Cafecito

In 2006, at a diversity and inclusion conference, after hearing yet again the dismal statistics for Hispanic and Latina lawyers in leadership positions in the legal profession, Natalia Martn and Karla Sanchez decided to do something about it. They wanted to create something different from a typical bar association; something more intimate and infor... mal, yet powerful. So they invited a number of Latina and Hispanic colleagues to a breakfast, and the Cafecito was born. Over cafecitos (small cups of coffee) and through a list-serve, this informal network of Hispanic and Latina lawyers comes together to share contacts, information, job postings, experiences, referrals and friendship. Inter-generational by design, Latina and Hispanic law students may join as members. Cafecito membership includes judges, law professors, private and public sector practitioners, and former lawyers engaged in a variety of non-legal endeavors. Cafecito meetings are free of charge, and are open to all Latina or Hispanic women attorneys and law students. The monthly meetings were historically held on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To accommodate the varied different schedules of our Cafechicas they are now held on different days of the week and often in the evening, deemed a Vinito, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To date, most gatherings have been held in the New York City area, but right before COVID-19 visited us, we were able to host our first event outside of NYC, in Miami. Guest speakers often give brief remarks at the Cafecito on a range of current issues or topics of interest to the membership. Attendance can be anywhere from 20 to 100 lawyers and law students. Since the first meeting in May of 2006, Cafecito has grown to over 1,000 members simply by word of mouth.Read More