Message from the Board

Dear New Lawyer Division Members,

It is hard to believe October is almost here, one of my favorite months of the year. Between pumpkin-flavored everything and the importance of Wrongful Conviction Day, there is much to look forward to.

Before we turn the page on September, I want to take a moment to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time not only to honor the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, but also to recognize the allies who walk alongside us in the pursuit of equity and justice. Heritage months are most powerful when they remind us that our stories are interconnected and that representation benefits us all.

As a first-generation Mexican American lawyer born and raised in Fresno, I know firsthand the challenges of entering a profession where people with similar backgrounds are still underrepresented. Yet across San Diego and throughout California, Latino lawyers, mentors, and peers are breaking barriers, lifting others up, and paving the way for the next generation. Your successes remind us that progress is possible when we lean on one another and celebrate every step forward.

San Diego’s vibrant legal history is rooted in moments of advocacy and unity, and there’s no better example than the creation of Chicano Park. In April 1970, when the community learned their promised park would be replaced by a police station, neighbors came together, occupied the site for nearly two weeks, and demanded their voices be heard. Their persistence led to the park’s creation. It remains a living monument to social justice, artistic expression, and the enduring power of Mexican American activism in our city. As new attorneys beginning your careers in California, consider this legacy: through collective action and persistence, lasting change is possible.

Today, as I reflect on Hispanic Heritage Month, it is also impossible to ignore the urgent national conversations about immigration enforcement, freedom of expression, and the right to protest. These issues impact many in our community and remind us why the principles of due process, fairness, and the First Amendment remain at the heart of our profession. As attorneys, we are called to uphold those principles and ensure that justice is accessible to all.

Hispanic Heritage Month highlights both the achievements and the continuing challenges of the Latino legal community. While about 11% of new California lawyers now identify as Hispanic or Latino, a record high, Latino attorneys overall still represent just 6% of practicing lawyers statewide, far below the population’s 37% share. Each new admission is a vital step toward greater representation and inclusion.

The SDCBA’s New Lawyer Division is committed to supporting all new attorneys on their journey. On September 30, join the upcoming Court Practice Series: Civil Court Essentials for New Attorneys, featuring Hon. Marcella O. McLaughlin, for practical strategies and insights at the Central Courthouse. Opportunities like this are designed to build your confidence, competence, and connection with San Diego’s legal community.

San Diego’s legal community is vibrant because of all of you, your voices, your stories, and your dedication to justice. Together, we can create a future where every lawyer feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

“La unión hace la fuerza.” “Unity is strength.”
Together, let us keep walking forward, sí se puede!

Very respectfully,
Claudia Salinas
Chair, SDCBA New Lawyer Division