From Lawtina to Lawyer: Sofia Urias (‘24) Reflects on the Impact of Arizona Law’s Lawtina Mentoring Program
When Sofia Urias (‘24) was sworn-in during her attorney admissions ceremony this fall it was by Pima County Superior Court Commissioner Helena Seymour, a full circle moment for them and the Lawtina Mentoring Program at University of Arizona Law.
Pima County Superior Court Commissioner Helena Seymour was the Judge during Sofia Urias' ('24) swearing in ceremony
Urias first met Seymore as an undergraduate in the University of Arizona’s BA in Law program when she was paired with her as a mentor with the first cohort of the Lawtina Mentoring Program in the spring of 2020.
“It’s influenced every aspect of my life,” says Urias of Lawtina. “My relationships, my career and overall goals. It’s been great.”
Building on the success of the BA in Law program, which provides undergraduates with solid training in core legal subjects, and the University of Arizona’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, the Lawtina Mentoring Program was created to support Latina BA in Law students interested in pursuing a legal education. The semester-long program pairs students with mentors – all women of color who work in Tucson as attorneys, judges and other legal professionals. Mentors in the program get to know students through weekly communication, shadowing and networking events.
“I feel honored to have been able to remain involved with Sofia from her journey as an undergrad to her swearing in as a lawyer,” says Seymour. “Sofia has had an amazing journey. I can still recall our first meeting discussing her future plans to attend law school.”
The program’s curriculum helps students identify which law schools may be right for them, how to apply, and teaches them foundational skills like networking and interviewing. Regular meeting topics include financial and personal wellness, free LSAT/GRE prep, and a community of support for undergraduate Latina students who have an interest in going to law school.
“In terms of success, I hope the program can help make the difference even for a few students who want to go to law school and feel like they don’t know how. The program is intended to help them connect to the (legal) community and provide them with resources. Just make that path a little easier,” says Jess Findley, director of Lawtina and director of Bar and Academic Success at Arizona Law. “Every time someone in the program goes to law school, I feel like it is doing what it is intended to do.”
In a recent survey of program alumnae, 25% are currently in law school or are admitted to law school, and 62% have plans to apply to law school.
“I am the first lawyer in my family and in other experiences my parents were able to help me in my goals. But this was so foreign for us that I couldn’t really ask for their advice. I knew that I always had their support, but they didn't know how to help me in this, so getting that help and guidance changed everything for me,” says Urias.
Sofia Urias, right, at her initial meet-and-greet with her mentor, Pima County Superior Court Commissioner Helena Seymour.
After completing the program, she continued to stay in touch with Seymour and Findley, especially while applying to law school.
"We learned the steps that you should take but then actually doing it is so intimidating,” says Urias of applying to law school.
“I brainstormed with Sofia on her personal statement for the 3 + 3 BA/JD program,” Seymour recalled. “She was one of the first students accepted into that program!”
On her first day of orientation at Arizona Law, Urias was relieved when she saw a familiar face in her small sections group, Theresa Palacios (‘24) from her time in Lawtina.
“It was nice to not only get a mentor from Lawtina but a friend, too,” she says. “We were together since day one of law school and then we became roommates and are still best friends.”
During her second and third year, Urias served as a research assistant and TA for Lawtina, saying that even that felt like a full circle moment for her.
Urias was able to put some of the knowledge she had gained in the program to help students. She was also able to join the cohort that received funding to travel to Washington D.C. — an experience that Urias says was eye-opening for students who had no idea about the different career paths possible with a legal education — an opportunity Lawtina hopes to one day make annually for its students.
“The Lawtina program is important to increase the awareness among Latina students regarding their ability to become attorneys. Having a mentor who can provide practical advice about the advantages and disadvantages about working in the legal field as an attorney is invaluable,” says Seymour.
“It was really built on the idea that the connections matter,” says Findley. “Having a resource to ask questions and the effort to bridge from undergrad to law school is not only helpful but critical. What we have seen through the program is the community continues to build and grow.”
“It is lifechanging,” says Urias. “It’s so great to know that the little network that I built during my undergrad year in Lawtina is still there and supportive of me.”
Urias, who now works in the commercial finance group at Snell & Wilmer in Tucson, will reunite with Seymour this spring for the Lawtina Mentoring Program’s fifth year, this time as a lawyer and mentor for the new cohort.
Four years ago, Arizona Law introduced the Lawtina Mentoring Program with the goal of diversifying the legal field. The program provides guidance and mentorship to Latina students in the BA in Law program, who make up 25% of the major, interested in pursuing legal careers.
Latinas represent 12% of the general population yet only represent 2% of lawyers.
The Lawtina Mentoring Program aligns with the University of Arizona's broader efforts to support Hispanic students. The University of Arizona, known for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), a federal designation that acknowledges colleges and universities with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent student enrollment.
This year, The Lawtina Mentoring Program was identified as an effective program in moving the needle towards greater college access, persistence, retention, transfer, and degree attainment for Latinx students in Arizona. Lawtina was recognized by two organizations on this front: the 2023 Programs to Watch by Excelencia in Education and an Arizona HSI Evidence Based Practice by the Arizona HSI Consortium.
Lawtina is generously supported by alumna Melody Robidoux (‘83) and received funding by the AccessLex Insititute during its first year.