¡Felicidades to our Co-Director, Maria Nuñez, for being recognized as the 2021 Attorney of the Year by the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association!. She will be honored at this year’s SDLRLA Scholarship Fund Annual Gala in the company of hundreds of esteemed judges, attorneys, elected city, state and federal officials, and community leaders on November 30, 2021, at The Guild Hotel in downtown San Diego.

Maria is among the strongest leaders in the Latinx community advancing equity and social justice. We are proud of her for all her accomplishments but most of all for her compassion, leadership, and unrelenting advocacy on behalf of our community!

Past president and board member of SDLRLA for the last thirteen years, Maria Nuñez is the 2021 SDLRLA Attorney of the Year. Maria is the principal of Nuñez Law Corporation, a firm focused on helping individuals and small businesses file bankruptcy and litigate disputes, serving both as plaintiff and defense counsel. Maria has spent her legal career advancing the cause of equality and empowerment for Latinos and the greater community by identifying and creating strategic partnerships with legal and non-legal organizations, strengthening active involvement of SDLRLA members with the broader community, and mentoring those who aspire to serve in elected and appointed positions. Maria commenced her service with SDLRLA while a student at California Western School of Law and president of the La Raza Law Student Association. Honoring the tradition of giving to our community, she served as a Director of SDLRLA, and later had the privilege of serving as president for one year, immediate past president for one year, secretary for a number of years and vice president for two years.  

Maria has the distinct honor and privilege of serving as the first Latina elected to the City Council of the City of San Marcos. She has served on numerous boards and committees aimed at improving the lives of Latinos in the legal profession and the broader community. She currently serves as a Co-Director and Advisor at Universidad Popular, a grassroots community-based organization, promoting health, education and nurturing a culture of trust and civic participation in our nation’s democratic process. Universidad Popular brings together leaders and educators with bold ideas who create programs that are culturally and linguistically responsive, data-driven, and social justice focused.

In response to the historic Covid-19 pandemic that has disproportionately impacted Latinos and immigrants, Maria has been on the frontline advocating for resources and coordinating outreach to increase equitable access to life-saving Covid-19 vaccinations, testing, and economic relief to North County's most vulnerable community members, essential workers, children and their families.  Maria is convening change makers and leading advocacy efforts to ensure Latinos receive needed resources to overcome and recover from the deadly pandemic. SDLRLA is recognizing Maria for her tireless advocacy in ensuring that Latinos across San Diego County have equitable access to life-saving resources to help alleviate the devastating impacts of Covid-19.