Empowerment
Building a Foundation for Future Generations
Brenda Lopez , Maricela Amezola and Marisol Swadener
The ongoing pandemic and social
reckoning on racial inequities in the United States have served as a reminder that institutions must look like the people that they serve . The legal system is fundamental to the United States ’ system of a democratic government and it is vital that future generations have appropriate role models to look up to in order to have hope of entering these spaces as professionals .
San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (“ SDLRLA ”) was founded in 1976 and incorporated in 1979 by a small and visionary group of Latino / a / x lawyers with a mission to empower the Latino / a / x community through education , advocacy and service . Since its inception , SDLRLA has grown to become San Diego ’ s premier and largest Latino / a / x bar association . Its ranks include lawyers in large and small law firms , lawyers in government organizations , local elected officials , law students and non-lawyer supporters from numerous racial and ethnic backgrounds . This panoply of diverse professionals comprises an equally diverse tapestry of heroic experiences .
Today , SDLRLA is still a community of Latino / a / x attorneys and their community partners who are dedicated to justice , equality and the empowerment of the Latino / a / x community and diverse people . It is led by 15 volunteer board members who are all attorneys that give their time , talent and treasure to advance the cause . They are dedicated to promoting diversity on both the bench and the bar .
34 GBSAN . COM | FEBRUARY 2021