About Mirna

Mirna Martinez Santiago has more than 25 years of legal experience and lectures on an array of topics – with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of bias – and has published on legal and non-legal subjects. 

In addition to being a lecturer, facilitator, trainer, and presenter, Mirna conducts independent investigations of EEO and discrimination claims. 

Mirna created the Girls Rule the Law program and conference to introduce underprivileged and underrepresented middle and high school girls to the law, legislature and judiciary. Mirna has been featured in Latina Magazine and NBC News, speaking about the Afro-Latina experience.

State Courts of New York; U.S. District Court for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York.

New York University, B.A., 1992; the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Law, J.D.,1995; Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Certificate in Magazine and Book Publishing, 2001

2021 to Present: Director, Board, Defense Association of New York

2020 to Present: Director, Board, New York Bar Foundation

2019 - Present:  Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, New York State Bar Assoc.

2017 – Present: Delegate, 2nd Department, New York State Bar Assoc. House of Delegates   

2015 – 2016: Chair: NYSBA Torts, Insurance, and Compensation Law Section  

2014 – 2016: Defense Association of New York Diversity Initiative, Planning Committee   2012: New York State Bar Association: Torts, Insurance & Compensation Law Section Award for Outstanding Chair (Diversity)   2010: New York State Bar Association: Sheldon  Hurtwitz  Young Lawyer Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Practice of Law in the Field of Insurance

Spanish (fluently spoken and written)

Garifuna (fluently spoken)