Students from NIU College of Law excelled at the 21st Annual National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) Conference and moot court competition held September 28 – 30th in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was co-hosted by Emory University School of Law, Georgia State University College of Law, and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
The moot court competition included fourteen teams from law schools around the nation, including Northern Illinois University, University of North Carolina, Penn State, University of Florida, St. John’s University, Florida International University, Florida Coastal School of Law, South Texas College of Law, University of the District of Columbia, and the University of Idaho.
NIU Law fielded a team comprised of third-year law students Irubiel Ferrer (’18) and Sussethe Renteria (’18) and a team comprised of second-year law students Marlén Romero Garcia (’19) and Manny Valdez (’19). The team of Ferrer and Renteria advanced through the preliminary and quarterfinals rounds to make the final four of the competition.
“I am extremely proud of Sussy, Irubiel, Marlén, and Manny and was so impressed by their performances,” stated faculty coach Professor Robert Jones. “To make the final four of the national competition is quite an accomplishment.”
Several NIU students and graduates helped organize the Conference as members of the NLLSA Executive Board. Jasmine Pedraza (’18) served as the Director of Membership, Miranda Hernandez (’17) served as the Director of Policy Initiatives, Alejandro Cuautli (’17) as the Central Regional Director, and Seth Wiggins (’17) as the Director of National Relations. Alumnus and Marine Corps Captain Bryan Kelsey (‘14) participated in the Conference as a judge in the competition.
Two current NIU Law students were elected to positions on the Executive Board of NLLSA for next year. Sussethe Renteria (’18) was elected as the Director of Policy Initiatives and Raquel Chavez (’18) was elected as the Central Regional Director.
“I am very fortunate and proud to work with such dedicated graduates and students who contribute so much to NLLSA,” stated Jones. “I would also like to thank Interim Dean Mark Cordes for his strong support of our program and NLLSA.”
