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In this insightful webinar, The Honorable Lourdes M. Ventura will share her personal trajectory and pathway to the judiciary. Drawing on her unique experiences while a student at UB, as an attorney, and ultimately, as a judge.  Justice Ventura will discuss the key steps, challenges, and opportunities that shaped her career. Students and alumni alike will gain firsthand insights into what it takes to transition from attaining your degree, practicing law to assuming a judicial role, including the skills, networking, and perseverance required for success. Whether you're considering a similar path or simply curious about the journey, this session offers valuable advice and inspiration for all.

About Lourdes M. Ventura
The Honorable Lourdes M. Ventura, JD '98, MSW '98, BA '04, is currently serving as an Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department and formerly served on the historic all-woman bench in Appellate Term of the Supreme Court for the 2nd, 11th, and 13th Judicial Districts.  She also presided over matters of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the 11th Judicial District (Queens County) in the Civil Term and co-chaired the Queens Supreme Court Civil Term Equal Justice in the Courts Committee.  In 2019, Justice Ventura served as a Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York in Queens County.  Prior Justice Ventura’s service on the bench, she was a partner at the law firm of Ahmuty, Demers & McManus and served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, former prosecutor for the Queens District Attorney’s Office, in the New York State Senate in various capacities, including Special Counsel to the New York State Senate Majority Conference, Counsel for Latino and Immigrant Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff overseeing the Policy and Finance departments.  Justice Ventura is a graduate of the SUNY Buffalo Law School.

Justice Ventura also serves as a member of the New York Pattern Jury Instructions (Civil) Committee.  Justice Ventura is currently serving as President of the Latino Judges Association and is a board member of the Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert.  She has served on a number of bar associations, was the first Latina to serve as an officer of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and was the first Latina to serve as President of the venerable Queens County Women’s Bar Association.  Justice Ventura is also past President of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County. 

Justice Ventura has been the recipient of numerous local, and state, awards and citations for exemplary community service and outstanding citizenship.  On May 15, 2003, Congressman Charles Rangel read Justice Ventura’s achievements into the Congressional Record and on March 6, 2020, Justice Ventura was the recipient of a Medal of Merit bestowed by the President of the Dominican Republic in celebration of International Women’s Day.  In 2022, Justice Ventura was recognized as a Mujer Destacada by El Diario newspaper.  

Justice Ventura is a graduate of the SUNY Buffalo Law School and is an emeritus member of the Dean’s Advisory Council.  She is admitted to the state bar in both New York and the District of Columbia.  She is also admitted to the federal bar in the Southern, Eastern, and Western districts of New York State and is admitted to the United States Supreme Court.  

Justice Ventura looks forward to continuing her service to the bench, bar, and community.