OUR TEAM

MetroLALSA, Inc. has a unique structure. This organization consists of a Board of Directors, Management (i.e., the executive board), and delegates.

The Board of Directors oversee the organization. The board positions are held by experienced professionals. While not a requirement, the board members are alumni of MetroLALSA.

The organization, however, is led by students -- the executive board. The executive board handles the day to day operations and carries out the MetroLALSA mission.

The executive board and board members obtain their positions from the vote of the delegates. The delegates are the representatives of the MetroLALSA member law schools. This democratic system ensures transparency and accountability.

With that said, meet the team that makes things happen.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jorge Rodriguez, Esq. is an alum of New York Law School, is one of the founding members of MetroLALSA, and has attended all of the Pa’Lante conferences.

Jorge is a U.S. Army Veteran having served during Operation Desert Storm. He received his Bachelors in Investments from the City University of New York’s Baruch College and is an alum of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity’s (CLEO) program as well as the LatinoJustice/PRLDEF pre-law program.

Jorge was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, raised in the South Bronx, and is the only one in his family to obtain a college degree.

Jorge spent five years in law school admissions and is passionate about helping other underrepresented candidates get into and graduate from law school. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Chrystina S. Lopera, Esq. is an Assistant District Attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. She works in the Trial Division Bureau where her caseload is comprised of violent felonies including gun possession, assault and robbery. In 2019, she received the Hal Miller Weinstein award from the honorable and departed Richard A. Brown as the member of her class that most exemplified spirit, dedication and enthusiasm for public service.

Chrystina graduated from John Jay College for Criminal Justice in 2011 with a bachelors degree is Forensic Psychology. Her strong desire to improve the space for Latinos in the law led her to graduate from New York Law School in 2016 as President of both NYLS LALSA and MetroLALSA. She shaped her legal career by interning with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, QDA Domestic Violence Bureau, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Legal Aid Society and the U.S. Probation Office.