Welcome to3rd Annual Break Into Law Conference

Creating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field starts with ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible to all aspiring legal professionals, with emphasis on BIPOC, first-generation, and marginalized professionals.

The goal of this free, three-day, virtual conference is to be the bridge helping BIPOC, first-generation, and other marginalized aspiring legal professionals access legal education and the workplace, therefore affecting change in the workplace and our communities. We hope our conference will be an inspiration to aspiring law school applicants, current law school students, and young practitioners as they embark on their legal careers.

Agenda

Please note that this agenda is tentative and subject to change leading up to the conference.

Friday, June 21
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Keynote Speaker
Pamela Winn
Founder of RestoreHER

Pamela Winn, known as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women" is an activist of Atlanta, Georgia. The single mother of two is alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities. Winn is national leader in women’s policy that includes ending prison birth, shackling, solitary confinement, and probation reform, advocating the passing of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. Winn has been invited to the White House, United States Commission Civil Rights, and United Nations to speak on “Incarcerated Women’s Issues”. Winn is a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized by Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States.

Friday, June 21
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST
Fireside Chat with Angela Winfield & Sydney Montgomery
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Angela Winfield
Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer for LSAC
Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Equity in Law School
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Vernadette Horne, Esq.
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. John’s Law School
Michael States
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wisconsin Law School
Jermaine Cruz
Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School
Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Conquering the LSAT
Mena Pirone
Founder & Tutor at LSAT Logic Pro (formerly Logic Games Pro)
Fady Yatooma
Founder & LSAT Tutor at LSAT Mastery LLC.
Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Conquering the Bar
DeAndré Aubry
Founder of Legally Fit
Yvette Edwards
California Director at Themis Bar Review
Saturday, June 22
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Law School & Resource Fair
Saturday, June 22
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST
Incoming 2L - 3Ls ONLY: Using Your Strengths to Start a Successful Law School Career · Presented by LSAC

Complete the additional registration for this session here. This session is ONLY for incoming 2Ls and 3Ls.

Legal employers try to hire capable, engaged, self-directed lawyers. They are the ones who engage with work and clients at a high level of self-awareness, empathy, and initiative. While a GPA and class rank serve as convenient measures for competence in analysis, reasoning, and writing, law school doesn’t provide a similar measure for self-directed professional development. The High5 test, which you will take before this session, can help with this gap. The High5 test is an online tool to assess an individual’s go-to strengths in working with others. When you know your cognitive and personal strengths, you can develop them to enhance your effectiveness as a lawyer and as a colleague. This in turn will help you to target lawyer roles, practice areas, and work settings that will give you more satisfaction. You also will be in a position to give more value to an employer – who will then want to hire you. This session will help you to develop your cognitive processing strengths and guide you to communicate them positively to prospective employers.

Carwina Weng
Senior Specialist, Professional Identity Formation at LSAC
Saturday, June 22
4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. EST
Law School as an Underrepresented Student Breakout Sessions
Alexandria Richards
3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Cameron Bernier
3L and Member of GWU’S Lambda Law
Mecca Aikens
2L and Academic Chair of Georgetown's BLSA
Maia Botero
Incoming 3L at University of Miami School of Law
Jupiter Contreras
Incoming 2L at Tulane Law
Saturday, June 22
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Life as a Big Law Attorney
Saturday, June 22
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
All Things Clerking & Government Law
Richard Hill
Clerk of Youngstown Municipal Court
Anais Holland-Rudd
Associate General Counsel and Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) Officer at the New York City Department of Investigation
Sunday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & How to Afford Law School: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Natalie Daniels, AFC®
Regional Director - North Central at AccessLex Institute
Valerie James
Sr. Assistant Dean of Admissions
Sunday, June 23
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Navigating the Legal Job Field & Interviews
Terra Davis
Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens
Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm
Sunday, June 23
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Career & Law Firm Fair
Sunday, June 23
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST
Applicants & Incoming 1Ls ONLY: Harness Your Strengths to Start Law School Successfully · Presented by LSAC

Complete the additional registration for this session here. This session is ONLY for pre-law students and incoming 1Ls.

