2022-2023 LALSA Board
Co-President: Chiara Padilla, JD '24
Hometown: Farmington, Utah Undergrad: BS Gender Studies, International Studies, University of Utah ’18 1L Summer Internship: Civil Litigation, ArchCity Defenders Chiara is a 2L and Toll Public Interest Scholar. At Penn, Chiara is involved with the Youth Advocacy Project and If/When/How. Prior to law school, Chiara supported access to reproductive rights and health care with Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. In her free time, Chiara loves listening to Latin music and finding new food spots around Philly. |
Co-President: Michael Asparrin, JD '24
Hometown: Ewing, New Jersey Undergrad: BA School of Public & International Affairs, Princeton University '19 1L Summer Internship: Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund Michael is a 2L and Toll Public Interest Scholar at Penn Law. He is Co-Director of the Penn Law Immigrants' Rights Project, a Research Assistant for Professor Harris, and is a member of First Generation Professionals. During his 2L summer, he will be interning with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. In his free time, he enjoys listening and dancing to Latin music, reading, and following New York sports. |
Vice-President: Nataniel Tsai, MBE '24, JD '24
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona Undergrad: BS Public Health, BA Political Science, University of Arizona '21 1L Summer Internship: Office of the Chief Counsel for Drug Enforcement Agency at the Department of Justice Nataniel is a dual degree student at Penn in the JD and Master's of Bioethics programs. He is involved with a pro bono project through the Health Law and Policy Program at the Medical Community Legal Partnership, and during his 2L summer he will be working for a firm in Washington DC. In his free time, Nataniel enjoys watching sports, cooking and tasting new foods, and keeping up to date with politics. |
Secretary: Sofia Aumann, JD '24, MS Nonprofit Leadership '24
Hometown: Hollywood, Florida Undergrad: BA Sociology and Government, Cornell University '19 1L Summer Internship: The Defender Association of Philadelphia Sofia was born in Bogota, Colombia and is currently a 2L and Toll Public Interest Fellow at Penn Law. She is also a dual degree student pursuing a MS in Nonprofit Leadership at Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice. Sofia is a Community Partner Director of the Penn Law Immigrant Rights Project and a pro bono volunteer in Penn's Pardon Project. Sofia will be interning at the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office during her 2L summer. During her free time, Sofia loves to cook, hike, and travel. |
Treasurer: Alberto Cosio, JD '24
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad: BS Business, Babson College '20 1L Summer Internship: MasTec, Miami Alberto’s family left Cuba in the 60’s, eventually settling down in Miami where he grew up. During college he studied abroad in Russia, India, and China and held internships in South Africa and Hong Kong. Before attending law school, Alberto worked at a law firm in Miami specializing in real estate and corporate law for Latin-American clients. In his free time Alberto likes to work out, golf, and listen to history podcasts. |
Academic & Professionalism Co-Chair: Jay Mares, JD '24
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad: BA Finance, Florida International University '21 1L Summer Internship: United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida Jay was born and raised in Miami, Florida and his parents are Cuban and Argentinian. He attended florida International University for undergrad where he developed an interest in the intersection of business and law. He is looking forward to his 2L internship at Sidley in their Miami office. |
Academic & Professionalism Co-Chair: Deana Gonzales, JD '24
Hometown: Morris County, New Jersey Undergrad: BS Environment and Sustainability, Cornell University '21 1L Summer Internship: Summer Associate at Venable LLP Deana is currently Vice President of the Environmental Law Project and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Change. Prior to attending law school, she worked at various non-profits, including the Hispanic Federation in Washington, D.C. Deana loves to participate in any outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. |
Admissions & Mentoring Chair: Katia Cardoza, JD '24
Hometown: El Paso, Texas & Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Undergrad: BA International Relations, BS Radio-TV-Film, The University of Texas at Austin '17 1L Summer Internship: 1L Scholar at Skadden Katia is a 2L from El Paso, TX. Prior to law school, she worked at UnLocal and Al Otro Lado, where she helped provide immigration legal services to community members. She is currently an extern at Community Legal Services, doing housing work, and hopes to pursue a career in regulatory work, with an active pro bono practice. Katia loves Philly, and enjoys running by the river and exploring all the cuisines the city has to offer. |
Social Chair: Michelle Rodriguez, JD '24, MBE '24
Hometown: Los Angeles, California Undergrad: BS Neuroscience and Physiology and BA Modern Western Humanities, University of California San Diego '18 1L Summer Internship: Ropes & Gray Diversity Fellow, San Francisco Office Michelle is a second-year JD/Masters in Bioethics student and First Generation Professional Fellow. At Penn, Michelle is involved in the Health Law and Policy Project as the Director of Direct Services and with the First Generation Professionals as Co-Director of Events. Outside of school, Michelle works as an LSAT tutor, spends time practicing and dancing bachata, and plays with her cockapoo puppy named Noche. |
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Pro Bono Co-Chair: Samantha Perez, JD '24
Hometown:, California Undergrad: IL Summer Internship: Sam |
Pro Bono Co-Chair: Juan Pablo Madrigal, JD '24
