Patiño Banquet

Yesterday at the Elks Tower Event Center in Sacramento, the Latinx Law Students Association held the 40th Annual Lorenzo Patiño Banquet. It was an inspirational celebration of the incredible Latinx law students at UC Davis School of Law. It was the first Patiño Banquet held in person since 2019 and it was one of the best ever. Many students, including 2L Ivette Arriaga, worked long and hard to make the event a success.

I had the honor and privilege of welcoming the faculty, staff, judges, students, families, and friends in attendance. We had a great crowd, including Dean of Student Affairs Emily Scivoletto, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellow Alexis Elston, Joe Schneider of the Admissions Office, and many more. The late Justice Cruz Reynoso attended the Patino Banquet for years and last attended in 2018. Among the judges in attendance this year were Judges Shama Mesiwala '98, Emily Vasquez, and Sonia Cortes. 

I  also had the honor of participating in the stole ceremony celebrating the Class of 2022. The LaLSA stole is a reminder to graduates that they did not make the journey alone and it represents a lifelong journey of learning, sacrifices, and community. As a token of student appreciation to families, each graduating 3L will walk across the stage with the family members who presented their stoles. Each graduate was individually recognized. Professors Amagda Pérez, Leticia Saucedo, and Raquel Aldana also participated, along with Assistant Dean for Academic Success Chris Ide-Don.

Monica Ortega '22 was named as the Lorenzo Patiño Community Service Award Winner. I was lucky to have had her serve as one of my research assistants.

Chris Ide-Don was honored with the Cruz Reynoso Faculty Award for his comprehensive academic support services and advice for our students.

It was a special night and made me proud to be at UC Davis School of Law.