What traits come to mind when you think “lawyer”? Common ones are “smart,” “argumentative,” “confident,” “social,” “good communicator,” “takes charge/leads.” While many lawyers have these traits, many lawyers don’t and are still (equally/more) successful. The beauty of the legal profession is that it is big enough to need practitioners with many combinations of identities, personalities, experience, expertise, and skills. Success depends in part on using personal traits and strengths wisely and matching them to the right role and workplace. This session will help participants pursue success based on who they are and what they want to do with a law degree. Before the session, participants will take the High5 test, an online strengths assessment, to learn more about their go-to strengths. During the session, participants will explore their go-to strengths and learn how to use them, along with their values and passions, to chart a satisfying professional identity and career.

Carwina Weng
Senior Specialist, Professional Identity Formation at LSAC
Sunday, June 23
3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. EST
Keys to a Successful Law School Application
Cynthia Rivera
Director of Development & Partnerships, Admissions Advisor
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Life as an Intellectural Property (IP) Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Learn About J.D. Career Alternatives
Jacques Anderson
Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design
Somi Omulu
Anthony Denmark
Founder of BecomingJD
Sunday, June 23
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. EST
Faith in the Legal Profession
Soukaina Sourouri
Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.
Kaysia Earley
Sunday, June 23
7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Closing Session
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Friday, June 21
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Keynote Speaker
Pamela Winn
Founder of RestoreHER

Pamela Winn, known as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women" is an activist of Atlanta, Georgia. The single mother of two is alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities. Winn is national leader in women’s policy that includes ending prison birth, shackling, solitary confinement, and probation reform, advocating the passing of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. Winn has been invited to the White House, United States Commission Civil Rights, and United Nations to speak on “Incarcerated Women’s Issues”. Winn is a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized by Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States.

Friday, June 21
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Fireside Chat with Sydney Montgomery
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Equity in Law School
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Vernadette Horne, Esq.
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. John’s Law School
Michael States
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wisconsin Law School
Jermaine Cruz
Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School
Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Conquering the LSAT
Mena Pirone
Founder & Tutor at LSAT Logic Pro (formerly Logic Games Pro)
Saturday, June 22
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Law School & Resource Fair
Saturday, June 22
4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. EST
Law School as an Underrepresented Student Breakout Sessions
Alexandria Richards
3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Cameron Bernier
3L and Member of GWU’S Lambda Law
Mecca Aikens
2L and Academic Chair of Georgetown's BLSA
Maia Botero
Incoming 3L at University of Miami School of Law
Jupiter Contreras
Incoming 2L at Tulane Law
Sunday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & How to Afford Law School: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Sunday, June 23
3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. EST
Keys to a Successful Law School Application
Cynthia Rivera
Director of Development & Partnerships, Admissions Advisor
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Learn About J.D. Career Alternatives
Jacques Anderson
Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design
Somi Omulu
Anthony Denmark
Founder of BecomingJD
Sunday, June 23
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. EST
Faith in the Legal Profession
Soukaina Sourouri
Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.
Kaysia Earley
Sunday, June 23
7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Closing Session
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Saturday, June 22
4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. EST
Law School as an Underrepresented Student Breakout Sessions
Alexandria Richards
3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Cameron Bernier
3L and Member of GWU’S Lambda Law
Mecca Aikens
2L and Academic Chair of Georgetown's BLSA
Maia Botero
Incoming 3L at University of Miami School of Law
Jupiter Contreras
Incoming 2L at Tulane Law
Saturday, June 22
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Life as a Big Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & How to Afford Law School: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Sunday, June 23
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Navigating the Legal Job Field & Interviews
Terra Davis
Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens
Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm
Sunday, June 23
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Career & Law Firm Fair
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Life as an Intellectural Property (IP) Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Learn About J.D. Career Alternatives
Jacques Anderson
Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design
Somi Omulu
Anthony Denmark
Founder of BecomingJD
Sunday, June 23
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. EST
Faith in the Legal Profession
Soukaina Sourouri
Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.
Kaysia Earley
Sunday, June 23
7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Closing Session
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Friday, June 21
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Keynote Speaker
Pamela Winn
Founder of RestoreHER

Pamela Winn, known as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women" is an activist of Atlanta, Georgia. The single mother of two is alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities. Winn is national leader in women’s policy that includes ending prison birth, shackling, solitary confinement, and probation reform, advocating the passing of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. Winn has been invited to the White House, United States Commission Civil Rights, and United Nations to speak on “Incarcerated Women’s Issues”. Winn is a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized by Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States.

