Komunidad 7: Pathways

Saturday, February 28, 2026

@ Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher - One Embarcadero Center, Ste. 2600, San Francisco, CA 94111

Komunidad is a conference for Pilipinx American Law Students.

This year’s conference, like previous iterations, is a joint collaboration between FBANC and Fil-Am student organizations at law schools in Northern California (Berkeley; UC Law San Francisco; USF; Santa Clara; and UC Davis).

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Angelica Cortez. This will be the seventh year FBANC hosts Komunidad, which aims to serve current and aspiring law students.

Attorney/Volunteer Registration
Law Student Registration

Thank you to all our attorney and law student volunteers!

Detailed Program TBA

Komunidad is presented as a fully in-person event!!

KOMUNIDAD SCHEDULE (all times PST) - SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Location: Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher - One Embarcadero Center, Ste. 2600, San Francisco, CA 94111

8:30am: Doors Open for Check-In

9:00am: Light Breakfast and Opening Remarks

9:30am - Roundtable/Group Activity #1, Led by Bay Area PALS Coalition

  • Faith Magbero (UC Berkeley)

  • Angelene Obedeza (UC Davis)

  • Kaitlyn Jude Psaylon (UC Law SF)

10:30am: Keynote Presentation and Discussion with Dr. Angelica Cortez (Founder & CEO of LEAD Filipino)

12:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm: Roundtable/Group Activity #2: Led by Bay Area PALS Coalition

  • Abigail DeLeon (Santa Clara Law)

  • Franchesa Buendia (Santa Clara Law)

  • Nina David (USF)

2:00pm: Attorney Panel: Early Attorneys in Their Careers, Led by Bay Area PALS Coalition (Panelists Will Be Announced Soon!)

  • Therese Anne Caedo (USF School of Law)

  •  Nate Teng (UC Davis)

  • Isaiah Uson (McGeorge School of Law)

3:00pm: Komunidad Happy Hour/FBANC Foundation Scholarship Reception, Led by Bay Area PALS Coalition

  • Arren Kyle DeLos Santos (UC Law SF)

  • Isabella McHugh (Santa Clara Law)

  • Krystle Malixi (UC Berkeley)

Further information below:

Questions? Contact FBANC Mentorship Co-Chairs Nicolette Rae Bencito (nicolettbencito@fbanc.org) and Vanalee Cayabyab (vanaleecayabyab@fbanc.org)

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Angelica Cortez

Founder & CEO of LEAD Filipino

Dr. Angelica Cortez (she/her) is an award-winning activist, nonprofit executive, and Founder and CEO of LEAD Filipino, a national organization that advances the civic leadership and cultural power of Filipino Americans.

A second generation Filipina American, with roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Dr. Cortez holds 15 years of public policy and advocacy experience, where her interests continue to blend culture, community organizing, and political action.  

Previously, she held senior executive roles with trade associations and nonprofit agencies across California, where she most recently served as the inaugural Senior Vice President of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion for Pacific Clinics. 

Dr. Cortez has spoken on topics of Filipino and Asian American Pacific Islander [AAPI] civic empowerment and advancement at the White House, with Fortune 500 companies, and at college campuses across the country. She serves on the boards of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Campaign Board, Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), San Jose Spotlight, and Sacred Heart Community Service. She holds her Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California. She splits her time between San Jose and San Antonio, two major LEAD Filipino operating hubs.

Komunidad Planning Committee

Previous Komunidad Conferences

If you would like to see videos, information, and photos from earlier Komunidad Conferences between 2020 and 2024:

Click here for:

  • Inagural Komunidad (2020)

  • Komunidad 2: Pagdiriwang (2021)

  • Komunidad 3: Know History; Know Self (2022)

Click here for:

  • Komunidad 4: FBANC for All (2023)

Click here for:

  • Komunidad 5: Be the Change (2024)

Click here for:

  • Komunidad 6: Looking Back, Moving Forward

Thanks so much for your interest in Komunidad!