Executive Board

Shayna is a third-year law student at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Passionate about civil rights advocacy and criminal defense, she is committed to using the law to advance justice and protect the rights of underserved communities. Her academic interests include constitutional law, criminal law, and election law.

Throughout law school, Shayna has built a strong foundation in public interest law, including interning with Latino Justice PRLDEF and The Bronx Defenders' Civil Action Practice. She also interned for the Hon. Kim M. Parker in the Bronx Supreme Court, Criminal Term, gaining valuable experience in both public service and the criminal legal system. Shayna has a robust background in politics, including working for the New York City Council prior to law school, and returned as a legal intern.

At Pace Law, Shayna is also a competing member of the Advocacy Team and serves on the Student Bar Association, and has held numerous positions within her Pace LALSA Chapter 

A proud New York City native raised in a Puerto Rican household in the Bronx. Shayna earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Leadership and Global Understanding from La Salle University. She has served on several boards and committees, including the Policy Committee of the Manhattan Young Democrats. 

jacqueline alvarez-vaca

Robert Gaston

Chabelly pacheco maluly

President

‍ ‍Shayna Ortiz

Vice President

Jacqueline is a third-year student at Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. She is committed to expanding access to legal services for Latino communities in New York City and Long Island.

During her 1L summer, Jacqueline interned with the Family Court Bureau of the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, gaining exposure to family law and client advocacy. For her 2L summer, she is serving as a Legal Intern in the Landlord-Tenant Unit of Legal Services of Long Island, providing bilingual assistance in housing matters. Her 2L summer internship was funded by the New York State Bar Association after she was selected as a Catalyst Fellow. During her third year, she will continue her public-interest work through Touro Law’s Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Clinic.

Through Touro Law’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Jacqueline has provided free tax-preparation assistance to Spanish-speaking members of the Long Island community. During her 1L year, she was recognized for independently assisting approximately 95% of the program’s Spanish-speaking clients.

Jacqueline also mentors high school students and college students interested in law. For the second consecutive summer, she participated in Judge Bianco’s Eastern District of New York Mock Trial Mentorship Program. Through this work, she helps students strengthen their confidence and advocacy skills while encouraging them to see themselves as the future of the legal profession.

Jacqueline is a member of Touro Law’s Trial Advocacy Practice Honor Society and received the CALI Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy. She hopes to build a career centered on public service, bilingual advocacy, and supporting families navigating the legal system.

VP of Finance

briana garcia

Briana is a third year law student at Touro Law Center. Born and raised in South Texas and comes from a Mexican-American heritage. Briana is currently working at the Appellate Division, Second Department - Attorney Grievances Committee, but will be returning to the Charities Bureau at the Office of the Attorney General this fall.

At Touro, Briana served as the MetroLALSA delegate and will be continuing to serve on the Touro LALSA board as Secretary. During Briana’s law school journey, she was able to clerk for multiple judges in both federal and state courts and spent a summer with the Division of Human Rights. Briana is interested in transactional, corporation or not-for-profit work, with an emphasis in bankruptcy or tax law.

Prior to law school, Briana worked in software development with a government software contractor. She graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, from American Military University. Outside of school, Briana does regular charity work with the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

VP of Public Relations

Arahi Baloyan

Arahi Baloyan is a second-year law student at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University. Before law school, she worked as a legal assistant at a New York personal injury firm, where she gained experience supporting attorneys throughout all stages of litigation.

Arahi has served as a Judicial Intern in the Westchester County Court and as a Student Aide III with the New York State Unified Court System. Through these experiences, she has developed a strong interest in the work of the courts and continues to explore the many paths the legal profession has to offer. She is passionate about advocating for individuals whose voices are often overlooked and helping make the legal system more understandable and accessible for those navigating it.

Originally from San Diego, California, Arahi comes from a Mexican, Armenian, and Lebanese household and plans to practice law in New York following graduation. Outside of law school, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, playing tennis, and traveling.

