About Mirna
Mirna Martinez Santiago has more than 25 years of legal experience and lectures on an array of topics 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 middle and high school girls to the law, legislature and judiciary. Mirna has been featured in Latina Magazine, NBC News, the Practicing Law Institute, the Grio and other media.
Education
CORNELL UNIVERSITY, School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Employment Law Certification
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor
Recipient of the Robert J. Connelly Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts: English Literature
Recipient of the College of Arts & Sciences Scholarship
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
Certificate in Magazine and Book Publishing
Professional Honors
2025: New York State Bar Association Diversity Trailblazer Award
2025: Marquis Who’s Who in America
2024: Second Judicial District Trailblazer Award for Youth Engagement and Education
2024: Latino Judges Association Hon. Frank Torres Award for Commitment to Diversity
2023: United Nations Council of Women Award
2023: Bronx Borough President Citation of Merit for Advancing Women’s Rights
2020—Present: Director, Board, Defense Association of New York
2020—Present: Appointed to Executive Committee, New York State Bar Association
2020—Present: Director, Board, New York Bar Foundation
2019: One of 14 participants in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Latina Executive Leadership Program
2019—2022: Co-Chair: Diversity and Inclusion Committee, New York State Bar Association
2017—Present: Appointed a Delegate to the New York State Bar Association’s House of Delegates
2015 – 2016: Chair: Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, NYSBA
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 Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Practice of Law in the Field of Insurance
Language Skills
Spanish (fluently spoken and written)
Garifuna (fluently spoken)