance women under the law.  You can find the 2022 NAWL Rising List here. Congrats!

Erica Gómez was invited to speak on a virtual panel for Black History Month for Fordham University. The panel will speak to college students about what it takes to forge a path in your chosen career.  Brava!

Jennifer Lupo was appointed to the national commercial and employment arbitration and mediation roster of neutrals of Alerity ADR. She is a member of the American Arbitration Association and CPR national commercial and employment rosters; a FINRA arbitrator and a member of the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, USDC EDNY and SDNY mediation rosters as well. Well done!

Vilda Vera Mayuga was appointed as NYC’s Commissioner of Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.  "I am thrilled to join the outstanding team at the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection," said incoming DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. "Thank you to Mayor Eric Adams for entrusting me with such an important agency. In New York City, everyone is a consumer, and I am committed to ensuring all have the necessary tools to avoid falling prey to fraud and deceit. Similarly, our workers need our systems to work for their betterment, and we will do that in conjunction with our businesses so we can all be winners in this great city."  Brava mujer!!

Dorian Rojas was installed as the newest President of the DBA.  Good luck with your reign!!

Celina Caban Ghandi and Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava spoke about the Sotomayor Program and other deep thoughts at the 2022 Harvard LEAD Conference.  Nice!!

Veronica Dunlap participated in a panel at Brunel Law School screening Evangeline M. Mitchell’s new award-winning documentary Becoming Black Lawyers: African Americans and the Law School Experience.  Whepa!

 Brenda L. Gill was selected to serve as First Vice President of the Fordham Law Alumni Association Executive Committee.  She is the first person of color to serve as 1st VP of the FLAA Executive Committee.  Make us proud!

We have not one but two Cafechicas starting their own firms!!  Brava ladies!!!

Alessandra Carcaterra Messing has recently joined Messing Law as Managing Partner. Alessandra’s partner (and husband), Aaron Messing, founded Messing Law in 2020 and the family-run firm has successfully grown through referrals from clients and colleagues. Messing Law is a full-service firm focused on serving entrepreneurs and small-to-medium sized businesses in a variety of industries with a particular emphasis on tech, digital assets, ecommerce, data, advertising/marketing, sports/media, food/hospitality, health/wellness, and cannabis. After 10 years at big law litigating complex patent and intellectual property matters, Alessandra has expanded her practice to add IP counseling and commercial dispute resolution to her offerings. In addition, Alessandra advises businesses on cultural sensitivity and awareness, bringing over 15 years of experience advocating for and helping implement improvements to diversity and inclusivity at her academic and professional institutions. Messing Law also counsels clients regarding information privacy/data security, trademark, copyright, & brand protection, and serves as “outside general counsel” for growing companies/entrepreneurs, helping them with legal issues in the ordinary course, such as business formation and structuring, raising money, onboarding employees and contractors, commercial transactions, etc., from inception to exit. In furtherance of its deep commitment to social justice and addressing systemic inequities, Messing Law offers special fee arrangements to BIPOC, TGNCI, and LGBTQIA2S+ led organizations. Messing Law would be honored to be of service to the Cafechicas, and their friends and family.  

Doralyn De Dios is also launching her own firm specializing in Criminal Defense and Immigration Law.  Check out her promo video here. De Dios Law LLC, Website: www.dedios.law

To our newest member Jessica Flores who became The Honorable Judge Flores in the Bronx Criminal Court effective January 1st. Brava!!!

Diana Santos and Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista spoke last week on a panel “UnderstandingKey Contract Concepts and Clauses.” Nice going!

Our very own Honorable Patria Frias-Colón was named new Supervising Judge for Queens Civil Court. Already! Brava!

Yasmean N. Tamoor has made a career move transferring over to be an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Division of the New York City Law Department. Good luck mujer!

Eliberty Lopez is also on the move, recently taking an Associate General Counsel position in Privacy at Meta.  Kudos!

Professor Tanya Hernandez talks about Latino Anti-Black Bias in this video from Fordham Law’s Big Idea series.

Melissa Cabrera was recently promoted to Principal at McKool Smith P.C., effective January 1, 2022.  Read the news here or here.  Brava mujer!

Melissa Colon-Bosolet was recognized by Latino Leaders as one of the “Latino Lawyers to Keep on the Watch.”  Nice going!

Jennifer Henriquez is on the move, taking a position as Counsel at Shenkman Capital Management, Inc.  Good luck mujer!

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS IN 2021:

Can't think of a better shout out to end the year with:

Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon has been confirmed as US Ambassador to Spain!!  Actually, take note of the full title:  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Spain, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Principality of Andorra.  Mic drop!  Ambassador x 2 (or x3 if you remember she is the former Ambassador to Uruguay)!!  Brava!  We so proud of you.

 Lara Rios has been elevated to Equity Partnership at Holland & Knight.  Still not many of those around in the Hispanic/Latina community!  Congrats!

HNBA announced its Poder25 class of 2022.  Among the recipients are Cafechicas Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson as a GC Ready member, Evelyn Perez-Albino as GC Next member and Adrienne Valencia Garcia as a circle member.  Brava mujeres!

Melissa Colon-Bosolet has been added to the New York City Bar’s Nominating Committee’s slate of officers and new members of its Board of Directors.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3oYa6Ex

Two Cafechicas have scored positions with the newly elected New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.  Sandra Abeles is the Executive Deputy Comptroller and Justina K. Rivera had the title “Acting” removed and is now officially the General Counsel.  Congrats to both!  Read more here.

Professor Tanya Hernandez has authored yet another book, we are humbled!!  It is due to be released in August of 2022.  Click here for more.

Zoila Del Castillo will be honored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Award, Government Sector by Prospanica New York as a Prospanica New York Top Latinx Leader of 2021. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 9th.   Click here for more information.  Brava!

Zoila Cassanova was officially declared the winner in her race for Surrogate Judge of Passaic County.  Congratulations Your Honor!

Brenda Gill is on the move.  She joined OneMarketData LLC as its Deputy General Counsel.  Brava!

Margarita Ramos will also be starting a new position as the Global Head of Employee Relations at VMWare. Felicidades!

After 15 years in Law School Career Services and with the last 4 1/2 years as Director of Alumni and International Career Services at Columbia Law School’s Office of Career Services, Julie Anna Alvarez Rivera has left CLS and embarked on a new path in the newly created position of Senior Career Development Manager at the law firm Paul Weiss commencing November 15!   Brava to new paths!

Elena Gonzalez is on the move.  She is leaving NYAG and moving to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as an Agency Attorney in Enforcement.  Good luck Elena!

Jasmine Valle was featured in the last page of a recent issue of Queens Daily Eagle. And in a double shout out Jasmine received an award from the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.   Wepa Jasmine!

Myrna Perez was confirmed to the Second Circuit. Felicidades! Felicidades! Felicidades!

NY Governor Hochul has nominated Maria Imperial as Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights (DHR).  You go mujer!!

Felicidades to Lucy M. Lopez on her new position as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Spencer Stuart, Inc., a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm.

Judge Lourdes Ventura was profiled in the Queens Eagle.  Check it out here, page 16.   “Every case is important to the person that brought about the case, so you have to take even a small claims case as serious as your Supreme Court Case; that’s how I value life, that every-one is important,” she said. “I try to treat people the way I would want to be treated, irrespective of rank or position.” Represent!

Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez is featured in this article entitled, This woman paid off $215k in student loan debt and saved $40k by refinancing her loans.  Maybe she would wanna teach the rest of us?

Guillermina C. Passa is on the move.  She started a new position as Staff Attorney at Texas Advocacy Project, Inc.  Congrats!

Maribel Hernandez is also on the move and started a new position as Equality Division Director & Deputy National Political Director at ACLU!  Brava!!

Edda Santiago is also moving.  Today she starts as VP, Corporate Counsel at Covenant House International, an organization that serves thousands of youth who are experiencing homelessness by offering housing and essential support services.  Good luck!

