The LJA High School Speaker Series program recruits volunteers every year.
The LJA’s Community Service Committee is continuing its High School Speaker Series Program, which originated in 2020. The program aims to motivate high school students to continue their education while offering insight into careers in the legal profession. We target high schools whose students are underrepresented in higher education. During the virtual presentation, a judge addresses a class for no more than an hour, during a designated class period. The segment may include questions and answers, as well as, stories and anecdotes of the judge’s personal experiences and (educational/economic/social) roadblocks. Although the program is ongoing, volunteers are asked to speak once during the school year. The committee will provide the volunteers with all information they need before the presentation via email or phone call. We are compiling a list of volunteers for this school year.
The program is a success partly because of the willingness of our members to participate in the program. The pairing of a judge to a class is a carefully thought-through process. Judges are matched with a class that meets at a time convenient to the judge and whose course work generally covers the judge’s area of jurisdiction and/or area of expertise. A volunteering judge’s name will be placed on a list and is called to participate based on these factors. We urge judges who have volunteered in the past, but who have not been asked to speak thus far to volunteer again. We also ask for new volunteers. A list is being compiled for all of New York State.
Please email the Hon. Connie Mallafre Melendez, committee Chairperson, at cmallafr@nycourts.gov to volunteer. Please indicate the court and county in which you preside.
Please visit the LJA Community Service page for comments from previous year’s volunteers Click Here.
Click Here for 2024
Click Here for 2023
Click Here for 2022
Click Here for 2021
Click Here for 2020
2025
Richmond Hill High School
District 27, Queens, NY
Oscar Alfaro
Law and Forensics Department Director
Social Studies Teacher
Hon. Sandra Munoz, Supreme Court Queens County
“Participating in this program was an incredibly rewarding experience. As a Latina judge later in my career, I was deeply moved by the thoughtful, insightful questions posed by the students—each one a reflection of their curiosity, intelligence, and commitment to understanding the world around them.
It was clear that they had taken the time to prepare and reflect before stepping into the room, and I felt honored to be part of that moment. Their questions challenged me to revisit the journey that brought me to the bench—the obstacles I faced, the mentors who guided me, and the resilience that carried me through.
Seeing young people of color engage so meaningfully reminded me of why representation matters. I saw in them the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. I left that day not only inspired, but hopeful.
Programs like this are essential—not just because they connect students with the legal system, but because they affirm that every young person, no matter their background, can aspire to and achieve great things.”. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute.”
March 2025
Bronx High School for Law Government and Justice
244 E 163rd St, Bronx, NY 10451
School Partners:
George Manolakos, J.D,
Hon. Janette Cortes-Gomez, Family Court Judge, Bronx Family Court
“Thank you to LJA, Judge Mallafre Melendez, Mr. Manalakos and the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice. I had a great time speaking with the students who had thoughtful and inquisitive questions which reflected their preparation and interest in the legal field. I strongly believe that our youth benefits greatly from direct contact with professionals who look and sound like them.”
April 2025
Hon. Carmen A. Pacheco, ASCJ Supervising Judge, New York City Civil Court, Kings County
“Speaking to the high school students was a rewarding mentorship experience. Discussing my experiences and answering their proposed questions, I was able to provide a deeper understanding of the importance of being an attorney and a judge. It was clear that the program provides an opportunity to cast a bigger net to influence young people to ensure career growth into our justice system. With this type of mentorship, LJA improves the prospect of diversity and inclusivity into the justice system and fulfills our mission that everyone deserves access to justice. We all benefit from this experience. If just one student goes to law school, then the success of this mentorship program is resounding. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute.”
April 2025
Hon. E. Deronn Bowen Acting Justice, Supreme Court—Criminal Term Bronx County
“Speaking with these teens was amazing. These kids really put some thought into the questions they prepared. And I mean THEY prepared, because the students’ real-time follow up questions during the talk proved they were really thinking about these things. The time flew by!
