Diversifying the Legal Profession,
Because Together...Yes WE Can!
LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can
is a pipeline program that works to provide BIPOC and members of underserved communities with economic opportunities through professional training, mentorship, and networking to contribute to a more diverse and racially equitable Colorado workforce.
Our Mission is to Increase diversity in the legal profession in Colorado and to develop tomorrow's diverse leaders in their professional careers.
It came after a particularly defeating moment in class—Christine Arguello had revealed her dream to attend Harvard Law School, a secret she had held since seventh grade. It was the 1970s, and the determined young Latina was looking for reassurance from her classmates. Instead, Arguello (Edu’77) was met with blank stares and then, her worst fear, the class erupted in laughter. Her English teacher, Mrs. Poplin, went looking for the defeated Arguello after class, looked her in the eyes, and said, “Chris, I know you can do it.”
“Those seven words from a person I deeply respected were all I needed to reignite the flame of my ambition.” she said. “Soon my anger at my classmates rivaled my hunger and desire.”
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Judge Christine Arguello has been selected as the recipient of the Primera Abogada Award by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA).
She will be honored with an award at the 2025 HNBA Annual Conference, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions as a trailblazer in the legal profession and her unwavering commitment to mentorship, diversity, and advancing opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Join us in congratulating Judge Arguello!
Hi, Judge Arguello:
On behalf of the Latina Commission, we are excited to announce that we have chosen to award you with the Primera Abogada Award at the HNBA Annual Conference. The Primera Abogada Award honors a trailblazing Latina lawyer for her unique and lifetime contributions to the legal profession. You are unquestionably that person.
Again, we are so excited to be honoring you. Beyond your resume, which is obviously strong, the personal stories we have heard of your kindness, generosity and hard work are inspiring, and we are honored to present you this award.
Please let me know if you have any questions and congratulations!
Thank you,
Noeli Serna
Serna Legal Services, Founding Attorney
Spanish-speaking Corporate Attorney
Licensed to practice law in Illinois and Wisconsin
Upcoming Events
LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can is the proud recipient of the
2023 Alexander Award!
This award honors an individual or pipeline organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and success in expanding opportunities for and success of underrepresented students, including racial and ethnic minoritized communities, students with disabilities, and students who identify as LGBTQ+, along the educational pipeline into and through law school and into the profession.
"This portrait will hang on the wall of the Alfred A. Arraj courthouse for years to come. It is a memorialization of the fact that the American Dream is alive and well and available to everyone in this great country of ours. It is my hope that people who come into this courthouse, especially children and young people, as they walk down the corridor and look at the portraits of past judges will be inspired. Inspired in the sense that when they see my portrait they will think to themselves - there is someone who looks like me. Hey, maybe I too can someday be a judge. It is my hope that my portrait will inspire them to not be afraid to dream big dreams even if those dreams seem beyond reach. And I guarantee you that no one, not even I, ever thought that the life journey of little, shy Christine Martinez, neither of whose parents graduated high school, would one day reach this pinnacle." - Hon. Christine M. Arguello Senior United States District Judge and Founder of LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can
LAW SCHOOL...Yes We Can
develops tomorrow's leaders.
The first law school pipeline program of its kind in CO – targeting high-achieving high school seniors, college undergraduates and Gap Year Students from diverse backgrounds, Mentors and prepares them for law school.
It takes mentoring to a new level!
In addition to helping prospective legal professionals meet the challenges their predecessors faced, the program helps students, identify the unique challenges they will face in the future; cultivate the skills and relationships they need to mitigate competitive disadvantages that can accompany those challenges; perform at their peak academic, professional, and leadership levels while they are still in college. Through exposure programs, LSYWC will demystify the law school application process and give Fellows access to the legal profession.
DENVER URBAN SPECTRUM MAGAZINE FEATURE
LAW SCHOOL...Yes We Can's Executive Director, Dr. Kimberle Jackson- Butler,
is featured in
Denver Urban Spectrum Magazine -
spreading the news about people of color.
“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)