Friday, June 21
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Fireside Chat with Sydney Montgomery
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Equity in Law School
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Vernadette Horne, Esq.
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. John’s Law School
Michael States
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wisconsin Law School
Jermaine Cruz
Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School
Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Conquering the Bar
DeAndré Aubry
Founder of Legally Fit
Yvette Edwards
California Director at Themis Bar Review
Saturday, June 22
4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. EST
Law School as an Underrepresented Student Breakout Sessions
Alexandria Richards
3L at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Cameron Bernier
3L and Member of GWU’S Lambda Law
Mecca Aikens
2L and Academic Chair of Georgetown's BLSA
Maia Botero
Incoming 3L at University of Miami School of Law
Jupiter Contreras
Incoming 2L at Tulane Law
Saturday, June 22
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Life as a Big Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & How to Afford Law School: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Sunday, June 23
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Navigating the Legal Job Field & Interviews
Terra Davis
Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens
Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm
Sunday, June 23
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Career & Law Firm Fair
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Life as an Intellectural Property (IP) Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Learn About J.D. Career Alternatives
Jacques Anderson
Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design
Somi Omulu
Anthony Denmark
Founder of BecomingJD
Sunday, June 23
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. EST
Faith in the Legal Profession
Soukaina Sourouri
Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.
Kaysia Earley
Sunday, June 23
7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Closing Session
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Friday, June 21
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Keynote Speaker
Pamela Winn
Founder of RestoreHER

Pamela Winn, known as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women" is an activist of Atlanta, Georgia. The single mother of two is alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities. Winn is national leader in women’s policy that includes ending prison birth, shackling, solitary confinement, and probation reform, advocating the passing of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. Winn has been invited to the White House, United States Commission Civil Rights, and United Nations to speak on “Incarcerated Women’s Issues”. Winn is a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized by Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States.

Friday, June 21
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Fireside Chat with Sydney Montgomery
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & Equity in Law School
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Vernadette Horne, Esq.
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. John’s Law School
Michael States
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wisconsin Law School
Jermaine Cruz
Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School
Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Conquering the Bar
DeAndré Aubry
Founder of Legally Fit
Yvette Edwards
California Director at Themis Bar Review
Saturday, June 22
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
Life as a Big Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Opening Session & How to Afford Law School: Scholarships, Financial Aid, & More
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.
Sunday, June 23
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST
Navigating the Legal Job Field & Interviews
Terra Davis
Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens
Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm
Sunday, June 23
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Career & Law Firm Fair
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Life as an Intellectural Property (IP) Law Attorney
Sunday, June 23
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST
Learn About J.D. Career Alternatives
Jacques Anderson
Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design
Somi Omulu
Anthony Denmark
Founder of BecomingJD
Sunday, June 23
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. EST
Faith in the Legal Profession
Soukaina Sourouri
Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.
Kaysia Earley
Sunday, June 23
7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST
Closing Session
Sydney Montgomery, Esq
Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.

Speakers

We’re excited to bring together a variety of diverse voices to share their experiences and expertise with you! Below are just some of the amazing legal professionals that you’ll be hearing from at our 2024 conference.

Pamela Winn

Founder of RestoreHER

Pamela Winn, known as "The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women" is an activist of Atlanta, Georgia. The single mother of two is alumni of Harvard Kennedy School, Spelman College, Emory, and GA State Universities. Winn is national leader in women’s policy that includes ending prison birth, shackling, solitary confinement, and probation reform, advocating the passing of legislation in 23 states throughout the country. Winn has been invited to the White House, United States Commission Civil Rights, and United Nations to speak on “Incarcerated Women’s Issues”. Winn is a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and recognized by Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact list of top women leaders for social change in the United States.

Kaysia Earley

Owner of Earley Law Firm, PLLC

Kaysia M. Earley is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated Criminal Defense attorney and owner of Earley Law Firm, PLLC. She practices both criminal and civil litigation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at Howard University, Washington, DC in 2004 and her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, FL in 2013. Kaysia has tried over 100 non-jury and jury trials to verdict, ranging from first-degree felonies to misdemeanors, and won dismissals in over 250 criminal cases.

