MELISSA MOREL

Co-President, BU Latin American Law Student Association 

Age: 25

Heritage: Dominican 

 

Notable Accomplishments:

• Campaign Manager and Finance Director, Committee to Elect Steve W. Tompkins
  Ran county-wide campaign in which candidate won an overwhelming 84% of the vote.

• Yearly Fundraising Exceeded $1,000,000
  Associate Strategic Fundraiser at MLM Strategies 

• Phi Beta Kappa
  National Academic Honor Society

• Pi Sigma Alpha
  National Political Science Honor Society

• Elected Section Representative
  Representing respective section within Boston University School of Law Student Government Association

 

Melissa Morel is originally from Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. She currently serves as the elected Co-President of Boston University’s (BU) Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA.)  Under Melissa’s leadership, BU LALSA has focused on supporting under-represented minorities at BU Law in their preparation for their future successful legal careers, in addition to enhancing relationships between the Greater Boston legal community and Latinx students. This year, LALSA has frequently partnered with the Hispanic National Bar Association and has hosted major events including the Latin American Heritage Celebration Dinner. This event allows students of color and diverse members of the Boston legal community to connect and discuss different practice areas. 

 

It was Melissa’s passion for the Latinx community that drove her into law and politics. Shortly after graduating from Boston University with both a Bachelor and a Master’s in Political Science, she ran the Steve Tompkins’ successful fledgling election for Suffolk County Sheriff. She was inspired by his promise to work to resolve racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Under Melissa’s leadership, Sheriff Tompkins won with over 84% of the vote and activated many first-time minority voters. Following her success on the Sheriff’s campaign, Melissa served as Finance Director and Compliance Officer at MLM Strategies, a DCAMM-certified Women Owned Business. There, she simultaneously provided strategic fundraising and acted as a consultant on over ten campaigns and political committees. Melissa has also interned on Capitol Hill and for the first female president of the Massachusetts State Senate, Therese Murray. 

 

Upon graduation, Melissa will be working as a litigation associate in Boston. She hopes to bring compassion and fortitude to the profession, and to inspire other Latinas to enter the legal field. Strengthened by her experiences and with the guidance of mentors committed to empowering women and Latinx attorneys, she will always advocate for the Latino community. 

 

In addition to these pursuits. Melissa serves on the board of Eastie’s Elves, a local non-profit which collects thousands of toys to distribute to East Boston families around Christmas. Melissa has also worked on pro-bono juvenile immigration cases and in the legal department of State Street Corporation during a summer internship. 

 

Melissa credits her family, co-workers, and fearless mentors for investing in her, providing her with invaluable opportunities and instilling in her the values of humility, resilience, and passion.