U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, the first woman and first Hispanic
to hold the job of the state's top federal prosecutor, delivered
the keynote address to high school, college and law school students
on April 27 to celebrate the first year of the MBA's Tiered
Community Mentoring Program.
The program, which kicked off in October, matched up four tiers
of individuals: practicing lawyers and students from Suffolk
University Law School, Roxbury Community College, and John D.
O'Bryant High School in Roxbury.
The wrap-up was held at Suffolk University Law School, and also
featured remarks from Bernard Keenan, Suffolk's interim dean and
professor of law.
"You want to make an impression, wherever you are," said Ortiz,
who recommended staying in touch with mentors and colleagues - even
from internships - because you never know when those relationships
will be revisited.
Ortiz first met her new boss, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder,
when she was a student at George Washington University Law School
interning at the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section and
Holder was a trial lawyer in the section.
Ortiz advised the group of students that they surround
themselves with people who believe in them, remain confident in
themselves, utilize education as a path to success and work hard.
"The bottom line is you can do what you set out to do with hard
work and determination," she said.
The program was the idea of Norfolk and Family Court Associate
Justice Angela M. Ordoñez, who also delivered remarks.