The middle child of seven siblings, Kaysia’s redemption story is so inspiring. She was raised by a single mother and is a first-generation college graduate. She has exceeded the expectations of being raised in an underserved community, coupled with the rigors of a single parent household. During Kaysia’s senior year in college, she was arrested and charged with felony embezzlement as a result of discounting merchandise while working at a shoe store. Years later, Kaysia is a revered and compassionate attorney and credits her time incarcerated as the catalyst for her zealous advocacy.

Community Service: Kaysia is a firm believer of the biblical principle, “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required” (Luke 12:48 KJV). She has represented clients in pro bono criminal and civil cases and is actively involved in her community as a lecturer at her church, local homeless shelters, detention centers, and universities, on topics relating to criminal law, trial practice, and oral presentation skills.

Kaysia is a journalist for her local newspapers and regular guest legal analyst on CourtTV, Law & Crime, CBS, NewsNation, iCrimes, and other legal shows. She resides in Broward County, Florida and is a loving wife to her husband David of 19 years, and the proud mother of four children. Kaysia has been named Women of Tomorrow: Broward County Mentor of the Year, Top 40 Under 40 Attorney, Top 10 Best Attorney in Florida for Customer Service, Layer of Distinction, and Top 10 Best Attorney in Florida for Personal Injury.

Angela Winfield

Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer for LSAC

Angela Winfield is the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for the Law School Admission Council. In this role, she provides leadership, vision, energy, and a unified philosophy to LSAC’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on behalf of member law schools and the students who seek a career in law. Prior to her current position, Winfield was associate vice president for inclusion and workforce diversity at Cornell University, where she led the university’s affirmative action and federal contractor compliance programs, managed the university’s five identity/affinity-based colleague network groups, provided training opportunities for the 7,000+ member staff, oversaw religious accommodations, and served on the university’s ADA coordinator team. Winfield earned her JD from Cornell Law School and is admitted to the New York bar. She earned her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University.

Sydney Montgomery, Esq

Founder & Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, Inc.

Sydney received her B.A. in English and Certificate in French Language and Culture from Princeton University and her J.D. from Harvard Law School. As the first lawyer in her family, She has used her platform since 2012 to help 4,000+ students break down generational barriers and step confidently into their future. She holds a graduate certificate in Independent Educational Consulting through UC Irvine and is in the process of obtaining her Graduate Certificate in Anti-Racism in Urban Education online from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sydney is an MDiv/MACEF Candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is a member of the Ethics Committee, the current Graduate School Committee Chair of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, and a member of the National Association for College Counselors, among others.

Soukaina Sourouri, Esq.

Founder of Sourouri Law Firm, P.C.

Soukaina Sourouri, Esq. is currently a solo practitioner managing her own general practice firm in family law. She is currently serving as the first Arab-American and Muslim President of the Staten Island’s Woman’s Bar Association. She is a member of the 18B Panel in Richmond County Family Court as well as a member of the Part 36 Attorneys for Children Panel. She is the former court attorney for Family Court Judge Janet L. McFarland. She graduated from CUNY Law School in 2020. While attending law school at night, she worked for the Law Office of Rosa Pannitto, P.C. After graduation, she worked for the law firm of Glenn Yost prior to becoming a court attorney. Ms. Sourouri is also a Member of the Richmond County Bar Association, Staten Island Trial Lawyers, and Columbian Lawyers of Brooklyn. Since 2017, she has been a volunteer at CUNY! Citizenship Now, assisting in legal screenings for green card holders applying for citizenship.

Richard Hill

Clerk of Youngstown Municipal Court

Richard Vincent Hill was elected as the first African-American male Clerk of Youngstown Municipal Court in 2023. He has been a Deputy Clerk in the Clerk of Courts office since 2000 and has served as the Criminal/Traffic Division Supervisor. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Youngstown State University in 1999 earning national recognition by being named to the Who's Who among students in American Universities and Colleges. Hill obtained his Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Akron in 2004. Richard Vincent Hill is the first African-American male elected as Clerk of Youngstown Municipal Court. He serves as Trustee Board member of Third Baptist Church, a board member of the Greater Mill Creek Community Center, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc, a member of Robert's Deliberating Club, and a member of Ohio Association of Municipal and County Clerk of Courts

