La Raza Law Students' Patino Banquet Set for March 13

Held annually to honor of one of UC Davis School of Law’s distinguished Latino graduates, the Lorenzo Patiño Awards Banquet is always one of the most anticipated events of the year at the Law School.  This year’s banquet, featuring a keynote speech from the Honorable Consuelo Maria Callahan of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, musical entertainment by Mariachi Jalisco, and, if the rumors are to be believed, the opportunity to take salsa dance lessons from Professor Anthony Chavez, is no exception.

Hosted by La Raza Law Students Association (LRLSA), the event honors the late Lorenzo Patiño ’73, whose career exemplified the commitment to diversity and public service that defines King Hall.  Patiño, who died of leukemia in 1983, was a highly respected leader in Sacramento’s Latino community who dedicated countless hours of service to helping the less fortunate.  Patiño was one of the first Mexican-Americans appointed to the Municipal Court of Sacramento, and a co-founder of the University of Northern California School of Law, an institution dedicated to providing a low-cost legal education for working people.  Though his time as an attorney, jurist, and community activist was cut tragically short, he had an enormous impact—enough to prompt La Raza member Miguel Martin ’84 to found the Patiño Banquet in his honor.

In addition to paying tribute to the legacy of Lorenzo Patiño, the banquet also honors La Raza’s graduating students.  This year, 12 association members will be graduating in May and will receive certificates of recognition for their service.  The Patiño Award will be presented to one or two students who exemplify extraordinary service and dedication, not only to the Latino community, but the legal community at large.  In addition, this year’s Patiño Banquet is hosting the first La Raza Reunion, which the association hopes to make an ongoing part of this annual event.

Scheduled for March 13, from 6-11 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Center in Davis, the Lorenzo Patiño Awards Banquet is open to King Hall alumni of all classes, as well as current students, faculty, and staff.  Tickets are $20.00 for students pre-sale and a flat rate of $35 for non-students.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Victoria Baiza ’10 at [email protected].