Hometown: Scranton, Pennsylvania Undergrad: BS Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University '16; Certification of Professional Achievement in Human Rights, Columbia University '15 IL Summer Internship: Peggy Browning Fellow, Employment Unit, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia Juan Pablo serves as a 2L Toll Public Interest Scholar, committed to assisting underserved communities via community-based lawyering and government involvement. He is also a Research Editor for the Civil Rights Liberty Project and Associate Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Affairs. In 2023, he is interning at the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division – Disability Rights Section during the spring, Department of Labor – Office of Administrative Law Judges during the summer, and EEOC Hearings Unit in Philadelphia during the fall. Outside of law school, he is the father of an amazing four-year-old son, Eli. |
Fundraising Chair: Elise Zappia, JD '24
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California Undergrad: BA Political Science, UCLA '18 IL Summer Internship: Jackson Walker LLP, Houston, Texas Elise is a proud member of LALSA and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. As an undergrad at UCLA, she competed as a Division 1 Beach Volleyball athlete and won the NCAA Division 1 Beach Volleyball Championship her senior year. After graduation, Elise played professionally before coming to Penn Law. This past summer, Elise worked as a summer associate in Houston, Texas at Jackson Walker LLP. Elise is pursuing her JD/MBA at Penn Law and the Wharton School of Business and will graduate in 2025. |
Advocacy Chair: Isabella Hernandez, MBE '21, JD '24
Hometown: Queens, New York Undergrad: BA Philosophy and Anthropology, Skidmore College '18 IL Summer Internship: Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice, Queens, NY Prior to law school, Izzy worked as a paralegal for two years in New York City. From there, she received her Master’s in Bioethics from Harvard Medical School. Since being in law school, Izzy has solidified her desire to be a public defender and bring her bioethics background to the work she’ll be doing in the carceral space. Izzy is the co-chair of If/When/How, a board member of the Prison Legal Education Project, a volunteer with the Compassionate Release Collaborative, and an associate editor on the Journal of Law and Social Change. In her free time, she likes to go on long walks, watch a lot of tv, and hang with friends. |
Alumni Chair: Manuel Diaz Corrada, JD '24
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico Undergrad: BS/MS Electrical & Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University '16 1L Summer Internship: Haynes & Boone Manolo Diaz Corrada was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Before becoming a student at Penn’s Carey Law School and the Lauder Institute, he earned a dual Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Science in systems engineering and management at the University of Texas at Dallas. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, he worked as an engineer and product manager in Texas, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., in the semiconductor and personal electronics industries. |
Conference Co-Chair: Arlene Amador, JD ‘24
Hometown: Queens, New York Undergrad: BA Sociology Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College CUNY ’13 1L Summer Internship: Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP Arlene is a 2L J.D. student at Penn Law who is involved in many student activities including the Black Law Students Association, the Disabled & Allied Law Students Association, and the Transnational Legal Clinic. She was an Associate Editor on Volume 44 of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law and is Managing Editor of Volume 45. Before law school, she had a career supporting attorneys as a paralegal and assistant for over eight years at several organizations including the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, and White & Case LLP. In her free time, Arlene enjoys learning and studying languages, music, films and media, museums, games, and travel. |
Conference Co-Chair: Lazaro Gonzalez, JD '24
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad Degree: BA Political Science, Florida International University '20 1L Summer Internship: Bilzin Sumberg, Miami Lazaro Gonzalez is a 2L and was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. At Penn, he is involved with the Language Access Project and the Penn Law Immigrants' Rights Project, helping victims of violent crimes obtain a path to citizenship. In his spare time, Lazaro enjoys watching FC Barcelona, the Miami Heat, and spending time with his fiancée. |
Conference Co-Chair: Max Michel, JD '24
Hometown: Tampa, Florida Undergrad: BS Economics, Florida State University '19 1L Summer Internship: Judicial Intern for Paul Matey Max is from Tampa, Florida, and received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University. At Penn Law, he is involved with LALSA, Christian Legal Society, and Law Review. In his free time, he enjoys running and watching movies. He hopes to pursue a career in litigation and will be spending his 2L summer at a firm in New York. |
3L Representative: Carolina Romero, JD '23
Hometown: Hackensack, New Jersey Undergrad: BA Political Science with a minor in Latinx Studies, Seton Hall University '19 1L Summer Internship: In-House, Cigna 2L Summer Internship: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, New York Carolina Romero is a 3L at Penn Law. She is heavily involved in LALSA, a production editor for the Journal of Constitutional Law, and a member of the First Generation Professionals group. After graduation, she will be returning to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in New York. In her free time she enjoys cooking, working out, and trying out all of the city’s best happy hours. |
1L Representative: Alejandro Ashworth, JD '25
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Undergrad: BA Economics, Harvard College ‘17 Alejandro is a 1L from Philly. At Penn Law he is involved in C-REP, the Pardon Project, and is a 1L rep for the Penn Housing Right Project. Alejandro will be interning at the Sheet Metal Workers' Local 19 as a Peggy Browning Fellow this summer. Alejandro also plays soccer with Penn Law FC and enjoys traveling, reading, and exercising. |
