Removing Barriers: Latino Law Student Association Provides Support to Aspiring Latinx Law Students
by Margaret Beccavin | September 27, 2023
The Latino Law Student Association at Toledo Law is aiming to remove emotional and financial burdens for future Latinx law students. Building on their momentum from the last academic year with the launched La Conexion, a mentorship program for undergraduate Latinx students interested in law, LLSA is focused on the future and creating more opportunities for Latinx students to attend law school.
“We are providing the next group of Latinx law students with resources and materials as well,” says LLSA President Gabriella Galvan. “There is an emotional and financial weight placed on many Latino students which greatly impacts whether they see attending law school as a realistic opportunity or not.”
The resources and materials being shared with future Latinx law students come from a catalog of documents being collected by LLSA. From LSAT prep materials and practice tests to outlines and more, the collection is lessening the financial burden felt by many students to purchase their own, or risk taking the LSAT without having been able to afford the resources that prepare them for it.
While providing cost savings through sharing resources relieves some financial burden, LLSA has a goal of also creating a fund where they can sponsor students to take the LSAT as well. “Many Latinx law students are first-generation students, so they are left to navigate the process to get to, and through, law school without family guidance on top of worrying about funding,” says Gabriella.
Building a more accessible future for Latinx students interested in law school is LLSA’s goal, but they have plenty of fun in the process. From co-hosting events like “Around the World” and “Yalla, Fiesta!” with other law student organizations, to “Loteria Lunch”, there are plenty of ways LLSA ensures the Latino and Hispanic culture, food, music, and heritage are shared and celebrated.
Gabriella is a second-generation college student and says her parents are a constant source of inspiration. Her mother grew up working in migrant fields, and her father in factories. They were both second generation Americans whose parents immigrated from Mexico. Her mother earned her master’s degree in social work while her father demonstrated dedication to his family by working up to management positions in manufacturing plants. Knowing what her parents have endured and focused on has instilled a good work ethic and dedication in Gabriella. “I’m a minority in law, but I also have a privilege that many Latinx students don’t have since I had a parent that attended college,” says Gabriella. “I want to use that privilege to help other Latinx students gain this opportunity as well with as few barriers as possible.”
If you are interested in helping LLSA with LSAT prep materials or through sponsorship, please reach out to Gabriella at gabriella.galvan@rockets.utoledo.edu
Learn More about La Conexion
Connect with the Latino Law Student Association
meet the llsa e-board
Gabriella Velasquez Galvan, 3L, President
Where did you go to undergrad?
Oakland University, B.A. in Criminal Justice
Why did you choose Toledo Law?
I chose Toledo Law because I was offered a full ride scholarship and I was eager to
attend law school.
What excites you about LLSA’s future?
What excites me most about LLSA’s future is the fact that there is so much we can
achieve. We have the ability to lay the groundwork for future generations of Latino
law students and I want that legacy to live on for much longer than I do.
Why did you join LLSA?
I joined LLSA because I never joined any affinity organization in undergrad and I
wanted find a community at law school. When I got here, I found that there was a lot
of work that could still be done at this level of higher education. I wanted to ensure
that this organization grew stronger as it was only a year old when I joined, and
I hope it grows stronger moving forward.
Favorite event through LLSA?
My favorite event has been our Loteria Lunch. It was a lot of fun and just a casual
event for our classmates to socialize and win prizes while playing a super easy game.
What are your aspirations for LLSA?
My aspirations for LLSA are that we set up our next board for success and that we
are able to assist our community of Latino students the best we can.
Renee Hopper, 3L, Vice President
Where did you go to undergrad?
Bowling Green State University, B.F.A. in Creative Writing
What excites you about LLSA’s future?
Last year, we were lucky enough to have a really strong group of 3L and 2L leaders
step up to form The Allies. Filling those shoes will be a challenge for the Affinity
orgs, but Gabby is one of the founding members we're fortunate enough to have for
one more year. Because of her leadership, and because she's got amazing ideas and
the dedication to see them through, I think we're going to leave a strong foundation
behind for future LLSA members to build upon. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to see
students passionate about celebrating their culture and making sure their voices are
heard on campus take a strong organization and make it unstoppable.
Why did you join LLSA?
As a member last year, I got to see LLSA host fun meetings at local restaurants that
inspired a lot of meaningful conversations, help plan events like Around the World
and Yalla, Fiesta!, and give pre-exam students slowly losing their sanity the chance
to relax by playing Lotería. It's so easy to get lost in the pressure and stress of
law school and forget that there are people behind the tight smiles flashed in between
classes. Being a part of creating opportunities for students to connect through their
culture and share it with the campus community was impossible to turn down. Also,
when there's a chance to work with an eboard like this one, you take advantage! Gabby,
Belinda, and Santino are truly the best.
Favorite event through LLSA?
Absolutely Lotería, without a doubt. It's so incredibly hard to tempt law students
out of their pre-exam panic-caves. This event not only did that, but it also had students
laughing mere weeks before finals. Hearing students help each other out as they picked
up on the Spanish terms quicker than their peers was truly memorable, and getting
to see a highly motivated and competitive group of individuals try and find the strategy
behind a game of chance was hilarious.
What are your aspirations for LLSA?
I'd love to see increased membership. Of course, I can't control how many Latinx students
apply to or choose to enroll in this school, but when it comes to recruiting current
students, I think that a lot of white students on campus don't realize that organizations
like LLSA can benefit from their Allyship. Latinx culture shouldn't be experienced
in a monolith. It is only through learning about the experiences of our fellow students
that we can support them and amplify their voices to the best of our ability.
Santino Cafarella, 3L, Treasurer
Where did you go to undergrad?
SUNY Buffalo, B.S. in Economics
What excites you about LLSA’s future?
What excites me about the future of LLSA is how far it has come since my first year
of law school. A lot of the younger students have signed up for it and I look forward
to them taking over next year and growing the organization for future toledo law students.
Belinda A. K. Grant, 3L, Secretary
Where are you from?
I am second generation Ghanaian, born and raised on the south side of Chicago
Where did you go to undergrad?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne, B.S. in Psychology
Why did you choose Toledo Law?
I chose Toledo Law because of how inexpensive it was compared to other law schools.
Why did you join LLSA?
I joined LLSA because I studied abroad in Argentina during undergrad and fell in love
with the food, the culture and the people.
Favorite event through LLSA?
My favorite event through LLSA is the Loteria event that was held last school year.
I was able to learn words in Spanish and truly immerse myself in the culture with
friends.
What are your aspirations for LLSA?
My aspiration for LLSA is to build an organization where Latino students, allies and
those alike feel welcomed, supported and seen.