Patiño Banquet 2015

Last Friday evening, the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento was the site of the 33rd Annual Lorenzo Patiño Banquet.  It was a festive evening, with good Mexican food and mariachis serenading the dinner tables.  Dean of USF Law School and former President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), John Trasviña, gave an inspiring keynote speech about the obligation of the soon-to-be lawyers in attendance to work for the community. 

The graduating La Raza Law Students Association students were honored and it was wonderful to see them be recognized.  The Lorenzo Patiño award winner was Laura Flores, last year's co-chair of LRLSA who has worked for the immigrant community through her work with the Immigration Law Clinic, CRLA Foundation, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights for the San Francisco Bay Area, Employment Law Center, and other groups.   A native of Texas (and huge San Antonio Spurs fan), she is a student leader and committed community member who makes me proud to be at UC Davis School of Law.  The evening ended with the students presenting Hon. Cruz Reynoso with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his mentoring and support of law students.

Timothy Griffiths, our Associate Director for Public Interest & Public Sector Careers, was an excellent emcee.  Professors Amagda P érez and Cruz Reynoso participated in the recognition of the students.  Professors Rex Perschbacher, John Hunt, and Larry Green were in attendance.

Stephanie Padilla was the chair of the Patiño dinner committee and did an outstanding job.  And LRLSA co-chairs Bianca Duenas and David Canales deserve kudos for their leadership this year!