Multicultural Judges & Lawyers (MJL) Section
Multicultural Judges & Lawyers Section Mission Statement
The general purposes of the Section, as set forth in its Bylaws, are to further the objectives of the Delaware State Bar Association (the “DSBA”), further the interests of attorneys, judges and members of the community of diverse ethnic backgrounds, foster communication and understanding among diverse groups within both the legal and greater community, encourage the public service rendered by its Members and promote the professional development and interests of its Members.
Important Resources & Links
MJL’s Statement to the Delaware Bar regarding Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter Resource Bulletin / August 2020 Resources and Events
MJL’s Statement in Support of the AAPI Community & Resources
Officers
Position |
Officer |
|---|---|
| Chair | Katelin A. Morales, Esq. |
| Executive Vice-Chair | Joshua B. Brooks, Esq. |
| Vice-Chair, Legislative Affairs & Community Relations | Open |
| Vice-Chair, Public Relations | Juan A. Martinez, Esq. |
| Vice-Chair, Law School Outreach | Charmi A. Patel, Esq. Chamyra L. Upshur, Esq. |
| Vice-Chair, Special Events | Dorronda R. Bordley, Esq. |
| Secretary | Stephanie Emmanuel-De Luna, Esq |
| Financial Secretary | Mari Boyle, Esq. |
Schedule of Events & Meetings
- The Haile L. Alford Breakfast:
The Alford Memorial Breakfast honors the life and legacy of Judge Haile L. Alford, the first African American woman appointed to serve on the Superior Court of Delaware. Judge Alford was an avid proponent of increased diversity in the Delaware Bar.
Save the Date!
Judge Haile L. Alford Memorial Breakfast
Thursday, May 8 | 8:30a.m.
DuPont Country Club
1001 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
Tickets are available for purchase online. To reserve your seat, please visit the following link: Purchase Tickets.
Sponsorship opportunities are available!
Please contact Dorronda Bordley at dbordley@lscd.com
Hosted by The Multicultural Judges & Lawyers Section
of the Delaware State Bar Association
2025 Alford Excellence Award
The MJL section has opened applications for the 2025 Alford Excellence Award, named in honor of Haile L. Alford, the first Black woman to sit on the Delaware bench. The award is in the amount of $3,500.00 and anyone sitting for the February 2025 Delaware bar exam, or the July 2025 Delaware bar exam is eligible to apply.
Attached please find a letter that describes the award and application process in more detail, as well as the application itself. Applications are due April 1, 2025, and applicants may send their materials directly to mjl.dsba@gmail.com, including their letters of recommendation.
Scholarship recipients will receive the award at the 2025 Haile L. Alford Memorial Breakfast held in May of next year.
Current Projects & Events
MJL Pipeline Initiative – This year, the MJL is focused on increasing diversity in the bar. As many of you know, that initiative starts at the high school and elementary level.Accordingly, we have partnered with the Delaware Law Related Education Center (DELREC) to create opportunities for MJL members to go out into the community and speak to diverse students about the law and the profession.
Opportunities to volunteer include:
- Argue Like a Lawyer workshops (1 hour- they learn to create arguments and back them up with evidence)
- Read to young learners – we have a book about lawyers
- Be on a panel of lawyers
- Know Your Rights- for any of our criminal attorneys
- Match your firm with a local school and start a long-term relationship with recurring annual events and experiences for students.
If you are interested in the above or would like to be put on DELREC’s volunteer list, please email Betsy Renzo, at BRenzo@delrec.org, or check out their website at www.delrec.org. The MJL will regularly be sending out other opportunities to MJL Section Members regarding volunteer opportunities.
- Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – Join us for a Happy Hour in Celebration of Black History Month
Where: D and H Jamaican Restaurant, 748 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, DE 19713 - Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – All DSBA Section Happy Hour
The DSBA Sections have come together to host the first all DSBA Section Happy Hour!
Where: Torbert Street Social, 305 Torbert St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Membership
MJL welcomes new members. If you would like to join the MJL Section, please contact LaTonya Tucker, Director of Bar Services and Membership.
MJL Member of the Month Series
Each month, the MJL highlights a member of the Section that is doing great things within the Section and/or the Delaware Legal Community. These members are highlighted to the Section via e-mail and to the greater legal community via the DSBA Bar Journal. If you’d like to be featured in this series or would like to nominate someone, please email Katelin Morales at kmorales@potteranderson.com.
Past MJL Members of the Month
February 2024: Juan Martinez – LEARN MORE