Multicultural Judges & Lawyers (MJL) Section

CLICK TO LEARN MORE OR APPLY –>

MJL SUPPLEMENTAL BAR PROGRAM
HAILE ALFORD SCHOLARSHIP

Multicultural Judges & Lawyers Section Mission Statement

The general purposes of the Section, as set forth in its Bylaws, are to further the objectives of the Delaware State Bar Association (the “DSBA”), further the interests of attorneys, judges and members of the community of diverse ethnic backgrounds, foster communication and understanding among diverse groups within both the legal and greater community, encourage the public service rendered by its Members and promote the professional development and interests of its Members.

Important Resources & Links

MJL’s Statement to the Delaware Bar regarding Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter Resource Bulletin / August 2020 Resources and Events

MJL’s Statement in Support of the AAPI Community & Resources

Officers

Position

Officer

Chair Katelin Morales, Esq.
Executive Vice-Chair Emily A. Bryant-Álvarez, Esq.
Vice-Chair, Legislative Affairs & Community Relations Mari Boyle
Vice-Chair, Public Relations Rochelle Libid Gumapac
Vice-Chair, Law School Outreach Joshua B. Brooks
Vice-Chair, Special Events Dorronda R. Bordley
Secretary Juan E. Martinez
Financial Secretary Vernon R. Vassallo
Advisory Board The Honorable Aida Waserstein
Wilson A. Gualpa
Loren Holland, Esq
Alberto E. Chávez

Schedule of Events & Meetings

FEBRUARY 2024 MINORITY SUPPLEMENTAL BAR REVIEW PROGRAM

  • MJL Supplemental Bar Review Program: Sessions are held every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM between December 21, 2023 to February 15, 2024 and from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Widener University Delaware Law School.  Registration opens December 19, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).  Due to generous sponsorships from the Delaware legal community, the MJL is excited to announce financial need-based scholarships for the 2024 Program. The scholarships are for those who are experiencing financial hardships and will cover the cost of the course fee ($150). To apply, please submit a statement (no more than 500 words) addressing the following:
    • Why you want to take the MJL Supplemental Bar Review Program;
    • How participating in the course will impact you;
    • Briefly share your financial hardships; and
    • Your commitment to the MJL Section.

    Please email all scholarship statements to suppbarreview.mjl@gmail.com by 5pm on December 20, 2023. Supporters of the MJL who wish to be volunteer graders, mentors, or lecturers should email Joshua B. Brooks, Esq. at brooks@lrclaw.com.

  • Click here for the 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL BAR PROGRAM PACKET.
  • The Haile L. Alford Breakfast:
    The Alford Memorial Breakfast honors the life and legacy of Judge Haile L. Alford, the first African American woman appointed to serve on the Superior Court of Delaware. Judge Alford was an avid proponent of increased diversity in the Delaware Bar.
    .
  • Planning for the Alford Breakfast has begun and WE NEED YOU! We are currently soliciting MJL Section Members to be a part for the 2024 planning committee. Participation in the committee will include monthly meetings (which may become more regular as we get closer to the event in May), coordination on the day of the event and leading up to it, possible speaking opportunities at the event, and selection of scholarship and award recipients.
    .
  • If you are interesting in being a part of the planning committee for the 2024 Haile L. Alford Breakfast, please contact Dorronda Bordley at dbordley@lscd.com.
    .
  • SEEKING AWARD NOMINEES:
    We are currently soliciting nominees for the following awards which will presented at this year’s Alford Breakfast.

    • MJL Community Service Award:  an individual or organization who has exhibited a strong commitment and has made outstanding contributions to serving the community.
    • MJL Leadership Award:  a member of the MJL Section who has demonstrated substantial leadership and dedication to the MJL Section’s mission and goals.
    • MJL Rising Star Award: a member of the MJL Section who has been admitted to the Delaware Bar for fewer than ten (10) years, and has shown dedication to promoting the goals of the MJL Section.Please email Dorronda Bordley at dbordley@lscd.com to submit your nominees today!
      .
  • SPONSOR THIS EVENT:  The MJL needs support for sponsoring the breakfast which can be achieved at many different levels.  More information regarding sponsorship opportunities to come!

Current Projects & Events

MJL Pipeline Initiative  – This year, the MJL is focused on increasing diversity in the bar. As many of you know, that initiative starts at the high school and elementary level.Accordingly, we have partnered with the Delaware Law Related Education Center (DELREC) to create opportunities for MJL members to go out into the community and speak to diverse students about the law and the profession.

Opportunities to volunteer include:

  • Argue Like a Lawyer workshops (1 hour- they learn to create arguments and back them up with evidence)
  • Read to young learners – we have a book about lawyers
  • Be on a panel of lawyers
  • Know Your Rights- for any of our criminal attorneys
  • Match your firm with a local school and start a long-term relationship with recurring annual events and experiences for students.

If you are interested in the above or would like to be put on DELREC’s volunteer list, please email Betsy Renzo, at BRenzo@delrec.org, or check out their website at www.delrec.org. The MJL will regularly be sending out other opportunities to MJL Section Members regarding volunteer opportunities.

  • Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – Join us for a Happy Hour in Celebration of Black History Month
    Where: D and H Jamaican Restaurant, 748 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, DE 19713
  • Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – All DSBA Section Happy Hour
    The DSBA Sections have come together to host the first all DSBA Section Happy Hour!
    Where: Torbert Street Social, 305 Torbert St., Wilmington, DE 19801

Membership

MJL welcomes new members. If you would like to join the MJL Section, please contact LaTonya Tucker, Director of Bar Services and Membership.

MJL Member of the Month Series

Each month, the MJL highlights a member of the Section that is doing great things within the Section and/or the Delaware Legal Community. These members are highlighted to the Section via e-mail and to the greater legal community via the DSBA Bar Journal. If you’d like to be featured in this series or would like to nominate someone, please email Katelin Morales at kmorales@potteranderson.com.

Past MJL Members of the Month

February 2024: Juan MartinezLEARN MORE