Cynthia Rivera

Director of Development & Partnerships, Admissions Advisor

Cynthia’s belief in the power of education and access to critical information has shaped her deep commitment to mentoring, advising, and motivating students and young professionals to develop their academic and career goals. Her passion results from her own journey through college and law school as a first-generation student. As a law school admissions consultant, Cynthia is dedicated to helping law school applicants discover their strengths and craft a personal narrative that maximizes their potential. She obtained her B.A. in History from Cornell University before earning her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. While attending Cornell, Cynthia was a student recruiter with the undergraduate admissions office. At the University of Virginia, she was a student member of the Admissions Task Force. She later returned to UVA, where she worked as a reader with their law school admissions office reviewing and assessing numerous applications. Before working in admissions, she worked as a financial advisor for a wealth management firm and as an attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Office in Washington, D.C. Raised in Puerto Rico, Cynthia is fluent in both English and Spanish.

DeAndré Aubry

Founder of Legally Fit

DeAndré Aubry, a proud alum of Loyola High School, Howard University, and Southwestern Law School. He is a first-generation law student and the owner and founder of Legally Fit. As student body president in his 3L year, he created a free program called “Study with the President.” This program helped hundreds of students and made it abundantly clear that students were looking for help. From “Study with the President” came Legally Fit, which he has been running for the last 10 years!

Carwina Weng

Senior Specialist, Professional Identity Formation at LSAC

Carwina was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and immigrated to the US in 1968 as part of the "brain drain" that resulted from the abolition of national origin-based immigration quotas. She is a first-generation US college and law student. Carwina practiced in legal services for both the New York Legal Aid Society and Greater Boston Legal Services. Carwina became a clinical professor because she realized that she enjoys helping students to be better lawyers as much as she enjoys representing indigent clients. Now, she work for the Law School Admission Council to develop programming on professional identity formation, inclusive instruction, and pre-law preparedness. To relieve her stress, Carwina loves to bake, be in nature, read cozy mysteries, and travel. Carwina’s High 5 strengths are: coach, empathizer, focus expert, strategist, and catalyst.

Mena Pirone

Founder & Tutor at LSAT Logic Pro (formerly Logic Games Pro)

Mena Pirone graduated from Harvard Law School after scoring in the top 1% on her LSAT. She began her career in Intellectual Property Litigation with LSAT Tutoring as a simple pastime on the side. She soon came to appreciate the more significant impact she could have by helping others achieve their law school dreams and made LSAT Tutoring her full-time endeavor. Since that move some 13 years ago, Mena has developed a unique and targeted approach to the test which has helped hundreds of students gain admission to top schools like Stanford, Colombia, Yale, as well as her alma mater Harvard. She prides herself on her flexible and dynamic personalized approach to tutoring, and her focus on helping first-generation and underserved students (especially those of color) put their best foot forward as they begin their legal careers.

Jacques Anderson

Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design

Jacques Anderson is the Founder & CEO of Lean Into Your Design, a Human Design-centered coaching and consulting business dedicated to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams. By merging the wisdom of Human Design with modern-day practicality and traditional executive coaching modalities, Jacques offers a unique roadmap for self-discovery and alignment, tailor-made for today's professionals. After graduating from Harvard Law School at 24, Jacques’ career began at Skadden in New York City, as a Mergers & Acquisitions associate advising on deals totaling $50B+. Trained by the executive coach for Steve Jobs and one of the global leaders in Human Design, Jacques provides insightful coaching sessions for individuals, business partners, founders, and teams seeking leadership, team-building, and innovative professional development services and experiences.

Natalie Daniels, AFC®

Regional Director - North Central at AccessLex Institute

Natalie has worked as a financial wellness educator for over fifteen years. She has experience in various areas of higher education including graduate and undergraduate financial aid, career development, student success, and wellness programming. Natalie believes the route to financial success includes understanding a student’s background while helping them to develop and reach their financial goals. Prior to joining AccessLex, Natalie managed the Financial Fitness program at DePaul University creating a multitude of personal finance learning materials and games.

Fady Yatooma

Founder & LSAT Tutor at LSAT Mastery LLC.