Andrea Nil Sanchez has published a piece, Biden and Senate Best Not Throw Away Our Shot at Getting More Latinos on the Federal Bench.  AMEN!

Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz started her appointment as Vice-Director for the American Bar Association's Disaster Legal Services Program. The program coordinates free legal services to people impacted by climate-driven disasters across the country.  Well done!

Antoinette Rangel will be joining the US Attorney’s Office for the EDNY this winter. Way to go mujer! 

Lisa Pino has joined the Biden administration!  She is joining the Department of Health and Human Services as Director of Civil Rights. She is thrilled to serve under a Latino leader, Secretary Becerra.  Make us proud!

Justina Rivera was appointed as Acting General Counsel and Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs for NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.  Brava!!

In a double shout out, Justina participated in an ABA YLD panel entitled A Conversation with Afro-Latinx Legal Professionals in the United States.  Nice!

Adrienne Valencia Garcia has been featured in a book by Claudia Romo Edelman, the founder of We Are All Human, a New York based nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing diversity, inclusion and equity.   The book – Hispanic Stars Rising Vol. II -The New Face of Power – is a compilation featuring the stories of 99 Hispanics sharing their journeys of how they turned a challenge into an opportunity.  Congrats Adrienne!

Queenie Paniagua is on the move.  She has joined Sack & Sack LLP as a litigation associate focusing on employment law.  Good luck Queenie!

Lucy Lopez has been profiled by her alma mater.  Fordham writes Lucy “is a successful corporate lawyer. She loves learning and languages, mentoring new talent and helping shape tomorrow’s leaders. But when she arrived in the United States at just 8 years old, she was focused on one thing: fulfilling her mother’s desire that her children have access to the education and opportunities that she didn’t enjoy.”  Whepa!  Read more here.   

Stephanie Robayo, Michelle Munoz-Machen and Dorian Rojas participated in a panel called Latinas in the Legal Profession addressing issues of immigration.  Cafechicas represent!

 In a double shout out, Stephanie Robayo wrote an article for the Hispanic National Bar Association Journal Noticias, which was published at the end of last month!  Entitled Embracing the Global Workspace: Digital Nomad Visas Following the Rise of Remote Work, the article delves deep into the unprecedented and remarkable outcome of the COVID-19 public health crisis, and various quarantine mandates worldwide. There has been a global corporate shift to remote work for highly skilled professionals. Our voice in navigating through the intricacies of this workforce modernization has never been more critical, with opportunities to make a significant impact as counsel in areas of immigration, labor and employment, and compliance. 

A shout out to Myrna Perez and this article about her Our Nation Needs Myrna Pérez on the Federal Bench | “Pérez’s confirmation would likewise add important perspectives to the judiciary. If confirmed, Pérez, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, would be the only Latina serving on the Second Circuit and the first Latina to serve on this court since the elevation of Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court 12 years ago. The region covered by the Second Circuit (New York, Vermont, and Connecticut) is home to more than 4.9 million immigrants and nearly 4.4 million Hispanic or Latino/a people. It’s vital that we have judges who share experiences and characteristics with the people their decisions impact.”  We are behind you Myrna!

Arianna Mouré, an Associate at CSG Law, spoke with Julia Lopez, a Partner at Reed Smith, on her professional journey and her advice for aspiring Hispanic attorneys on finding their way in the legal profession in an upcoming panel.  Listen to this NYCBA event by podcast here.

Elizabeth de León Bhargava, was nominated by President Biden to be Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Wow!  Good luck mujer!!

Sharly Larios has started a new position as Director, Business and Legal Affairs at Sony Music Entertainment.  We so proud of you!

Rosevelie Marquez Morales participated in a panel sponsored by Fordham LALSA on October 11 entitled “The Many Shades of the Latinx Community.”  Nice!

Yvette Valdez has been included in this 2021 Women Worth Watching List.  Brava!

Tomasita Sherer is moving over and up.  She will be joining the global law firm of Dentons in their commercial litigation group, as an equity partner!!  Salud to you, Tomasita!! 

Waleska Suero has started her new role at Boies Schiller.  Buena suerte mujer!!

Diana Santos is on the move.  She has joined IBM as a Senior Attorney in Global Markets.  Good luck Diana!

Also congratulations to Evelyn Perez-Albino on her new position as Associate General Counsel/Employment Law/Global DEI at Facebook.

On September 8th, the HNBA-NY hosted a panel entitled Call to Action: Pro Bono for Unaccompanied Minors, to discuss the urgent need for pro bono assistance to unaccompanied minors in the immigration courts. The panel featured attorneys from the Safe Passage Project discussing the various ways law students and attorneys from various practice areas, experience levels, and jurisdictions, can get involved.  Caféchica Stephanie Robayo, an Associate at Fragomen, moderated the discussion. Please check out the recorded event here.  Stephanie urges attorneys to sign up for pro bono volunteer opportunities with The Safe Passage Project at https://www.safepassageproject.org/

Olga Lucia Fuentes-Skinner has written an article, We Dared to Build a Different Kind of Law Firm, published in the Diversity Journal.  Read it here:  3dQ Issue, page 87. 

Erika Vela is on the move.  She is now an Associate in the Digital Assets and Data Management practice at BakerHostetler. Still in Houston.  Felicidades!

The Dominican Bar Association, whose Prez is Cafechica Doralyn DeDios, is the recipient of the Hispanic National Bar Association Affiliate of the Year Award.  Congrats to the DBA.

Myrna Perez is being given the Latina Lawyer of the Year award by the HNBA!  Congrats Myrna!

Yoly Miranda has taken on the role of Prospect Management Director with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.  They are a national organization with offices in New York, Florida, Virginia, and Texas working with the Latina/x community to amplify Latinx voices and ensure health access and equity for all.  She would love to serve as a point of contact for anyone in the Cafecito network who may have an interest in their work.  You can email her at yolandamiranda@gmail.com.

Neysa Alsina was recently appointed by Governor Hochul as Special Advisor on Pandemic Relief.  Good luck mujer!

Stephanie Cordero has taken on a new role as Director, Immigrants' Rights and Advocacy Project at Brooklyn Legal Services Inc.  You go girl!

Natalie Gómez-Velez published a chapter in the recently released Oxford Handbook of U.S. Education Law.  Natalie’s chapter is entitled, Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Supporting High Quality and Broad Access at a Time of Federal Disengagement and “School Choice.”   Brava!

Jennifer Lupo is back in the classroom teaching undergraduates Legal Foundations of Business at Marist College School of Management.  Congrats!

Cafechica Rosevelie Márquez Morales has been elected as Vice President for Programs (Su Futuro) for the HNBA.  Represent.

Jodie Roure has been selected to receive the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission’s Pipeline to Equity in Legal Education and the Profession Award.  This award recognizes individuals or organizations who have sought to increase the pipeline of students of color to the legal profession and the judiciary and to provide an equitable foundation to students of color entering the legal profession.  How come we are not surprised!  Felicidades Jodie!

Carmen Morales is joining the faculty at Seton Hall University School of Law as an Adjunct Professor in their Introduction to Lawyering program for this academic year. Good luck Carmen!

Jessica Martinez is on the move; moving in-house in a new role as Counsel, Product at Airbnb.  Good luck with this new chapter Jessica!

Congratulations to María Melendez on being awarded Syracuse University’s highest alumni award.  Racking them up Maria!  Read more here. 

Suhey Nevarez was recently appointed as the Chief Privacy Officer for North America at Chubb.  You go girl!

Rocio A. Chavez has joined WilmerHale as their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager.  Rocio is grateful for the advice and guidance she received from many Cafechicas in her transition from legal practice to the diversity and inclusion space.  You go girl!!!

