Girls Rule the Law Announces 2025 Youth Conference Honoring Judge Joanne D. Quiñones with Inaugural “Access to Justice (S)hero” Award.

Brooklyn, NY – [September 16, 2025] – Girls Rule the Law, Inc. proudly announces its upcoming Youth Conference, taking place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Brooklyn Law School, where the organization will honor The Honorable Joanne D. Quiñones, New York Supreme Court, Kings County, with the inaugural “Access to Justice (S)hero” Award.

A lifelong Brooklynite, Judge Joanne D. Quiñones has served on the New York State judiciary since 2010. She has presided as a Criminal Court Judge, Acting Supreme Court Justice, Court of Claims Judge, and currently serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court in Kings County, handling criminal, matrimonial, and Child Victims Act cases. In 2024, she was appointed Associate Justice of the Appellate Term for the 2nd, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts.

Hon. Joanne D. Quiñones 

Judge Quiñones is a past president of both the Latino Judges Association and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association and was the first Latina to lead the Judicial Section of the New York State Bar Association. She has been appointed to several statewide committees promoting fairness and ethics in the courts, including the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, and currently chairs the Second Judicial District’s Equal Justice Committee.

A passionate mentor, Judge Quiñones is known for “Camp Quiñones,” her internship and mentorship program that supports scores of students each year. She is a frequent speaker on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has been honored with numerous awards, including the Judith S. Kaye Access to Justice Award and the Vivian H. Agress Trailblazer Award.

She is a graduate of Brown University and Fordham University School of Law, where she was a Louis Stein Scholar in Public Interest Law and Ethics.

“Judge Quiñones is the embodiment of what it means to lead with purpose and to lift others as you climb,” said Mirna M. Santiago, Esq., Founder & CEO of Girls Rule the Law, Inc. “Her legacy of service, mentorship, and advocacy makes her the perfect choice for our first-ever ‘Access to Justice (S)hero’ Award. We are honored to celebrate her achievements alongside the next generation of leaders.” 

2025 Youth Conference Highlights

The Youth Conference is designed to inspire middle and high school students to pursue careers in law,

The program will include:

• A real law school lesson taught by a Brooklyn Law School professor.
• “From Law School to Lawyering” Panel featuring Brooklyn Law students and recent graduates.
• “Having Fun with a Law Degree” Panel showcasing women lawyers in unexpected industries.

The conference will run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and will bring together students, educators, legal professionals, and community leaders for a day of mentorship, inspiration, and empowerment.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Brooklyn Law School, Forchelli Conference Center.

About Girls Rule the Law, Inc.

Founded in 2018, Girls Rule the Law, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to introducing middle and high school girls to the legal field, the legislature, and the judiciary. Through youth conferences, law days, mock trials, and its signature “The Law Suits You” program, GRTL serves nearly 1,500 students annually across New York State.

To volunteer or learn more about this please contact us!

Media Contact:

Tania Davila

Events Director, Girls Rule the Law, Inc.

Email: tania@girlsrulethelaw.org

Website: www.girlsrulethelaw.org

Inspire the next generation of legal minds—sign up to volunteer as a mock trial instructor this spring!

New York, NY – April 23, 2025—Girls Rule the Law, Inc. (GRTL), in collaboration with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), and Her Future, is thrilled to announce the launch of a dynamic six-week Mock Trial Program beginning April 28, 2025. The initiative is designed to provide middle and high school girls with hands-on experience in trial preparation, courtroom procedures, and foundational legal concepts.

This after-school program consists of 12 interactive lessons tailored to fit the schedules of participating schools. Some schools will host the program on Mondays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, while others will run sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. No matter the schedule, all participants will be immersed in the legal field through engaging workshops and guided simulations. The program culminates in a multi-round mock trial competition, complete with an opportunity for teams to present an appeal, offering a realistic glimpse into the full judicial process.

“This is more than just a mock trial,” said Mirna Santiago, CEO and Founder of Girls Rule the Law. “It’s an empowering platform where students see themselves in roles, they never imagined lawyers, judges, leaders. We’re currently inviting lawyers, judges, paralegals, and law students to volunteer and teach a lesson or two. Your mentorship can truly change lives.”

The Mock Trial Program aligns with DYCD’s mission to foster civic engagement and educational advancement. By supporting immersive, skill-based initiatives like this one, DYCD helps provide young women with the tools and confidence to pursue future legal careers.

Program Highlights:

• Open to middle and high school girls
• 6-week curriculum | 12 lessons | Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Real-world legal training from professionals
• Multi-round mock trial competition with appeal round
• Volunteer-led instruction by practicing legal professionals

About the DYCD Mock Trial Project

The NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) supports programs that engage youth in experiential learning. This initiative, a partnership with DYCD’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, seeks to provide students with direct exposure to all phases of the judicial process, from evidence review to oral arguments.

About Girls Rule the Law, Inc.

Founded in 2018, Girls Rule the Law, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to introducing middle and high school girls to the legal field, the legislature, and the judiciary. Through youth conferences, law days, mock trials, and its signature “The Law Suits You” program, GRTL serves nearly 1,500 students annually across New York State.

To volunteer or learn more about this exciting initiative, please visit www.girlsrulethelaw.org 

Media Contact:

Tania Davila

Events Director, Girls Rule the Law, Inc.

Email: info@girlsrulethelaw.org

Website: www.girlsrulethelaw.org