Fady Yatooma is an incoming 2L at Yale Law School who moved to the U.S. from Iraq in 2013. On his first attempt at the LSAT, he earned a 166 and found that he struggled with the Reading Comprehension section as a non-native English speaker. After a year of learning stronger study techniques, he improved his score by 13 points, earning a 180, and was admitted to Yale Law School. Through LSAT Mastery, he shares his proven study methods to help applicants achieve their maximum potential.

Valerie James, Esq.

Sr. Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid & Diversity Initiatives at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

With 13 years of law school administration experience and 20 years of legal experience, Valerie D. James serves as the Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Diversity Initiatives at the UOP McGeorge School of Law. She previously served as an assistant dean at UC Davis as well as at the law schools at UNT Dallas (founding) and the University of Arkansas Little Rock (UALR). She holds a JD degree with honors from the UALR and an Arkansas attorney’s license (2008). Valerie’s professional career has focused on building and leading diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible higher education programs.

Terra Davis

Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens

Terra Davis is the Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens, where she is responsible for leading and integrating the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion, and professional development efforts, focusing on the recruitment, retention, and progression of its attorneys. Outside of Knobbe, she served as the 2020-2022 co-chair of the Legal Marketing Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Shared Interest Group. In 2024, she was elevated to the Legal Marketing Association International Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, the only organization in the legal industry dedicated to diversity practitioners. In 2024, Terra was selected to serve the California State Bar’s 10-member Council on Access and Fairness. She is a proud graduate of Howard University and received her DEI certification from Cornell University. Terra is passionate about DEI, serving marginalized communities, and pushing the needle forward for change.

Jermaine Cruz

Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School

Jermaine Cruz serves as Assistant Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at Albany Law School in New York State’s capitol city of Albany. He is a seasoned law school administrator and educator with over 20 years of legal education experience including, legal clinic and targeted program administration, JD admissions, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and strategy development. Dean Cruz is also an independent DEI consultant, facilitator and strategist with clients including Bennington College and the New York State Assembly.

A diverse set of experiences in legal practice, policy development, and communications inform his comprehensive and holistic approach to ensuring an accessible, equitable, fair, and positive law school experience for all law students rooted in clear and effective administrative and academic policy and procedure. Mr. Cruz has presented nationally on law school recruitment and retention strategy, diversity in the legal academy and general diversity issues and best practices.

Immediately prior to his appointment at Albany Law School, Dean Cruz served as Director of Admissions at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He has worked in JD admissions at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (his alma mater) and managed the administration and recruitment efforts of the clinical legal education program at Georgetown Law. He has worked in private practice at Hannon Law Group, LLP, in Washington, DC, where he focused primarily on complex commercial litigation and employment law.

Michael States

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wisconsin Law School

Michael J. States joined the University of Wisconsin Law School in December 2021 as the Inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He also manages the Office of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and the Office of the Assistant Dean for the Academic Enhancement Program at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Prior to coming to UW Law, he was the Assistant Dean for Admissions, Financial Aid, and Diversity Initiatives at The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas and his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, where he was president of the Black Law Students Association and a member of the Council of Presidents. Dean States began his law school administration career as the Associate Director of Admissions at the UIC Law School (then the John Marshall Law School). He has been the Director of Admissions at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law (then the Hamline University Law School), and the Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Stuart Graduate School of Business. From 2004 to 2015, he was the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Dean States is a member of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Schools and Candidates committee, a consultant for the Council for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO), Achieving Success in the Application Process program, and a member of the Executive Committee for both the Association of American Law School's section on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Legal Professions Chapter. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of Christian Brothers High School in St. Louis, Missouri.

Vernadette Horne

Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at St. John’s Law School

Vernadette Horne, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, joined St. John’s Law School in June 2021 after serving as Senior Director of Career Services and Diversity Initiatives at Hofstra Law School for 15 years. Ms. Horne currently serves as a member of the Diversity Committee for the New York State Bar Association and as the Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee for the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial & Federal Litigation Section.

Yvette Edwards

California Director at Themis Bar Review

Yvette Byes Edwards has been working in the post legal education field with law students in the Bay Area as they prepare for the bar exam, and with Academic Support teams at law schools, for 22 years. She has valued experience as an educator in the E-learning industry, and has been an Adjunct Professor for Early Bar Prep Multistate Subjects, as well as Professional Legal Writing. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law and enjoys seeing students thrive during law school as they take those final steps towards the ultimate goal of passing the bar exam, reaching one of the most rewarding achievements in their legal career.