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso, currently First Lady Jill Biden’ chief of staff, is the president’s pick to be ambassador to Spain.  Read more here.  Always proud of you Julissa!

Jessica Ortiz has left private practice to become Deputy Inspector General and Director of Investigations at the Port Authority of NY & NJ.  Good luck on this next endeavor!

Jennifer Henriquez has been promoted to Compliance Manager and Counsel at Ellevest.  Way to go mujer!

Neysa Alsina is featured in NYSBA’s Amicus Curiae podcast.  Check it out here.  Nicely done!

Melissa Colón-Bosolet has been chosen as one of Bloomberg’s They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40.  Congrats mujer!! 

Adrienne Valencia Garcia has a wonderful write up in the Vanguard Law Magazine.  Check it out here (as well as the story about how her daughter is the only reason we know about this write up!  A Cafechica in the making).

Zoila Del Castillo is in the news again!!  She is one of the winners of the 2021 Crain's Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Champions of Change Award!  Felicidades Zoila!

Maria Melendez is interviewed for the Jabot blog, “Inside the World of Biglaw Diversity Efforts.” Check it out here.

The LatinoJustice Líderes Board recently announced its executive committee for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, and Camille Ramos-Klee will serve as Secretary. Zoila Del Castillo, in yet another shout out this month, will serve as the new Co-Chair.  Congrats mujeres!

Double shout out for Zoila Del Castillo.  Zoila has been selected as a finalist for the Crain’s 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Awards: Champions for Change AND The American Bar Association has named Zoila to their On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers list.  Check it out here.  You go mujer!!

Myrna Perez has been recommended by Senator Schumer to President Biden, and reported out of Committee, for nomination to the Second Circuit.  If confirmed she would be the second Hispanic woman to serve on the Second Circuit, following, of course, our beloved Sonia Sotomayor.  We are with you Myrna.  Good luck with the process!!

Olga Fuentes, along with a few colleagues, started her own law firm – Glenn, Agre, Bergman & Fuentes LLP.   The named partners are former Big Law lawyers (Gibson Dunn/Kasowitz Benson/Wachtel/Debevoise), three of the founding partners are women and one of them, guess who, is Latina.  The firm focuses on restructuring, litigation and white collar.  And they will be hiring in the coming months, so keep an eye out for that.  Felicidades Olga!

Mariela Monegro is on the move.  She is now Corporate Counsel at Petal.  Congrats!

Nadia Hernandez has been promoted as Project Director of Staten Island Legal Services and is the first Latina to be a member of LSNYC’s senior management staff.  We are so proud of Nadia for the barriers she is breaking.  Pa'Lante!

Ellie Nieves is giving a workshop Show Up, Speak Up and Step Up: 3 Leadership Strategies for High Achieving Women™.  If it’s Ellie it’s got to be good!

Diana Santos and Adrienne Valencia Garcia will be speaking at a panel about one of the largest cyberattacks. 

Christina Iturralde Thomas will be speaking on a panel US Immigration Policies: The Border and Beyond. 

Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson was interviewed by Bloomberg.  Check out the article entitled The Role of a General Counsel in Driving a Social Justice Agenda.

Brenda Gill started a new position as VP Legal, General Counsel at AppViewX.  Congrats Brenda!

Cafechicas Karla Del Pozo García and Jasmine Valle will be speaking at a HNBA Young Lawyers Division panel called Expanding the Network:  A conversation with young lawyers in New York and Puerto Rico. Good luck mujeres!

Alma Magaña will become the Harold A. Stevens Visiting Professor at Cardozo Law School.  As we know, there are so few Latina/Hispanic law professors in this geographic area.  Go Alma!

Zoila Cassanova is running for Surrogate in Passaic County, NJ on the Democratic ticket.  Passaic County includes cities such as Paterson, Passaic City, Clifton, and Wayne.  Anyone wanting to know more about her campaign can check her out on IG at Cassanova_for_Surrogate or Zoila Cassanova on Facebook.  Good luck Zoila!

Yaneris M. Rosa guest lectured to students in the Pathways to Career Success course at her alma mater, Cornell University.  Way to give back!

Estefani Rodriguez has joined the diversity committee for the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review.  Congrats!

Neysa Alsina recently participated in a panel entitled Personal Branding in the Virtual Landscape.  You go girl! 

Alissa Rodriguez has been promoted to a Captain in the US Air Force Reserves, serving as a JAG (Judge Advocate General Corps).  Congratulations Captain Rodriguez!

Carmen Morales was named Fordham LALSA’s  Latinx of the month.  Whepa!

Nitza Escalera will be recognized by Fordham LALSA for her years of dedicated service to the law school community.  Well deserved Nitza!

Cafechica Dr. Aurora Kim Paradisis will be moderating and Cafechica Diana G. Santos is a panelist on a Health Care Forum. Good luck mujeres.

Ana Bermudez was named to the N.Y.C.-created Racial Justice Commission, set up to address inequality.  Read more here.  Good luck Ana!

Jessica Ortiz spoke at the HNBA’s Corporate Counsel Conference on best practices for internal investigations.  You go girl!

Judge Jenny Rivera was featured on City & State’s Latino Power 100.   We so proud!

Melissa Rodriguez is on the move joining REEF as Corporate Counsel.  Good luck!

Rose Prey wrote an article on how to protect trade secrets and proprietary IP from a cyberattack.  Nice going!

Altagracia Pierre-Outerbridge was included in the Top 100 Magazine’s 40 Under 40.  Wow!

Yasmean Tamoor will be moderating a panel discussion with The Campaign School at Yale.  Buena suerte!

Veronica Escobar has launched her own podcast called Aging Wisely.  There will be podcasts in both Spanish and English dealing with elder law but also with the process of aging.  Check out her trailer and tune in!!  Support our hermana. 

Yaneris M. Rosa spoke at Ms. JD’s Annual Conference on a panel entitled Beyond Belonging giving advice on how to thrive in a legal job when your underrepresented identity makes you feel like an outsider.

Double shout out!  Yaneris also spoke on the panel How to Find New Opportunities in Covid at a Black Excellence Virtual Mixer, which convenes hundreds of professionals in Law, Media and Finance on a unique virtual platform.  Way to go Yaneris!

Lucy Lopez was profiled by the Corporate Counsel Women of Color.  Congrats Lucy! https://ccwomenofcolor.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CCWC-QA_LucyLopez.pdf

Miguelina Camilo is speaking on a panel hosted by DBA and Catholic Charities entitled Family Law 101.  Good luck Miguelina!

Lourdes Olvera-Marshall is speaking on a panel hosted by SABANY entitled Unapologetically, YOU: Learn to Define Your Success. 

Eliberty Lopez is speaking on a panel hosted by the HNBA-NJ entitled Hero:  Her Extraordinary Response to Obstacles.  Represent!

Come July 1, Adriana E. Maestas will become Chief Legal Officer of Lloyds Bank, North America.  What can we say?  Wow!!! 

Maria Rivera is on the move and joined Seward & Kissel’s Business Transactions Group.  Good luck!

Rosevelie Márquez Morales was a speaker on a recent panel called Embracing Change:  Understanding 2020’s Impact on the Future of Entertainment, Sports & Technology.

Lourdes Rivera will be giving the Gallagher keynote lecture for the Annual Meeting of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Jasmin Singh was on CNN with Mexico’s leading journalist Carmen Aristegui explaining the four points of negotiation in the immigration bill introduced to Congress.

Check out this interview of Macy’s GC Elisa Garcia. 

The HNBA announced it Top Lawyers Under 4o Recipients, and guess who is on it? Our own Doralyn De Dios and Karen Leyva-Drivin! Way to represent!

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso will co-chair the Gender Policy Council reporting directly to the President once he approves it.   We are so proud of you!

Hostos Community College is recognizing Justice Lourdes Ventura.  Congrats mujer! 

Justina Rivera has joined Cafechica Neysa Alsina in the Office of the NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer as First Deputy General Counsel.  Bravo!

Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor has launched her campaign for Civil Court Judge of the City of New York in Bronx County.  This year, New York City has 19 Civil Court Judge vacancies to be filled at the next election on June 22, 2021.  Early voting starts on June 12th.  Yadhira is seeking to be elected to one of the seats vacant in The Bronx, her native county, where she still lives.  You can learn more about her campaign on her website.  We wish you luck Yadhira!! 

Brenda L. Gill is on the move joining Protegrity as associated legal counsel in the Stamford, Connecticut office.  Congrats!

Caroline Morales and her beau were featured in an uplifting New York Times article on couples who found love during the pandemic.  “A Voice Leads to Love.”

Daniela Alvarado is on the move, starting a new position at Cole Schotz.  Good luck!

Congrats to Miranda Galindo and LatinoJustice for their recent settlement with Florida requiring 31 of 32 Supervisors of Elections to provide additional assistance for Spanish-speaking voters beyond what they currently require.

We welcome back Dariely Rodriguez to Cafecito just as she becomes Chief of Staff of OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) at the US Department of Labor.  Congrats!

Although this piece is dated, it is still timely, especially during Black History Month. Congrats to Professor Tanya Hernandez on her work. 

We have several members who are part of HNBA’s Poder25 Class of 2021.  Launched in 2018, PODER25 is a multi-year program designed to accelerate the upward career trajectories of top Hispanic in-house talent.  It has a number of levels, which you can read about on their website.  Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson and Lucy Lopez are “GC Ready” members.  Adrienne Valencia Garcia is a “Ready-Level Circle” member.  “GC Next”member include Evelyn Pérez-Albino.  Congrats to all our Cafechicas!! 

Betty Lugo was awarded with the NYSBA Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Award 2020.  Felicidades!

Noelia E. Hurtado is on the move!  She joined Pitta LLP.  Good luck Noelia!

Lourdes Olvera-Marshall has become Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Cleary Gottlieb.  Good luck at your new firm!

 Erica Gomez will be honored at the Justice for All Awards Ceremony by NYSBA during NYSBA's 2021 Annual Meeting for her “extraordinary service to the NYSBA COVID-19 Surrogate's Court Small Estates Pro Bono Program.”   She helped develop the program to make sure that anyone who needed to file such a proceeding for a COVID-related death could get assistance.  Well deserved!

Yasmean Tamoor will be sworn in as a Regional Deputy President for the Hispanic National Bar Association Region II, on January 25.  See below for more information.  You go mujer!

 The following Cafehicas are also being sworn in as part of the HNBA Region II Leadership team:  Zila Reyes Acosta-Grimes, Karla Del Pozo Garcia, Lissette Duran, Jaclyn Quiles-Nohar, Stephanie Robayo, and Jessenia Vazcones-Yagual.  Lead on mujeres!

Doralyn De Dios is being sworn in again as President of the DBA.  The first time in eight years that a president is re-elected to the DBA.  Congrats Doralyn!

The DBA is also swearing in Zoila Del Castillo and Nakary Abreu as secretaries, and Keila Espinosa as a Board member.  Felicidades a todas!

Edda Santiago, Carina Patritti and Zoila Del Castillo have been named in the next class of CUP NY Fellows.  Congrats ladies!

Zoila Del Castillo has a three-for this week!  The NYAG appointed her to serve on the General’s newly created Diversity Committee.  Go to work!

Giselle Vivas will be moving back to NY to join Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as an Associate in their Structured Finance Department.  Welcome back Giselle!

Kim Schoenbacher was promoted to Director of Operations, Foreign Payments Practice and Automatic Exchange of Information at the IRS.  Congrats Kim!

 Lía Fiol-Matta started a new position as Senior Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF.  Way to go mujer!

Ivelisse Clausell is on the move – up and sideways!  She has become the Chief Privacy Officer at Organon & Co., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co. Congrats Ivie!

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS IN 2020:

Adrienne Valencia Garcia was featured on Christmas Day by NYC Fintech Women as their #FintechFemaleFriday.  You can read her interview here.  Way to represent Adrienne!

Ramona Ortega was named one of Crain’s Business’s Notable Women in Financial Advice.  You go girl!!  

Edda Santiago has a new role.  She is the Campaign Manager for John Sanchez, City Council Candidate for District 15 in the Bronx.  Good luck!

Adrienne Valencia Garcia was part of The Female Quotient Workplace Leadership Toolkit Series speaking on Leadership.  Check out the talk here.  Nice going! 

Rosevelie Marquez Morales joined the Bar Association of San Francisco for their 2020 Diversity Conference & Awards to discuss How Organizations & Law Firms Can Dismantle Toxic Cultures and Build Inclusive Environments.  Congrats!

Estefani Rodriguez received a Presidential Appointment to the HNBA’s Latina Commission (after hearing about it in the newsletter!). YAY!

Jessica Martinez has become one of the new commissioners for the HNBA’s Latina Commission.  Buena suerte!

Eliberty Lopez was selected as a 2021 Women in Power Fellows.  Congrats Eliberty!!

Adela Hurtado is having some more successes. Her Peruvian marinera dancer illustrations will be exhibited at The Walt Disney Family Museum as part of their “It’s a Small World” exhibition that opens this Wednesday December 9.There will be a reception with a virtual tour on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WDFMuseum/) and Youtube.

Lisa Pino has joined the Biden-Harris USDA Transition team.  Congrats Lisa!   

Upwork appointed Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri to their Board of Directors.  Nice job!

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón will become the Chief of Staff for the First Lady Jill Biden.  Of Julissa, the First Lady said, “For my Chief of Staff, it was important to find someone with deep experience and an understanding of government. I wanted someone with heart and a passion for public service,” Jill Biden said about Reynoso in a statement to NBC News. “I found all of that and more in Julissa — an accomplished diplomat, legal expert, and strategist. We are living through an unparalleled time of uncertainty, but I know that, with her leadership in my office, we will be able to make a difference for so many Americans.”  We all know that the First Lady is lucky to have grabbed Julissa!  And while we are at it, a shout out to Julissa, for this OpEd that we missed, written by her and Jill Biden.  We are all so proud of you Julissa! 

Judge Carmen Velasquez was one of only eight judges appointed to the US chapter of the “Pan-American Commission of Judges on Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine.”  Represent! 

Carolina Fornos has been made the Practice Leader of her firm’S, Pillsbury Winthrop’s, New York Litigation Section.  A born leader, you go girl!!

Rachel Gonzalez of Day Pitney was selected by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of its 2020 Top Women in Law.  Read her Q&A here.  Felicidades Rachel!

Gelvina Stevenson will be speaking on an upcoming panel addressing how in-house counsel should spread D&I efforts beyond just their legal departments.  Good luck Gelvie!

Dariely Rodriguez, Director of the Economic Justice Project for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law spoke on a panel hosted by the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia regarding racial and gender bias.  Nice job!

Fulvia Vargas-De Leon has joined LatinoJustice as an Associate Counsel. Congrats!

NY1 profiled our very own Maritza Mejia-Ming! Check it out here.

Elsa Marte Hampton was promoted to Chief EEO Officer and Executive Director for the Office of EEO and Diversity Management at NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications.  Congrats Elsa!

Quisquella Addison has moved – to a new job and a new state!  She will join the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.  Good luck Quisquella with both moves!

Maricela González is joining FilmNation Entertainment as Business and Legal Affairs Coordinator.  Felicidades!

Lia Brooks has been made General Counsel of her company Zearn!  Way to go Lia! 

Rosevelie Márquez Morales is joining Hogan Lovells as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion - Americas.  Congrats on your new gig!

Melissa Colón-Bosolet was named a Rising Star by New York Law Journal.  The annual awards celebrate the region’s most promising lawyers 40 and younger.   You go girl!!

