Celebrating Diversity
Student Organizations Host Annual Banquet
Please Note: We can no longer accept advance reservations for the Diversity Banquet, but feel free to join us tonight at the Newark Club at 6 p.m.
Seton Hall Law School holds its Third Annual Diversity Banquet on February 16 at The Newark Club, celebrating excellence in diversity and law. Each year, four students organizations - the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) and the Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) – join together to honor the leaders in industry, the bench and bar, who serve as role models for those who follow in their footsteps. In doing so, these leaders advance the cause of diversity within the legal profession.
APALSA and BLSA will present “Distinguished Practitioner” awards to honorees David Kwon, Vice President and Corporate Counsel, ADP, and Trustee and Treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey; and Yvonne Smith Segars, former New Jersey Public Defender.
LALSA will present Ricardo Solano, Jr.’98, Partner at Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman, LLP with the Distinguished Alumni Award, or, Orguillo Latinto – Latin Pride” Award. In his 14-year legal career, Solano has approached the highest levels of local and state government while achieving excellence within private practice.
An editor of SETON HALL LAW REVIEW, after graduation Solano served as a clerk to New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz and then, for Judge Maryanne Trump Barry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then joined Gibbons P.C. as an Associate. A year later he left private practice to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey, and later as the First Assistant Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, overseeing the policies of the Division of Criminal Justice, the Division of Law, the Division of Consumer Affairs, the Bureau of Securities, the Division of State Police and the Office of State Police Affairs.
Solano joined Friedman, Kaplan, Seiler & Adelman in 2010 and focuses his practice on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations, corporate compliance, and commercial litigation. As a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Hispanic Bar Association, Solano works to maximize opportunities for fellow Latino attorneys to help them pursue career success. Solano is also a member of the Seton Hall Law Alumni Council, contributing to the Law School's strong and extensive network of graduates.
Solano said, “It is a real honor being selected by LALSA for this award. During my time at Seton Hall, LALSA provided a home for me as student who, like several fellow members, was the first in my family to attend college, let alone law school. The organization played an invaluable role as I began my legal career by, among other things, introducing me to LALSA alumni and other Latino lawyers that went on to serve as role models and mentors to me for years to come. For that reason, I have always tried to take time to do my part in helping students and recent graduates by participating in mentorship programs, taking time to discuss career opportunities with them, or simply offering a couple of words of advice.”
Seton Hall Law’s Director of Career Services, Sonia Cunha (pictured, left), another honoree, was selected by all four student organizations to be honored for her “Diversity Service.”
Cunha has a dedication to Seton Hall Law School that few can match. “I’ve been at the law school for 25 years, working at the Registrar initially and now as Director of Career Services,” she says. Her primary diversity work has been through the New Jersey Law Firm Group (NJLFG), a non-profit organization that is “committed to promoting inclusiveness and diversity in the New Jersey Bar.”
“The NJLFG offers great opportunities for students to be mentored by a local practicing attorney, receive general career advice, course selection tips, and to network with their mentor’s contacts in the nearby law firms,” says Cunha. “First-year students are matched with a mentor and they retain that same mentor throughout their law school careers.” The NJLFG also hosts events for students, including an upcoming career fair in August.
Cunha observed that during her tenure, "I've noticed an increase in diversity at the law school” and credits Dean Hobbs for being at the forefront of this movement at Seton Hall Law School: “Dean Hobbs, backed by Seton Hall Law faculty and administration, have made diversity a priority here.”
In addition to the award Cunha will receive at the banquet, she is also well recognized within the law school by faculty and students for her outstanding work. Diversity Director Malikah Fulton said, “Sonia is the go-to person, she knows the school and employees and has a strong alumni network. She is able to funnel students directly through to her resources.”
William Snowden ‘13, President of BLSA said, “Sonia is a great resource for students, she has great knowledge, she is an especially great resource to diverse students. She promotes diverse students with job placement, and has been personally helpful to me in securing a summer position with the Essex County Public Defender’s Office this summer.”
Lillian Raja ‘13, President of MLSA, Muslim Law Student Association, also had praise for Cunha. Lillian said, “I love Sonia, she is so awesome with her work here at the law school. I’m glad she is being recognized.”