By: Leilani Ana-Maria Pino
On April 3, 2025, Loyola University Chicago School of Law hosted its Rumbo a la Justicia Panel hosted by the Latino Law Students Association. The Spanish word rumbo translates to “course” or “route” in English. The premise of this program was to provide law students with examples of practicing attorneys and judges who have traversed the difficult route of the legal field as first-generation Hispanic or Latinos. This well-attended event exhibited a vast change from my own experience when only a small number of Hispanic or Latino students attended the law school. The progress made by first-generation law students is undeniable.
I was honored to join an esteemed panel that included Matthew Jorge, Partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Barun; Alejandra Barcenas, Partner at Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis; Giovanni Padilla, Associate at Tristan & Cervantes, and the Honorable Hilda Bahena, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The panel was sincerely welcomed and led by Moderator, Dora Cornelio, Associate Attorney at Schmidt Salzman & Moran.
After brief introductions, Dora facilitated a lively discussion on topics covering career advice, unique challenges faced by first-generation attorneys, and the evolving future of the legal field transformed by artificial intelligence and outsourcing. Although each of the panelists have different career paths, they all agreed diligence, networking, and support of bar memberships played an important role in their success.
For Alejandra Barcenas, exposing her success as a Partner of a renowned defense firm played a vital factor in joining the panel. “Especially during these uncertain and divisive times, events and panels like this play a crucial role in fostering a much-needed sense of community among Latinx law students and legal professionals,” remarked Alejandra. “My goal in participating was to uplift and encourage the attending law students to stay the course—and to my surprise and delight, the experience ended up renewing my drive and uplifting me as well.”
The panel’s profound impact on the audience of law students was met with optimism since seeing other similarly situated attorneys can work as a roadmap for possibilities. “The Rumbo a la Justicia panel was an incredible display of the power of the Latinx community. When I first started law school, I often felt like I was entering at a disadvantage because I am first-generation and grew up in an under-resourced working-poor community,” said Laura Padilla, 2L law student. “However, the panel helped me realize that my experiences will make me a stronger attorney.”
The sentiments were also shared by first-year law student Casey Soto: “As a first-generation law student, it made me feel seen, supported, and hopeful for a future grounded in community, representation, and resilience. I know a kind community awaits me.”
The future is certainly prepared for more achievements by Latinx and first-generation attorneys, but that can only be accomplished when there is opportunity. Simply having talent and potential are not enough to support first-generation attorneys if their experiences are not valued with possibilities to practice. In my own rumbo as a first-generation Cuban American attorney, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois has provided significant support and more importantly – opportunity. Through my WBAI membership, I have built a network that is committed to progress and change.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Marian Wright Edleman.
This article was originally published in the WBAI Spring 2025 Newsletter on page 63.