I encourage all of my colleagues to participate as often as your time allows. But be prepared! These students do NOT ask simple questions and are NOT satisfied with purely cookie-cutter answers (as demonstrated by their follow-up questions). You just may walk away with a touch of new learning yourself. I certainly did.”
April 2025
Hon. Connie Mallafré Meléndez Supreme Court Kings County
“As Chair of the LJA High School Speaker Series, I have organized countless conversations between LJA members and host high schools. That experience is immensely satisfying. However, it doesn’t top the joy that speaking to students brings me. Since the program’s inception in 2020, I make it my plan to be a speaker in this series once every year. Prior to my session, the collaborating teacher warned me that the class I would be interacting with was usually not very attentive. However, after a few minutes with this group, I thought the teacher had confused his classes. It turned out that not only were the students listening, but they were also excited to hear about my journey. As they realized that my struggles and the aimlessness that I experienced in my youth were similar to theirs, their questions became more complex and full of wonder. In the end, my sense was that I left them inspired and thinking about their own career paths.”
April 2025
Port Chester High School, Port Chester, NY
One Tamarack Road, Rye Brook, NY 10573‑2407
School Partners:
Yudelca Martinez, Bilingual School Coordinator
Hon. Wilma Guzman Supreme Court Bronx County
“It was truly a wonderful experience to address the students at Port Chester High School. It filled me with a sense of purpose and joy. Their attentive faces, bright smiles and questions reminded me of the importance of the mission of our association to share our experiences and insights with the future generation of lawyers and judges. Their energy and curiosity were infectious, sparking a lively and meaningful question and answer period. It was a privilege to encourage them to pursue their passion.”
March 2025
Hon. Maria Cubillos Reed Monroe County Family Court Judge
“I had an amazing time speaking with the students of Port Chester High School. I was delighted to see a wide array of countries represented by the students. They asked great questions about various professional opportunities and were engaged and respectful. I look forward to continued community engagement.”
March 2025
Hon. Betty Lugo-Martinez – Civil Court, New York County
Grateful to share my story to educate and inspire high school students and our youth with hope for the future. In Unity there is strength, stay focused, be motivated and patient with your journey. Aspire to great things!
March 2025
Hon. Nelida Malave-Gonzalez – Surrogate, Bronx County
I am honored to have been given the opportunity to speak to Port Chester High School students. Our professional achievements are a result of many ladders placed before us by our predecessors. Thank you, LJA, for giving us a way to knock down the walls that surround our youth and build higher ladders for them to surpass the one’s we used to get here.
March 2025
Charter School for Educational Excellence
60 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701
School Partners:
Dwain A. Palmer- Principal
Paul Lopez -Government and Economics Teacher
Hon. Francisco Calderon – Court of Claims
“It was a pleasure meeting with students yesterday morning. The class was a great group in that they listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions and appeared to have a great appreciation for the practice of law. My goal was to inspire and motivate students to pursue their academic and professional interests no matter what they are. After my presentation, if even one student in a class of twenty-five were inspired to work harder towards an academic or professional goal, then I believe that my objective and that of the Latino Judges Association has been met.”
February 2025
ATLAS High School
28-01 41st Ave, Astoria, NY 11101
School Partners:
Elizabeth Messman, Principal
Vanessa Emile, Lead Teacher
Hon. Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor
PRESENTATION DONE IN SPANISH
“I was delighted to participate in the Latino Judges Association High School Speaker Series with my virtual visit to ATLAS High School. The enthusiasm of the students and welcoming environment was a great joy.
Programs like these are important to connect Latino Judges to a younger generation so they can see themselves in positions of great impact and service. This program helps to inspire students to become leaders in their own community.
It felt great to share a little bit about myself and my journey to the bench as well as some of the experiences I’ve had growing up along the way. I hope to have inspired students to know that no matter where they are from or how many obstacles they may face, they can still succeed with hard work and determination. Thank you LJA, for making this very important community outreach possible for us.”
January 2025