Ambassador Julissa Reynoso has been elected a member of The American Law Institute.  Felicidades! 

Monica Villegas started a new position and Senior Corporate Counsel at Progress and has left us for Seattle, Washington!  Good luck with the new job and the new home!
Mary Diaz started a new position at the white collar defense firm Walden Macht & Haran LLP.  Congrats Mary!

Veronica Rodriguez has a three-for today.  First, she was named a Rising Star in Corporate and M&A by The Legal 500.

Next, she was selected by Latinvex as one of the top 100 female lawyers practicing in Latin America.

And if that wasn’t enough, Veronica was appointed as Co-Chair of the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice Initiatives LatAm Sub Committee!  You go girl!!

Maria Calvet was also named to Latinvex’s top 100female lawyers.  I wonder who else is on the list? 

Maria has worked long and hard to launch a “one stop shopping” tool to help navigate the anti-corruption landscape in multiple jurisdictions.  It is called Enforcement Express.  I have included details below.  It sounds pretty amazing.  Way to stick with it and get it done Maria!

Edda Santiago was selected by Prospanica New York as one of their 20 Top LatinX leaders of 2020.  Congrats Edda!

Christina Seda was named TEAK’s “Volunteer of the Year” for 2020. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of TEAK in recognition of her more than 15 year commitment to the organization.  Congrats Christina! 

Maria Marulanda Larsen was promoted to Counsel at Shearman & Sterling!  Felicidades Maria!! 

Camille Ramos-Klee was recently selected as an Ambassador for Arbitrator Intelligence, joining a group of arbitration practitioners and students representing over 40 different jurisdictions around the world that will work with Arbitrator Intelligence to advance diversity, transparency, and accountability in the international arbitration field.  Make us proud!

Ana Bermudez, Department of Probation Commissioner, was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about the Manhattan DA’s Office’s investment to create a trauma focused therapy center in Harlem.  Impressive!

Cardozo Law celebrated Rocio A. Chavez for her leadership!  She is an corporate associate at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, and recently represented a transgender woman in her application for asylum.  Congrats Rocio!

Antoinette Rangel just finished a clerkship on the Second Circuit with the Honorable Joseph F. Bianco is off with another one with the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas on the Southern District of New York.  Congrats Antoinette!

 Yasmean Tamoor was selected to participate in the 2020 HNBA Latina Leadership Academy, AND she has been appointed to join the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the NYC Bar Association.  Nicely done!

Elizabeth de León Bhargava has started a new gig.  She is the North East Coalitions Director for the Biden/Harris campaign.  You go girl! 

Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri was profiled in this Forbes article.  Whepa!

Yaneris Rosa spoke at the HueTech Summit.  Impressive!

Melissa Colon Bosolet presented at a recent Corporate Counsel Women of Color bootcamp.  Nice job!

Ramona Ortega was mentioned in the Asana blog.  Sweet!

Christine A. Rodriguez is relaunching her employment law practice in both New York and North Carolina.  Check it out here.  You go girl!

Adela Hurtado is at it again.  Another article about her appeared in a Fordham news outlet.  And on Friday her artwork will be exhibited at The Walt Disney Family Museum in California at their upcoming exhibition.  Keep it rolling Adela!

Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz has a double shout out – she was appointed as a member of the ABA’s Standing Committee on Disaster Response & Preparedness and they renewed her appointment as a member of the ABA’s Disaster Legal Services Program.  Way to go!

Lorena Jiron and Yarelyn Mena were selected to be part of HNBA's Latina Leadership Academy!  Make us proud mujeres!

Stephanie C. Robayo and Camille Ramos-Klee have joined the LatinoJustice junior board known as the Líderes Young Professional Board.  Congrats mujeres!

Estefania Palomino was invited to speak at the World Business & Executive Coach Summit (WBECS).  WBECS is the largest online event for coaches and managers in the world and each year, thousands of thought leaders join to experience a world class learning experience aimed to support their personal and professional growth. C ongrats Estefania!  See details on attending below.

Lisa Pino has joined state government as the Executive Deputy Commissioner (the #2) at the Department of Health.   Congrats Lisa!

A triple shout out for Adela Hurtado.   Another article that she wrote was published by Latam Dialogue.  

Next, Adela has been accepted into a scholarship program – the Yenching Academy of Peking University for a Masters in China Studies.  She will focus on Law & Society and Animation.  Approximately 100 are chosen. 

And to finish it off the Fordham Law LALSA named Adela as Latinx of the month!  What can we say, we are in awe!!

Doralyn De Dios is being honored by the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association.  Felicidades Doralyn!

Laura Alos has moved to Vanguard as Associate Counsel.  Congrats Laura!

Michelle Abad has joined the “Lideres” board of LatinoJustice.  Nice going Michelle!

Oh, and wait, double shout out, Michelle Abad was selected by Legal 500 as a Rising Star in U.S. Structured Finance.  Felicidades! 

Erika Vera was promoted to Supervising Attorney at The Door!  Congrats Erika!

Neysa Alsina is now the General Counsel and Deputy Comptroller for Legal Affairs for NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer.  WOW girl!  And welcome back to NYC!

Waleska Suero Garcia began clerking in the First Circuit!  Go Waleska!

Estefania Palomino led a conversation about women leadership and the imposter syndrome for the Consulado de Colombia in Boston.  Well done Estefania!

Nadia Chanza is now Chief of Staff at the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.  Congrats Nadia!

Congratulations are in order for Yaneris M. Rosa who started a new position as Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs at WWE.   Can I say, she scored a Smackdown!?

Diana Santos is on the move too.  She is now Assistant General Counsel at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  Congrats mujer!

Melissa Colón-Bosolet  was named a Rising Star by New York Law Journal.  Read all about it here.  Felicidades Melissa!

Congrats to Lida Rodríguez-Taseff and Marisol Rubecindo who are now respectively Vice-Chair and Secretary of the LatinoJustice Board.  Congrats mujeres!

Our own Diana Santos contributed to a white paper written by members of NYIPLA’s Data Privacy, Ownership, and Cybersecurity Committee, “Data Privacy, Copyright Law, and Cybersecurity Issues Related to Distance Learning,” to provide critical guidance to NY state government officials and local school districts on applicable NY State and Federal data privacy and Federal copyright laws that should be considered with the remote learning model. Click HERE to read the full white paper.  Congrats Diana!

Lara Rios at Holland & Knight in Miami was named to the Law360’s Rising Star list!  Felicidades!

Marisol Rubecindo was promoted to Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at J.P. Morgan Chase.  This is a big deal in the banking world!  You go girl!

Angela Fernandez is running for City Council District 10, to represent Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill.  We need more political representation, so good luck Angela!

Rose Cordero Prey was recognized by iam1000 for patent litigation (the only female from New York).  Check it out here.  Her team said, Rose is an “effective team worker who knows how to make her clients look good.”

The IAM Patent 1000 is commonly regarded as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking to identify world-class, private practice patent expertise and leading expert witnesses in the US. As with previous editions, to arrive at the 2020 rankings, IAM undertook an exhaustive qualitative research project to identify outstanding firms and individuals across multiple jurisdictions. When identifying the leading firms, factors such as depth of knowledge, market presence and the level of work on which they are typically instructed were all taken into account, as well as positive peer and client feedback. 

Natasha Bannan published an article about COVID in Truth Out.  Check it out here.

Alexis Ruginis has co-authored a children’s book called Pensamientos.  It is about our emotions – how they are all valid, how to talk about them and how to sit with them.  It is being published through her own publishing company.  That is a double woot! 

Adela Hurtado recently published an article in Traveling and Living in Peru.  Check out this non-legal publication.  J  Congrats to you Adela!

Leonela Vaccara Padron, a Cafechica and past host, has scored a new job as senior legal counsel at Grupo ACS.  As such, she has left us for Miami!  Congrats Leonela! 