Anthony Denmark

Founder of BecomingJD

Anthony is a lawyer, highly-rated motivational speaker, and a strategic law school admissions advisor with over 8 years of experience. Through his work with individuals, groups, and organizations, he empowers diverse voices in the legal profession and helps individuals overcome; adversity to reclaim their dreams. Anthony is also the founder of BecomingJD and the host of "Making the Case For Your Lawyer Dreams.”

Anais Holland-Rudd

Associate General Counsel and Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) Officer at the New York City Department of Investigation

Anais Holland-Rudd brings a wealth of legal expertise and a commitment to public service in her role as Associate General Counsel and Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) Officer at the New York City Department of Investigation. She began her career as a prosecutor at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained extensive experience handling a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Throughout her tenure, Anais demonstrated her expertise through successful litigation in hearings, grand jury presentations, and jury trials, all while managing various responsibilities such as witness preparation, investigations, and plea negotiations.

Transitioning into private practice after three years, Anais continued to excel, focusing on civil litigation matters. As an Associate at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP and Aaronson Rappaport Feinstein & Deutsch LLP, she specialized in financial services litigation and defending automobile manufacturers in asbestos matters. With a meticulous approach to pretrial management and a commitment to crafting proactive defense strategies, Anais navigated complex legal challenges with diligence and professionalism. During her time in civil practice, Anais occasionally assisted in criminal defense matters.

Anais's academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in political science from CUNY Baruch College and a law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to public service, dedicating her time to mentorship through Baruch’s Max Berger Pre-Law Program. Anais is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

In her current role, Anais demonstrates strong leadership as she manages public requests under FOIL and oversees inquiries regarding law enforcement disciplinary history. She also is involved where needed to assist in investigations and with any legal issue that arises at the agency.

Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm

Jazmín is a movement lawyer and community organizer dedicated to dismantling systems of oppression by working with BIPOC to demand and achieve a life of dignity. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The UndocuLawyer Firm, Jazmín collaborates with community organizations and organizing groups to ensure that minorities communities live a life with dignity. Since embarking on her journey in law, Jazmín has sought to combine her legal knowledge and skills with community organizing principles for systems change work, which she has done in her previous professional roles with the New Mexico Dream Team, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, Bold Futures NM and the City of Albuquerque, as well as her volunteer roles as a board member of Emerge New Mexico, the University of New Mexico’s (UNM’s) Master of Public Policy Program, and Encuentro. In recent years, she has been named an Albuquerque Business First’s Top 40-Under-40 Honoree, received Enlace Comunitario’s Brindis a la Mujer Award in the Category of Policy and Law, the New Mexico Women’s Bar Association Rising Star Award, and had the honor of being a Co-Master of Ceremony for Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2019 Inauguration. Jazmin is a graduate of the UNM Anderson School of Management and the UNM School of Law.

Somi Omulu

Somi is an attorney and investor who works to provide minority and women-led emerging companies with access to capital and world-class legal advice on their entrepreneurial journey. At the same time, she’s pursuing her own entrepreneurial dreams after a relatively recent transition from working as a corporate attorney (in M&A, finance and intellectual property) at a New York big law firm as she explores this new journey of being a multi-hyphenate.

Somi is a Chicago-native and a proud alum of Tema International School in Ghana, where she was basketball team captain and entertainment prefect, Princeton University, where she studied Economics, French and African-American studies, and Harvard Law School, where she was president of the African Law Association and a senior editor on the Harvard Law and Business Journal. She also spent a semester studying at Sciences Po in Paris.

After college, she worked as an investment analyst for JP Morgan in Chicago, curating investment portfolios for the bank’s high net-worth clients and after law school, she spent 5 years at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York advising world-class Fortune 500 companies on all aspects of corporate transactional law.

Somi currently splits her time between New York and Accra, where her fur baby, the sweetest Rhodesian Ridgeback named Johnny Bravo, lives with Somi’s mom. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new countries (especially through their cuisine!), cooking, spending time with her friends, family and her four beautiful godchildren and working out.

