FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: lppipress@luskin.ucla.edu
UCLA Hosts “Latina Futures: Transforming the Nation Through Law and Policy” Symposium
A groundbreaking gathering of Latina leaders featuring California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero sets the stage for a transformative year for the community in the United States.
LOS ANGELES (December 7, 2023) – The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, and Latina Futures, 2050 Lab will host the inaugural “Latina Futures: Transforming the Nation Through Law & Policy” symposium on January 21-22, 2024, at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. This one-and-a-half-day event brings together a cadre of prominent Latina scholars, attorneys, policy leaders, and law students from across the country. The symposium, occurring during a pivotal year in U.S. politics, is dedicated to fostering a multi-generational leadership pipeline and addressing today’s legal and advocacy challenges through a Latina lens.
California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, the first Latina in this role, leads a powerful lineup of keynote speakers. Joining her are former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and Former President and General Counsel of MALDEF Vilma Martinez, Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Mary H. Murguía, and her sister UnidosUS President and civil rights activist Janet Murguía, among others, who will share their personal accounts and experiences in the legal profession.
“Our legal system should reflect the incredible diversity of our population,” said California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. “This would not only strengthen our justice system but would also improve the public’s perception of it by ensuring that our courts—at every level—are representative of the communities we serve. And we must start with our youth, to build a pipeline to the legal profession for those who may not think that path is available to them.”
The symposium addresses the critical underrepresentation of Latina lawyers in the legal profession. Despite Latinas being projected to comprise 13% of the U.S. population by 2050, they currently represent only 2.5% of all U.S. lawyers and less than 1% of all partners in U.S. law firms. This event aims to spotlight and address these disparities. Other objectives of the program include:
- Convening Latina Leaders: Detailing their unique experiences in American jurisprudence and sharing insights with future generations.
- Illuminating the Latina Experience: Through Continuing Legal Education panels focusing on issues from reproductive justice to economic equality, the symposium will frame these discussions in the context of the upcoming 2024 election and beyond.
- Cultivating Latina Leadership: Promoting the success of Latinas in democratic institutions ranging from state capitols to academia and the corporate world.
“This symposium charts a new course for the study of Latinas in the United States. It is the culmination of tireless planning and collaboration among our committee members and panelists, each bringing their unique insights and dedication to create an unparalleled platform merging theory with practice,” said Sonja Diaz, Co-Director of Latina Futures, 2050 Lab and Founding Director, UCLA LPPI. “The sessions are designed to be a catalyst for tangible change by centering the Latina experience on the most critical issues of our time, from abortion to misinformation. Our collective efforts signify a commitment to ensuring law and policy better reflect the needs of youthful, diverse, and growing numbers of Latinas together. We are crafting new narratives to combat the invisibility and erasure facing the nation’s diverse Latina cohort that will resonate for generations to come.”
The symposium program includes panel discussions, fireside chats, and interactive sessions to create an environment where aspiring Latina law students and advocates can learn from seasoned professionals, fostering mentorship and networking opportunities critical to career advancement. Attending legal professionals will have the opportunity to receive CLE credit for their participation in the symposium.
Sessions and activities include:
- Keynote by California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.
- Discussions on voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and governance in the pandemic age.
- Panels addressing affirmative action, COVID-19 impact, racial profiling, immigration rights, and more.
- Special events like the reception with the UCLA Chicanx-Latinx Law Review and fireside chats featuring Chief Judge Mary H. Murguía, Janet Murguía, and Ambassador Vilma Martinez.
- Networking opportunities for all attendees, including breakout sessions by advocacy issue areas.
“This symposium transcends the traditional boundaries of a conference; it’s a vibrant and research-informed convening that aims to inspire new pathways for economic, social, and political parity in California and across the United States,” said Dr. Veronica Terriquez, Co-Director of Latina Futures, 2050 Lab and Director of Chicano Studies Research Center. “Our goal is to build a multigenerational network of Latina leaders and scholars who will have a more powerful voice in legal and political debates regarding equity, inclusion, and justice. This is more than an event; it’s a rallying call to develop shared agendas and take action.”
The Chicanx-Latinx Law Review and the Latina Lawyers Bar Association are contributors to the event. Alicia Miñana de Lovelace is a Partner’s Circle sponsor.
For more information, press registration, or to arrange interviews with speakers and organizers, contact lppipress@luskin.ucla.edu.
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About UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI):
The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute is a non-partisan research institute that seeks to inform, engage, and empower Latinos through innovative research and policy analysis. LPPI aims to promote equitable and inclusive policies that address the needs of the Latino community and advance social justice. latino.ucla.edu
About UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC):
Since its founding in 1969, the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center has played a pivotal role in the development of scholarly research on the U.S. Chicano-Latino population. Its research mission is supported by five distinct components: a library with special collections archive, an academic press, collaborative research projects, public and academic programs, and community-based partnerships. chicano.ucla.edu
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