Neysa Alsina has joined Cafechica Rosevelie Marquez Morales on the Board of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.   Thumbs up!

Julia Anna Alvarez will be receiving this year's Education Award at the Latina 50 Plus Awards.  To find out more about the mission of the Latina 50 Plus Awards click here.  Felicidades Julia Anna!

The New York City Latino organization, En Foco, invited Adela Hurtado, to be part of a group exhibition with the theme, “Changing Landscapes.”  They’re doing this project to support artists of color during these times, and they thought Adela’s Peruvian project, “The Colors of Trujillo,” fit.  Here is the link to the exhibit. And here is a review in New York Latin Culture Magazine.  

Diana Santos was elected to NYIPLA Board of Directors.  This is a big deal in the Intellectual Property world.  And guess what else?  The only Latina/o on the Board!  Go Diana!!

Rosevelie Márquez Morales was elected to serve on the Fordham Law Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.  Congrats Rosevelie!

Natasha Bannan co-founded the Undocumented Women’s fund to help undocumented women head of households in NYC!  Nice Job!  See Donations section below for more details. 

Estefani Rodriguez and friends reached out to bar associations for donations to purchase meals from local minority-owned businesses to feed frontline workers at nine hospitals in New York and New Jersey. They received $10,000 in donations from twenty organizations of lawyers, law students, and judges in New York and New Jersey. Thanks to the partnering organizations, they were able to feed 1,100 frontline workers!  Kudos to Estefani!  Read more about this effort here.

Sharix Alicea was invited to serve on the Puerto Rico Task Force of the New York City Bar, formed to monitor and comment on Puerto Rico's current fiscal crisis, the enactment of the Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act of 2016 ("PROMESA"), and the creation of the Fiscal Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (the "Board") pursuant to PROMESA.  Sharix gave Cafecito a shout out for making the connection.  Do us proud!

Congratulate Eliberty Lopez, who will be starting as Bloomberg LP’s newest privacy counsel.  Felicidades! 

Yolanda Figueroa has started a new position as Senior Technical Claims Specialist at Argo Group US.  Congrats Yolanda!

Shout out to Natasha Bannan who has written an article entitled “Decolonization Now.”   The article goes over numerous federal policies and laws that can, and should, be adjusted to help Puerto Rico secure the economic, social and political stabilization needed to provide for its citizens.  The article is published with the North American Congress on Latin America as part of a journal series dedicated to progressive foreign policy in the region. 

Congratulate Quisquella Addison for starting a new position at Brooklyn Law School as Manager of Employer Engagement.

Crain’s Notable Women in Talent Resources named our own Lourdes Olvera-Marshall to its list.  Congrats Lourdes!

Wanda Perez-Maldonado was promoted to Chief of the Investigations Division at the Bronx County District Attorney.  Moving on up!

Wandaly Fernandez was selected by the D.C. Bar, one among 24 attorneys, to attend its 2020 John Payton Leadership Academy. The intensive training program, spread over three months, aims to equip participants with the skills and tools they need to thrive and succeed in fast-paced legal and business environments.   Felicidades! 

A big Cafechica affair – Zoila del Castillo, Chair of the HNBA Region II Young Lawyers Division and Estefani Rodriguez on the leadership team have worked to put together a panel where Cafechicas Ellie Nieves and Lourdes Olvera-Marshall will be speaking – Developing Your Brand as a Leader. 

Maria Melendez has become the Chief Diversity Officer worldwide for Sidley Austin.  Felicidades!

Queenie Paniagua is on a roll.  One promotion wasn’t enough and she was promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief of her zone at the Brooklyn DA’s office.  Keep going!

Sandra Roberts also was at the Brooklyn DA’s office to Deputy Bureau Chief, Grand Jury of the Domestic Violence Bureau, the largest Bureau in the office handling over 10,000 cases.  Whepa! 

Congratulations to Daily Guerrero for being chosen as a Class of 2020 Immigrant Justice Fellow!  For more information about this program and a full list of this year’s Fellows, click here.  

Through Cafecito Linda Aristondo connected with Violence Intervention Program and joined their Board.  Congrats Linda!

Jessica Ortiz spoke at the 23rd Annual IBA Transnational Crime Conference in Madrid!

Elizabeth DeLeon-Bhargava has left State government and become a National Director for the Bloomberg campaign.  Good luck!

Queenie Paniagua was promoted to Senior Assistant District Attorney in King’s County.  Felicidades!

Lissette Fernandez was appointed to the bench in the City of Peekskill, NY making her the first Latino/a so appointed.  Felicidades Lissette! 

Our recently elected Queens Supreme Court Judge Lourdes Ventura was profiled on Telemundo.  Check her interview out here!  

Adela Hurtado was invited to screen her animated works at Nickelodeon’s headquarters in New York for an audience of animators and industry professionals.  This was Adela's very first screening in her career and she presented her first animated short, “Circus Toys."

Adela Hurtado was invited by the United Nations to attend the 2020 United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto, Japan as a rapporteur, giving her the opportunity to work with and discuss with International experts and governments pressing criminal justice issues. 

Natacha Carbajal-Evangelista, Veronica Escobar and Diana Santos were speakers at a two-day Bridge the Gap CLE presented at Fordham in January.

One of our newest Cafechicas, Rachel Sherman, just made partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP.  Felicidades Rachel! 

Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz was appointed as a member of the ABA Young Lawyer’s Division Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program for the 2019-20 bar year. In collaboration with legal services organizations and other nonprofits across the country, the DLS program provides free and immediate temporary legal assistance to people affected by natural disasters.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS IN 2019:

Natasha Bannan was promoted to Senior Counsel at Latino Justice.

Natalia Urrea is now Senior Legal Counsel at Coursera in California.

Lara Rios made partner at Holland & Knight. Woot! Felicidades Lara!

The New York County Lawyer’s Association named Carol Robles-Roman one of their Corporate Counsel. Congrats Carol!

Doralyn De Dios is the new President of the Dominican Bar Association.

Ramona Ortega was named to NYC FinTech Women's Inspiring FinTech Females of 2019 list.  The list embodies the mission to strengthen the FinTech ecosystem by empowering and sponsoring women who are transformative.  The women were selected for their leadership and support of the community.  Go get ‘em Ramona!  

Yvette Valdez co-authored an article entitled The Yellow Brick Road for Consumer Tokens:  Path to SEC and CFTC Compliance, an Update.  See it here! 

Lourdes Ventura won her election!  And without any cross endorsements!  She is a Justice of the Supreme Court, 11th District!  Congratulations Justice Ventura!

Helena Almeida joined the Board of PALS.  Nice going Helena.  We all love PALS.

Jeanette Cepeda was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at RiseBoro. RiseBoro is a non-profit organization serving the needs of low income communities. Nice job Jeanette!

Elisa Garcia was named one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas Association by the Latina Professionals For America (ALPFA). Wepa!

Veronica Relea, a partner at Latham & Watkins, was honored by the PRBA with their Attorney of the Year award.  Felicidades Veronica!

Adela Hurtado spoke on a Latinx in the Law panel for Fordham LALSA.

Lara Rios moderated the Women in Energy breakfast at the 11th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum.

Gloribelle Perez opened a restaurant!  Nestled in East Harlem, BARCHA is a family-owned restaurant serving Latin-Mediterranean fare, cocktails & espressos in an intimate & relaxed atmosphere.  Gloribelle says, “Our little family is taking a big risk, but we believe in what we’re bringing to our neighborhood.  At its core, BARCHA is a love letter to Harlem, where we live, raise our twins, and now have launched a family business.”  Stop by and enjoy the BARCHA experience!  www.barcha.nyc  Follow on IG or FB @barchaharlem.

 Margarita Ramos has a new job; joining Microsoft’s Workplace Investigations team and moving to Seattle.  Congrats Margarita!