1L Representative: Sam Burdyl, JD '25
Hometown: Arlington, VA Undergrad: BA Psychology, BS Accountancy, Auburn University '17 Sam is a 1L at Penn Law where she is involved with the Financial Literacy Project, Comedy & Improv Club, and DC Law Club. In her free time, Sam enjoys training her very stubborn rescue dog, stand-up comedy, and books about corporate dysfunction. |
1L Representative: Andrea Delgado, JD '25
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad: BSBA International Business and Marketing, Georgetown University '22 Andrea is a first-year J.D. student at Penn Law from Miami, FL. At Penn Law, she is involved in the Latin American Law Student Association and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. In her free time, Andrea loves to read mystery novels and play golf and tennis. |
1L Representative: Alyson Diaz, JD '25
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad: Public Policy, Duke University '21 Alyson is a first-year J.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is involved with the Financial Literacy Project and First-Generation Professionals. Before law school, she helped survivors of human trafficking overcome their trauma and rebuild their lives in Miami, FL. In her free time, she enjoys finding the best deals at TJ Maxx and exploring Philly restaurants with friends. |
1L Representative: Mitchell Johnson, JD '25
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ Undergrad: BA Philosophy and Economics, University of Notre Dame ‘22 Mitchell is a 1L at Penn Law. In addition to LALSA, Mitchell is also a Founding Officer and Vice President of the St. Thomas More Society as well as a member of the Federalist Society. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, writing, and reading. |
1L Representative: Juliet Patterson JD '25
Hometown: Orlando, Florida Undergrad: BA in Business Administration, Pre-Law, The University of Florida, ‘21 Juliet is a first year law student and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School were she is involved with LALSA, APALSA, Lambda, ACS, and If/When/How. Prior to law school, Juliet worked at Lake Sumter State College as the Youth Development Coordinator where she designed, implemented, and ran programs meant for local students under the age of 18. She will be interning this summer at Nishimura and Asahi in Tokyo, Japan as a Summer Associate and now has hopes to work in Tokyo, Japan long term. Outside of law school Juliet loves singing, drawing, thrifting, and trying new coffee shops and restaurants. |
1L Representative: Adriana Ramirez, JD '25
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico Undergrad: BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Pennsylvania ‘19. Adriana is a 1L from San Juan, Puerto Rico. At Penn Law, she is involved with the Penn Law Immigrants Rights Project, the Women’s Association, the Internet, Tech and Society Collective, and the Business Law Association. Outside of law school, Adriana likes to cook, stay active, read, and binge true crime podcasts. |
1L Representative: Juliana Recarey, JD/MBA '25
Hometown: Marlboro, New Jersey Undergrad: BS Engineering & Education, The College of New Jersey ’19 Juliana is a first-year in the JD/MBA program at Wharton & Penn Law where she is involved in the Penn Business Law Association as well as the Private Equity & Venture Capital Society. Prior to law school, Juliana worked at Morgan Stanley for three years. In her free time, Juliana loves to spend time at the beach, try out new restaurants, and attend Yankees and Knicks games. Nataniel is a dual degree student at Penn in the JD |
1L Representative: Rafael Rojas, JD '25
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico Undergrad: BA in Political Sciences and French Studies, UMass Amherst '20 Rafael joined Penn Law after working with various legal aid organizations, labor unions, and other nonprofits across New England and Texas. Rafael is also a 1L rep for the Penn Housing Rights Project and served to assist in their Lawyer of the Day/Tenant Diversion program. His favorite hobbies include swimming, drawing, and film photography. |
1L Representative: Camila Samuelsson, JD '25
Hometown: Palo Alto, California Undergrad: BA Anthropology & Sociology and International Affairs, Lafayette College '20 1L Summer Internship: Immigration Law Unit, The Legal Aid Society Camilla is a first-year J.D student at Penn Carey Law where she is involved with the Youth Advocacy Project and is a member of Lambda, SPIN, and DALSA, and is currently partaking in the intramural bowling league. Prior to law school, she worked as a regulatory compliance officer in financial services in New York City. Outside of law school, Camilla enjoys cooking, musicals, and finding opportunities to practice salsa and bachata dancing. |
1L Representative: Willian San Pedro, JD '25
Hometown: Miami, Florida Undergrad: BA History, University of Pennsylvania ’22 William is a first year student from Miami. At Penn Law, he is involved with the International Arbitration Association, International Law Society, and the Bowling League. In his free time, William enjoys cooking, fishing, and playing golf. |
LLM Representative: Karina Miranda, LLM '23
Hometown: São Paolo, Brazil Karina is an Afro-Brazilian LL.M. Student at University of Pennsylvania, becoming the first Brazilian black woman to pursue a Master of Laws degree in an Ivy League University. Prior to starting her studies at Penn, Karina has worked at one of Brazil’s most prestigious law firms in dispute resolution area of practice and is the Co-founder of the law firm’s Black Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Karina is also a member of the Special Commission for Media, Entertainment, and Culture at the Brazilian Bar Association; a mentor for USP black students at the Legal Alliance for Racial Equity; and the Coordinator of the Permanent Committee of Women Lawyers at the Brazilian Bar Association. |