VP of Strategic Partnerships

Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Robert is proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and the community that shaped his values and perspective. He is a second-year law student at CUNY School of Law with a growing interest in entertainment law. Before attending law school, Robert proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, earned his MBA, and worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He now serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Metro LALSA, where he is committed to building meaningful relationships that expand opportunities for aspiring legal professionals and strengthen the legal community.

Outside of law school, Robert enjoys producing music and is passionate about the intersection of music and the law. He also values spending quality time with his family. As the eldest of seven children, family has always been at the heart of who he is, shaping his values of leadership, responsibility, and service.

Robert is committed to using his diverse personal and professional experiences to advocate for others, foster meaningful partnerships, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable legal profession.

VP of Membership

Joseph X. Rodriguez is a third-year law student at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where he began his legal education as a part-time student before transitioning to the full-time program. A proud second-generation Puerto Rican, Joseph was raised in both the Bronx and Puerto Rico and remains deeply committed to serving the communities that shaped him.

Joseph earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Law, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He began his legal career as a judicial intern for the Honorable Michelle Titus in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County, where he gained valuable insight into civil litigation and judicial decision-making. He is also a proud graduate of the Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) Program, hosted by the Judicial Institute in White Plains, New York, which prepares incoming law students for the rigors of legal education.

Currently, Joseph serves as a legal intern with the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) in its Immigration Department. There, he assists attorneys in providing immigration legal services to individuals and families throughout New York City's five boroughs. He obtained this opportunity through MetroLALSA, reflecting his ongoing commitment to expanding access to justice for underserved communities.

Throughout law school, Joseph has intentionally explored multiple areas of legal practice to develop a broad and well-rounded foundation. His long-term vision is to establish a law firm that provides comprehensive legal services while bringing together attorneys who share a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and community service. In addition to practicing law in New York, Joseph aspires to build businesses that create opportunities and give back to the Bronx, New York communities, and Puerto Rico through meaningful investment, advocacy, and public service.

Senior Alumni Director

Alumni Director

Serena rivera

Serena is an Agency Attorney with the New York City Department of Social Services, where she handles FOIL and agency records requests, as well as discrimination complaints for DSS, HRA, and DHS.

Born and raised on Staten Island, New York, Serena earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Loyola University Maryland in 2017. After graduation, she returned home to serve the people of Richmond County, where she spent four years as a paralegal working alongside attorneys in the Criminal Court, Immigrant Affairs, and Special Victims Bureaus.

Inspired by the attorneys at the Richmond County District Attorney's Office, Serena pursued her legal education at Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where she graduated in 2024. During law school, she served as President of the Latin American Law Students Association. She was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 2025.

Joseph Rodriguez

VP of Social Impact

Chábelly is a third-year student at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she is an E. Nathaniel Gates Scholar and Public Service Scholar. She previously served as a MetroLALSA Delegate during the 2025-2026 academic year, and worked as a Legal Intern in Cardozo's Entrepreneurship and Community Business Clinic, where she advised small businesses, non-profits, and minority entrepreneurs on transactional legal matters. This summer, she is working as a Legislative Intern in the Compliance Division of the New York City Council. She hopes to further pursue her professional and academic interests in transactional practice, public policy, and social justice. 

Prior to law school, she provided pro bono direct legal services in immigration and family law, served as a reader for a blind attorney, and lived and worked in Brazil at a fintech company. Outside of the classroom and office, she is a language enthusiast, speaking (and singing karaoke) in four languages. She was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic and grew up in Lindenhurst, NY

William Acevedo-Hernandez

William is a Plaintiff’s Personal Injury attorney in Forest Hills, NY, whose practice is focused on general negligence cases, including auto accidents, slip & fall, and trip & fall matters across NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County.

William was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but was raised in New York. He received his B.A. in Government & International Politics from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, in 2018. Upon graduation, he returned home to study at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where he received his Juris Doctor in 2021. Upon graduation, William served the people of Queens County as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting misdemeanor and felony offenses, including felony Hate Crimes, before leaving for his current practice in 2024.

William is admitted in New York State and federally in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.