Affinity Alumni Reunion Weekend

Notre Dame Law School hosted its first-ever Affinity Alumni Reunion Weekend on March 21–22, 2025, uniting Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American alumni along with current students, admitted students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Law School.

Six smiling people, three men and three women, pose in Biolchini Hall of Law. They wear varied business casual attire, including suits, sweaters, and a jacket with a Notre Dame logo.
Katie Takeuchi '20 J.D., Emily Mollinedo '21 J.D., AJ Simonton '19 J.D., Max Gaston '13 J.D., Mark Wattley '91 J.D., JoAnn Chávez '86, '90 J.D., and Jae Kim '15 J.D.

Stronger Together: A Shared Commitment

A central theme of the Affinity Alumni Reunion Weekend was unity among members and alumni affiliated with APALSA, BLSA, and HLSA. Alumni from all three communities came together for a powerful conversation titled “Stronger Together,” highlighting collaborative leadership and shared values in law and advocacy. The panel featured voices across generations and practice areas.

Five diverse, smiling professionals – three men and two women – stand in business attire, two with lapel mics. One man wears a light blue suit, another a blue plaid jacket. A woman wears a black floral dress. Background is light walls with wood paneling.
Sang Yup Lee '05, '09 J.D., Karen Selking '05 J.D., third-year law student Brian Kim, Madhavi Seth '17 J.D., and Jobil Cyriac '06 J.D.

Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)

Dynamic panel featuring alumni who shared stories from their careers and reflected on the importance of mentorship, representation, and adaptability in the legal profession.

Inaugural Reunion Gala, a milestone event celebrating community, progress, and leadership. The evening honored Judge Edward S. Kiel ’91 J.D. with the inaugural Judge Edward S. Kiel Alumnus of the Year Award

Bald man in a dark pinstripe suit, white shirt, and orange patterned tie speaking, gesturing with his left hand raised. A lapel microphone is clipped to his suit jacket, with a warm wood-paneled background.
Kevin Warren '90 J.D.

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

Fireside chat with Kevin Warren ’90 J.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, who spoke about leadership, resilience, and his path from law school to the NFL.

BLSA Alumni Gala, where the Law School honored Jodi-Ann Quarrie ’17 LL.M., an international human rights and climate change attorney.

A man with white hair, in a gray suit, green tie, and US flag lapel pin, speaks from a podium displaying the Notre Dame Law School Hispanic Law Student Association logo. A blue banner with the gold ND logo and "HLSA" is behind him.
Judge Federico Moreno '74

Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA)

Fireside chat with Irma Herrera ’78 J.D., a playwright and solo performer, who shared insights from her legal and artistic journey.

Graciela Olivárez Banquet honored Judge Federico Moreno ’74, senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, with the annual Graciela Olivárez Award.