Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic student attorney, Angely Luna Martinez recently traveled with The Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) for an educational spring break. The student organization also was recognized with an Award for their work at the recent 2023 Student Awards Ceremony.
The Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) recently went on an educational trip to Puerto Rico during their spring break. The trip was designed to provide an opportunity for LALSA members to learn about the legislative, executive, and judicial processes of Puerto Rico. It was a unique opportunity for LALSA members to explore the legal system of Puerto Rico and its culture, as well as gain a deeper understanding of legal issues that affect Puerto Rico.
The trip was packed with exciting events, including meetings with government officials, community service work, and visits to legal institutions. The LALSA members had the opportunity to meet with Puerto Rico’s Chief of Staff, who shared her insights on the current state of the government and the challenges that they are facing. Members visited the capitol, attended a legislative hearing, and met with representatives, specifically Representative Denis Marquez. The meeting provided an opportunity for the members to discuss how motions and resolutions are created and its impact on the House of Representatives.
Another exciting part of the trip was the visit to the Court of Appeals, where the LALSA members met Hon. Nery Adames and received a lecture on the judicial system and tribunals of Puerto Rico. This provided valuable insights into the Puerto Rican judicial system and how it functions. Additionally, the members had the opportunity to engage in community service work with Boricua en la Brega, a local non-profit organization that helps those in need. They painted a house for a community member that needed help, which was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
The LALSA members were also invited as special guests by the Puerto Rican Bar Association to attend an event, where they met attorneys, law professors, law students, and an alumnus of the University of Baltimore School of Law- Marshall D. Morgan, who is now a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court of Puerto Rico. This was a great networking opportunity for the members, and they gained valuable insights into the Puerto Rican legal community from experienced legal professionals.
The LALSA members also visited Puerto Rico’s School of Law, where they met with the Director of Career Development, Associate Dean, Clinic Director, and law students. This provided an opportunity to learn about the legal education system in Puerto Rico and the opportunities available for law students in Puerto Rico.
Finally, the LALSA members met with Mentes Puertorriqueñas en Accion for a workshop on an issue relating to Caño Martin Peña. The workshop provided an opportunity to learn about the environmental and social justice issues that Puerto Rico is facing and how professionals are working to address them.
Overall, the LALSA members had a unique and rewarding experience on their trip to Puerto Rico. They gained valuable insights into the Puerto Rican legal system and the challenges that Puerto Rico is facing. They also had the opportunity to engage in community service work and network with legal professionals. The experiences that they gained will be invaluable as they continue their legal education and careers.
As Vice President of the Latin American Law Students Association, I have always been passionate in helping and advocating for Puerto Rico and the Latinx community that is unable to vocalize their issues and concerns. For years, Puerto Rico has suffered from poor leadership, corruption, implications that came with the territorial status, and conformity. However, Puerto Rico is not a place of helpless people. The issues that Puerto Rico faces are in great part, a result of many years of colonization, a reality that Puerto Rico needs people that will respond to these issues proactively– with actual impact and a desire to contribute to the same. My goal(s) and expectation(s) was to bring awareness of Puerto Rico’s issues, make ourselves available in helping the Puerto Rican community, and establishing a relationship between Ubalt Law and Puerto Rico. We hope to make this trip a recurring one in order to support the Puerto Rican community and organizations with legal work such as, memos, proposals, reports, briefings, presentations, communications, and more.
— Angely Luna Martinez
Clinic Connections 