Graduate Profile: Yessica Martinez

Yessica Martinez’s mom once told her that she had dreamed of becoming a lawyer but was unable to pursue that dream due to life’s challenges. At that time, Yessica didn’t quite understand what becoming a lawyer required. No one in her family had gone to college, let alone entered the professional world.

For Yessica, that all changed with a single week at a courthouse. Years before she would walk the halls of Touro Law Center as a student, Yessica attended a high school summer camp at the federal courthouse—an experience that shaped her future.

Being part of that program, participating in a mock trial, and being exposed to different legal careers excited her and provided a sense of purpose. This set her on a path to achieve a law degree – the first in her family to go to college and graduate from law school.
Once she got to Touro Law, Yessica shone. She emerged as a leader in the classroom and among her peers.

Yessica’s time at Touro Law has been defined by a relentless drive to "give 110%." As an active member of Moot Court, she discovered the profound difference between "arguing on paper" and standing up to advocate for a client in person.

Her competitive spirit took her across the country, allowing her to see the culture of various law schools. The experience solidified her identity as a future lawyer. “It reminded me that no matter where you go, we all experience this high level of pressure in law school—and we’re still excited about it and keep going anyway.”

Beyond the courtroom, Yessica served as the President of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA), a role that allowed her to build lasting relationships with peers, attorneys, and judges. Under her leadership, her board successfully hosted nearly 200 members of the legal community for the national LALSA conference at Touro’s NYC campus this past April.

While Yessica excelled in the classroom, her hands-on experiences provided the ultimate clarity for her career. Interning at the Appellate Division, First Department, served as a major turning point. Under the mentorship of four different judges, she realized two things: she is a litigator at heart, and she has the long-term goal of one day sitting on the bench herself.

She credits Touro Law’s supportive environment with giving her the confidence to chase these high-level ambitions. “I remember preparing for the NYC Diversity Fellowship interview and being reminded to stay true to who I am—and not be afraid to show my best qualities and advocate for my place.” Yessica landed the Fellowship and spend the summer working for Morgan Stanley.

During law school, Yessica also volunteered at the same high school summer camp where she found her inspiration to pursue a law degree. She was happy to mentor the students and help them learn the law and find their own passion.

As she looks toward the future, Yessica’s mission is simple: to make her younger self proud and be the kind of attorney that others aspire to be. She states, “I’m most proud of the fact that I never stopped myself from applying to something or going after an opportunity, even when I didn’t get it, and even when it meant more work. Every experience has built my confidence and made me more excited to be part of the legal community.”

With her track record of leadership, academic excellence, and community service, Yessica Martinez isn't just joining the legal profession—she is set to lead it. She already has an associate position with a law firm that will begin after she takes the New York Bar Exam in July.
Her parents are so proud of her journey and can’t wait to cheer her on at graduation!