Breakout Session Leaders

Alexandria Richards

Founder & LSAT Tutor at LSAT Mastery LLC.

Alexandria L. Richards is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for advocacy and a commitment to excellence. Although family law is what initially drew her to law school, Alexandria developed a strong interest in labor law practice, inspired by her own experience as a micro-influencer and content creator. In her final year at Drexel, Alexandria served as Editor-In-Chief of Drexel Law Review, Volume XVI. As the first Black person to serve in this capacity at Drexel, Alexandria understands the importance of representation and mentorship within minority communities. Through this role, she developed a deep appreciation for diverse legal scholarship, recognizing its profound impact on creators and consumers. As Alexandria prepares to sit for the July bar exam, she stands poised to make significant contributions to the legal profession. Her unwavering dedication to professional growth, coupled with her fervent advocacy for social justice and community engagement, positions her as a dynamic and influential leader in the legal field. At the Break Into Law conference, Alexandria hopes to inspire and empower attendees with her unique perspective, commitment to excellence, and passion for empowering diverse individuals to create space for themselves in the legal world.

Cameron Bernier

3L and Member of GWU’S Lambda Law

Cameron is a rising 3L at The George Washington University Law School. He currently works as a Summer Associate at Jones Day's NYC office. At GW Law, Cameron is an Associate on The George Washington Law Review. In addition, he is a Board Member of the Alternative Dispute Resolutions Board and a member of GW's Lambda Law, an organization for LGBTQ+ law students. Cameron has also worked as a Judicial Extern in the Chambers of the Honorable Rudolph Contreras of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and as a Legal Intern for the Knot Worldwide. Cameron graduated from The George Washington University, summa cum laude, with a double major in Political Science and History in May 2022.

Maia Botero

Incoming 3L at University of Miami School of Law

Maia Botero is a first-generation Colombian law student. She worked as a Case Manager and Legal Assistant before starting law school. Maia always had dreams of attending the University of Miami School of law and after working extremely hard during her first year of law school she finally made that dream a reality when she transferred from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law to Miami Law. Maia now serves as the Trial Team President, the SBA Transfer Senator and was just re-elected to serve as a 3L senator next year. Maia also Co-Founded the Fashion Law Society and will be acting as President of the organization at the University of Miami School of Law. After graduating law school Maia hopes to work as a litigator.

Mecca Aikens

2L and Academic Chair of Georgetown's BLSA

Mecca Aikens is a second-year student at Georgetown University Law Center. She is from Hinesville, GA. She graduated from Mercer University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, along with 2 minors in Philosophy and Law & Public Policy. At Georgetown, she is the Academic Chair of Georgetown's Black Law Student Association (BLSA), a Student Fellow for the Admissions Office, the Notes Editor for the Georgetown Journal of Law & Modern Critical Race Perspectives, and a Barbri Student Representative.

Jumper Contreras

Incoming 2L at Tulane Law

Jupiter is a non-traditional law student in every sense of the word. As a first-gen queer, non-binary student at Tulane Law in New Orleans, Louisiana, they have made it their mission to expand the concept of what a lawyer looks like by being unapologetically themselves in every space they enter. Their interests vary widely and include international law (both human rights and business), post-conviction capital appeals, entertainment law (think: influencers), and, most recently, real estate law. This summer, Jupiter is working with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to provide expungement services to remove the barriers to economic opportunity placed in front of those who have formerly been convicted of criminal offenses. Jupiter uses they/them pronouns.

Join a world where entering the legal field is accessible.

Our free conference includes:

  • Expert advice from attorneys, recruiters, legal professors and admissions officers, and current law school students
  • A Career & Law Firm Fair with the chance to meet one-on-one with law firms in a variety of fields
  • A Law School & Resource Fair with a chance to meet one-on-one a variety of law schools across the country
  • The opportunity to get your questions answered live
  • Virtual networking spaces to meet with other attendees and panelists
  • Exclusive giveaways and promotions from Barrier Breakers® and our sponsors
  • And more!
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We are grateful to all of our sponsors for their commitment to BIPOC and first-generation aspiring lawyers! If you’re interested in sponsoring this event, visit Break Into Law Conference Sponsorships or email conference@barrier-breakers.org." for more information.

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