 Maria Melendez, for the THIRD year in a row, was named by Benchmark as one of the top 250 Female litigators in the country.  Is Maria the only Latina on the list?  

Jessica Ortiz was named a 2019 LCLD Fellow. Launched in 2011, LCLD's landmark Fellows Program works by identifying high-potential attorneys from diverse backgrounds and setting them on the path to leadership of their organizations. Props to Jessica!

Erica Gomez was named one of the New York City Bar's 2019 Jeremy G. Epstein awardees for outstanding pro bono service.

Nitza Milagros Escalera Fordham's Assistant Dean of Student Affairs was selected by the Council on Legal Education and Opportunity as one of the ten winners of the CLEO EDGE award. She is being recognized for her outstanding diversity and inclusion work at Fordham Law. Congrats Nitza!!

Cafechicas who presented at this year’s HNBA convention held here in NYC include:
Grissel Seijo spoke on the panel entitled Grit and Mindset.
Elle Nieves spoke on the panel Executive Presence.
Judge Carmen Velazquez spoke on the panel Pathways to the Judiciary.
Stephanie Robayo, Jahaira Zagarell and Jessenia Vazcones-Yagual all spoke on the panel 2019 #MeToo in the Workplace and Beyond.
The Honorable Jenny Rivera spoke on the panel The Wise Latina Judge.
Gelvina Stephenson spoke on the panel We Need to Chat: Essential Feedback from In-House Counsel.

Tomasita Sherer was a speaker at the Corporate Counsel for Women conference in Chicago.

Rosevelie Márquez Morales was being honored by L.O.V.E

Judge Patria Frias-Colon on this You Tube video interview!

Laura Rodriguez was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Forte Preparatory Academy Charter School.

Zoila del Castillo has made a move over to the New York Attorney General's Office in the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. We wish her every success there!

Jeanne Ortiz, who is a Disaster Response Fellow at Pro Bono Net, was recently a guest speaker on Legal Talk Network’s Lawyer 2 Lawyer Podcast on the topic of Natural Disasters & Dealing with the Aftermath. Congratulations on lending your voice to this important issue, Jeanne!

Anilu Vazquez Ubarri, the Chief Human Resources officer for TPG and her TPG colleague Anna Erwin, were the featured guests in a recent edition of 'The Future of Work Podcast with Jacob Morgan'. When asked to name a book she would recommend, Anilu mentioned The Difference by Scott E. Page.

Brenda Gill and Adrienne Valencia Garcia spoke on a panel entitled "Blockchain, Bitcoin – Why Should We Care and What Should We Know" at the National Bar Association Convention in New York last week.

Ana M. González, an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP became co-chair of S&C’s Network of Black and Latinx Lawyers and, in turn, a member of the firm-wide Diversity Committee, which is comprised of members of S&C’s Management Committee, practice and office heads and the leaders of the firm’s other affinity networks.  Felicidades, Ana!

Natacha Carbajal Evangelista has joined the Workers’ Compensation Board as Deputy Director. She will oversee all aspects of regulatory affairs within the Board, including Paid Family Leave, Disability and Risk Management. Congratulations, Natacha!

Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava has joined the board of directors of The New York Women's Foundation. Felicidades, Elizabeth!

Maria Melendez was elected a member of the American Law Institute. Congratulations, Maria!

Diana Santos has gone in-house and is now Associate Counsel at the NY Genome Center.

Evelyn M. Pérez-Albino started a new role as Director, Employment & Labor at JetBlue Airways.

Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri was profiled in this Alumni Society piece: https://thealumnisociety.com/anilu-vazquez-ubarri-2019/

Mayling C. Blanco joined the white-collar crime, investigations and tax practice group at Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner. Best wishes on your new professional venture, Mayling!!

Wandaly Fernandez was honored with a Future Leader- Minority Lawyers Award at the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: USA 2019. Congratulations, Wandaly!

Damaris Hernandez was featured in the New York Times describing how she spends her Sundays. Thank you, Damaris, for giving us the opportunity to read this sentence in the NYT: "I was raised by my Puerto Rican, rosary-carrying, sorullo-making grandmother in Brooklyn."

Rose Cordero Prey was selected as a 2019 Rising Star by the New York Law Journal.

Julissa Reynoso was named a 2019 New York Law Journal Trailblazer.

Olivia Gonzalez published her first law review article on legal approaches to encryption and cybersecurity: Olivia Gonzalez, Cracks in the Armor: Legal Approaches to Encryption, 2019 J. of L., Tech. & Policy 1 (2019), available at http://illinoisjltp.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Gonzalez.pdf.

Tanya K. Hernandez received the Teacher of the Year Award from Fordham Law School's Student Bar Association on May 20. The award recognized her "excellence inside and outside the classroom and the highest level of dedication to her students". The award was based on the votes of the entire graduating class for “mastery in teaching.” 

Shary Sanchez was honored as one of Westchester County's Business Council's 'Rising Stars 40 under 40'. https://westchesterbuscouncilnyassoc.wliinc28.com/events/Rising-Stars40-Under-40-Awards-1559/details . Shary is Attorney in Charge at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley-Peekskill office.

Lisa Vicens was honored with an ASPIRA Circle of Achievers award. The award recognizes achievers who have made a difference in the Latinx community.

Berta A. Matos has been promoted to Legal Senior Director for PepsiCo Beverages North America. In this role, she is the lead attorney for multiple areas within the PepsiCo Foodservice and Retail sales organizations. 

Adrienne Valencia Garcia is the co-chair for the NYC Chapter of Diversity in Blockchain, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower everyone from all walks of life to engage with blockchain technology to ensure equal participation and distribution.

The Rockefeller Foundation has named Maria Santos Valentin as its new General Counsel.

Melissa Rivero published her first novel, The Affairs of the Falcons, on April 2. An interview of Melissa Rivero about her recently published novel appeared in the New York Times.

Camila Amaral Surcan, Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Pirelli North America, was included in Global 500's GC Powerlist 2019.

Lourdes Rosado has a new gig as Program Director at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). In this new role, she oversees and coordinates the legal, policy, and field organizing departments, NYCLU’s recently-launched Education Policy Center, and NYCLU’s chapters and regional offices, and also serves as a member of NYCLU’s senior leadership team.

Carol Robles-Roman became General Counsel of Hunter College.  Carol is Secretary of the ERA Coalition and part of its Executive Board.

Jennifer Munoz is now Associate General Counsel at 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc.

Nicole Bernier authored an article on the history of Puerto Rico particularly regarding its relationship with the US, published in a legal publication associated with the National Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals.

Melissa Colon-Bosolet was promoted to partner at Sidley Austin. Melissa represents clients in high-risk business disputes in both federal and state courts, arbitrations and international investigations.

Vianny Pichardo Paulino was promoted to Shareholder at Anderson Kill. Vianny's practice areas are insurance recovery, corporate and commercial litigation and environmental law.

Julissa Reynoso was appointed to serve on the 24 member board of trustees of Columbia University.  The trustees "select the President, oversee all faculty and senior administrative appointments, monitor the budget, supervise the endowment, and protect University property."

Linda Maria Wayner joined Lateral Link /Cadence Counsel as their new Senior Director of Diversity Initiatives, where she works with law firms and companies that are committed to promoting inclusion and equity in the legal profession.  She routinely publishes on Above the Law.

Celina Caban was the recipient of the 2019 Ms.JD Woman of Inspiration Award, which goes to "a woman who, regardless of her practice area or type of practice, inspires others by her commitment and passion to her work."  She was selected based on her work as the Founder of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program and current work as the SCS JIP High School Division Vice President.

Lara M. Rios and Yaneris M. Rosa were named to the 2019 HNBA Top Lawyers under 40 list.

Here is a sampling of news about our members in 2018:

-Nancy Ahern started a new position as a matrimonial and family law attorney at the law firm of Parmet & Zhou LLC. 

