DIVERSITY AT PENN LAW

Michael Martinez '10

Hometown: Roswell, NM
B.S. 2005 Georgetown

As a Hispanic born and raised in New Mexico, diversity was an important consideration for me in choosing a law school. While many schools showcased diversity in their admissions materials, Penn Law truly followed through with its promises.

As a member of the Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA) here at Penn Law, I have been amazed by the support offered to this and other student organizations. The faculty and staff have been very helpful in organizing some of LALSA’s biggest events. La Gran Fiesta, LALSA’s flagship annual conference, has featured keynote speakers that have included a former United States Attorney General, ACLU’s Executive Director, and a prosecutor from the International Criminal Court. We top off the conference with a banquet featuring a healthy mix of Latin music. Prior to attending Penn Law, I never expected to hear Latin dance music blaring in the banquet hall of an Ivy League Institution.

Beyond this, Penn Law also fosters strong relationships with diverse student organizations among other Penn professional schools. As I applied and transitioned into the JD/MBA program, I received valuable guidance and support from members of the Wharton Hispanic MBA Association.

In short, there is no “typical” Penn Law student. The Law School draws from a diverse pool of applicants to create a talented and supportive educational environment.