Mondays are usually typical days for most people. Not around Tulane Law School, and not for me. I can always count on updates, projects, and exciting news. The day began with the great news that one of our second-year students, Juan Bernal, was elected Regional Director for the South Atlantic region at this year's
National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) Conference. Mr. Bernal is a current member of La Alianza del Derecho here at Tulane Law School. He will now represent the interests of Latina/o law students from the South Atlantic region at NLLSA. La Alianza, under the leadership of its current president, Ms. Ana Rivera, will be quite busy this academic year. They are slated to help host the upcoming spring Moot Court competition for the
Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) at Tulane Law School, while simultaneously present a proposal to host a future NLLSA conference here at Tulane as well.
Later in the morning I received more wonderful news. Ms. Joy Green, a third-year law student at Tulane, received a financial scholarship from the Louisiana Black Judges Association. Ms. Green accepted the award at a special luncheon held in New Orleans, LA. I'm particularly proud of Ms. Green and her well earned award; positive recognition by judges is always a remarkable accomplishment.
The day culminated with a terrific public lecture by Anita L. Allen, Deputy Dean and Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Dean Allen discussed the topic "Veiled Women in the American Courtroom: Is the Niqab a Barrier to Justice?" Prior to her lecture, Dean Allen also presented a thought provoking lecture to the faculty about privacy rights and tort remedies -or lack thereof- for LGBT plaintiffs.
Overall, the day was full of excitement and thought provoking issues related to diversity and the law. Let's see what next Monday brings.
Carlos Dávila-Caballero
Assistant Dean for Career Development
& Diversity Initiatives