-Neysa Alsina is Senior Policy Advisor for Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez in Washington DC. Neysa is working on Puerto Rico, health care and women’s issues

-Linda Aristondo was selected as a Fellow in the inaugural cohort of the Encore Public Voices Fellowship, supporting twenty thinkers working at the intersection of aging, longevity and social justice (racial, gender, economic and beyond.) Learn more about this initiative, the partners behind it, and Linda’s profile at https://encore.org/public-voices-fellowship/

-Melissa Colón-Bosolet was elected to the partnership at Sidley Austin on December 12. Melissa’s practice area is commercial litigation and disputes.

-Doralyn De Dios was elected to be President-elect for the Dominican Bar Association for 2019 and President of DBA for 2020. 

-In April 2018, Izel Fortunato was appointed by the Board of Parole to the position of Administrative Law Judge for parole revocation adjudications.  She also tied the knot on February 22, 2018 and she and her husband are expecting their first child in May of 2019! 

-Patria Frias-Colón became the first Dominican-born judge ever elected to the Civil Court in Kings County in November 2017. Her induction was held in 2018 and she is currently assigned to Family Court. Patria is grateful for the support of her family and friends. 

-Yolanda E. Figueroa has started a new position as an Insurance Coverage Litigation Associate at the law firm of Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP in their Manhattan offices.

-Brenda L. Gill joined Sandata Technologies, LLC, as its Deputy General Counsel in October.  In this role, she drafts/negotiates all subcontractor/vendor contracts, provides legal advice to the Payer Sales team on its state RFPs, is Chair of the Compliance Committee, and advises HR, among other activities.  In addition, Brenda has been asked to join the Fordham University Alumni Board, which is Fordham's overarching alumni board for all of its universities. 

-Allison Grein was promoted to Counsel, Legal Affairs, Cable Entertainment at NBCUniversal in September.  

-Tanya Katerí Hernández, the Archibald R. Murray Professor of Law at Fordham University Law School, published the book “Multiracials and Civil Rights: Mixed-Race Stories of Discrimination” (https://multiracialsandcivilrights.wordpress.com/) 

-Adela Hurtado created a photography project, The Colors of Trujillo, about her family’s hometown in Peru. She published a photo book with the same title and the photos and the book were exhibited at Soho Photo Gallery over the summer. The project was featured online on a Peruvian website, here: https://www.livinginperu.com/the-colors-of-trujillo-photography-project-of-the-streets-of-the-city/. Adela also published an academic article, Protecting the Mickey Mouse Ears: Moving Beyond Traditional Campaign-Style Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in China, in the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/iplj/vol28/iss2/5/. She was also selected to attend the 2018 Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit in North Carolina, http://www.dukeunccls.com/about-us.html

-Grissel Mercado became a partner at Shearman & Sterling effective January 1, 2018. Grissel, a capital markets attorney, is the first Latina elected to the partnership at her firm.

-Lourdes Olvera-Marshall became the President of the Mexican Professional Network (“MexPro”) Board of Directors in May. MexPro is a new organization officially linked with the Mexican Consulate that aims to connect and empower Mexican and Mexican-American professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders in the private and public sectors. 

-Bernice Ordónez received the New York City Bar Association’s Thomas E. Dewey Award Medal on December 4. This Medal is awarded to outstanding assistant district attorneys in each of District Attorney’s offices within New York City and the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. 

-Silda Palerm launched Vestry Laight with three colleagues in December 2018.  Vestry Laight is a consulting firm that partners with organizations to assess and address sexual misconduct and advise companies and boards on workplace culture issues. For more information, see https://www.vestrylaight.com.

-Guillermina Passa shared the following ‘Power of Cafecito’ story:  “ Recently, LatinoUSA aired a podcast called "In the Hands of the State" (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-hands-of-the-state/id79681317?i=1000424869782&mt=2) which talks about the foster care system in NYC and it is the result of a collaboration that emerged from one the Cafecitos held this summer, where Antonia Cereijido was the guest speaker.  At the Cafecito we talked about family separation nationwide--as a public defender in Family Court, this is an issue that is very close to my heart.  I approached Antonia and she ended up introducing me to one of the LatinoUSA journalists that was going to work on a foster care story and they ended up doing the whole story on one of our clients (Brooklyn Defender Services). This podcast has shed an incredible amount of light to a very important issue that does not get as much attention as it should, and it has meant the world to me.  As such, I wanted to share this with you since none of it would have happened without that Cafecito where Antonia and I met.” 

-In November, LatinoJustice and Sonji Patrick received awards from CLEO on their 50th Anniversary.   LatinoJustice was one of the Greater Equality honorees; and Sonji was one of their Education honorees. (CLEO's pillars are known as the CLEO EDGE: Education, Diversity and Greater Equality.)

-Evelyn Perez-Albino was selected as a Fellow in the 2018 Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) Fellowship Program, was promoted to Counsel at Advance/Conde Nast and had a beautiful baby boy named Alexander (“AJ”) Albino.

-Antoinette Rangel accepted a federal district court clerkship with the Honorable Joseph Bianco of the E.D.N.Y.

-Melissa Rivero was promoted to Associate General Counsel at Boxed. She also sold her novel, The Affairs of the Falcóns, to Ecco/Harper Collins. Her book will be published in April 2019. For more info, visit: www.melissa-rivero.com.

-Stephanie C. Robayo, an attorney at the Counsel's Office of the New York Department of Labor, has been selected as a 2019 fellow for the New Leaders Council (“NLC”) Institute. The NLC Institute is a leadership and professional development program for young professionals. Anchored by its six-month training program, the NLC Institute equips leaders with the skills to run and manage campaigns, create start-ups and networks of thought leaders. NLC provides community members with opportunities to engage with – and challenge – current policymakers, to create blueprints to tackle current and future policy issues and to support one another along their individual path to a more progressive political and cultural landscape. Visit https://www.newleaderscouncil.org/ to learn more about NLC.

-Alissa Rodríguez was appointed to sit as an Administrative Judge for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, DC.  As a Judge with the EEOC, Alissa hears civil rights cases and makes determinations regarding discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, and other Federal laws and regulations.

-While going through breast cancer, Alexis Ruginis (who encourages us to get checked/ do breast self-exams!) and her sister decided to start Veoleo (https://veoleo.co) because they realized there are very few baby board books written in Spanish in the US market and wanted to celebrate Latin America and the Caribbean. They got to work and in less than 8 months had a hand illustrated book Donde Está el Coquí?, which spreads the love for our heritage and our language by using simple but repetitive sentence structure (to encourage Spanish learning), colorful and textured illustrations depicting native fauna, and with reader assistance in English. 

-Shary Sánchez was promoted to Attorney-in-Charge of the Peekskill Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) office and was appointed to serve on the board of directors for The LOFT LGBT Community Center. Shary will be the first Attorney-in-Charge of LSHV’s Peekskill Office, which serves Northern Westchester and Putnam County.

-Edda Santiago completed an Advanced Professional Certificate in Estate Planning from NYU Law School. In August, she started a new position as an Associate in the Private Client Group in Day Pitney LLP and in October, she got married!

-Carmen Segarra published her book “NONCOMPLIANT: A Lone Whistleblower Exposes the Giants of Wall Street” (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/carmen-segarra/noncompliant/9781568588513/). 

-Wendy Silva left Her Justice after 13 years as a Senior Staff attorney and is now working at the Bronx County Surrogate’s Court as an Associate Court Attorney charged with opening and running their new Help Center.

-Camila Amaral Surcan left Debevoise in June to take a position as Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Pirelli North America, Inc. 

-Adrienne Valencia García, Senior Lead Counsel, Blockchain Solutions at IBM, was promoted to the Executive ranks of the IBM Legal Department effective August 1.

-Lourdes M. Ventura was recently elected as Judge of the Civil Court in Queens County. Her induction ceremony was held on December 18.