Cristal Lambert is an assistant general counsel at Lawrence Township-based ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization known for its groundbreaking research, learning solutions and trusted assessments.
She oversees domestic and global transactional activities such as acquisitions, member substitutions, asset purchase agreements and related commercial transactions. And she also serves as general counsel on the Institutional Review Board and as a legal advisor on digital accessibility.
She is a rising star. And a rising star eager to help others follow a similar path.
In a profession with a limited number of Hispanics, she is proud to be a first-generation Dominican American attorney and a graduate of Seton Hall Law. There, she served as president of the school’s Latin American Law Students Association (or LALSA). She currently is the president-elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.
It’s why she recently found her way back to Seton Hall, to witness the graduation of the nine LASLA members as the participated in a special, “𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢ó𝐧 𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐚í𝐜𝐞𝐬” – or ‘Celebration of Roots’ ceremony.
The emotionally charged event not only honors the achievements of LALSA’s law school graduates, but their families — and the rich traditions that make Latine culture so vibrant and unique, Lambert said.
“During the ceremony, each graduate receives their stole and cords from a family member at the podium who then has the opportunity to share remarks in English, Spanish — or both — regarding their graduate,” she said.
“As a proud Seton Hall Law graduate and LALSA president, my heart was full as I watched each family highlight their 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒐 (pride) for their loved one while speaking on the intellect, resilience and perseverance that marked their student’s law school journey.”
The journey is one that can have great impact not only on the graduates and the families, but also the state. Simply put, New Jersey – perhaps the most diverse state in the country — needs more diversity among its attorneys.
Lambert acknowledged the significance.
“Most, if not all, of this year’s graduates are first-generation Americans and law school graduates, making this milestone even more impactful as the students’ law degrees marked advancements for both themselves and their families’ futures,” she said.
Lambert, who served as one of the keynote speakers, said she was humbled and honored by the opportunity.
“It was a special honor to join the ceremony as a speaker since their stories resonate so deeply with me,” she said. “It was also a privilege to speak in the same program alongside 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞-𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳, the first undocumented female attorney in New Jersey, whose life story and trajectory is an inspiration to all.
Lambert offered thanks to her fellow mentors from the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, including Region 7 Trustee, Margo Chaly.
With that, a look at the graduates and their future plans:
- Alejandra Aguirre – Post-Grad Plan: Corporate Associate at Lowenstein Sandler.
- Kasandra Amalia Mojica – Post-Grad Plan: Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard Wischusen, J.S.C., in the Union Vicinage, where she looks forward to further developing her knowledge of criminal law.
- Santiago Guevara – Post-Grad Plan: Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Handwerker in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Division.
- Stephanie Guzman – Post-Grad Plan: Allstate Insurance Company as an Insurance Defense Attorney for their Client Litigation Services Department.
- Esther Larios – Post-Grad Plan:Joining Decher in the fall as a Transactional Associate.
- Omar Serrano – Post-Grad Plan: Upon graduation, will serve as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Judge Lisa Perez Friscia, New Jersey Appellate Division, for the 2025-2026 term. Upon completion of the clerkship, he will join Jackson Lewis in New Jersey as an Associate.
- Nicol Vargas – Post-Grad Plan: Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Esteves in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Division. Judge Esteves is the first female Portuguese judge to be appointed to the Superior Court of New Jersey.
- Melissa Velasco – Post-Grad Plan: Judicial Law Clerk.
- Carla Zurita – Post-Grad Plan: Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Raquel Vallejo, New Jersey Superior Court, Family Division.
