Adante D. Pointer

Adante Pointer is a second year law student at Hastings, and the first in his family to attend graduate school.

Adante is a graduate of Berkeley and a member of the Golden Key National Honors Society. Adante is a native of West Oakland, who grew up witnessing the decimation of his community through drugs, violence, economic oppression and institutional racism, yet has transformed his anger and despair into the fuel for his passion for social justice.

Interning with Congressman Ron Dellums and now Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Adante has worked to implement public policy to address the issues plaguing our community.

Adante is an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and has participated in youth mentoring and tutoring programs, not only helping students attain their educational goals, but also teaching them how to maintain a positive outlook on life.

Adante wants to put the skills and insights he has gained from his experiences and background to work as a lawyer in the field of affordable housing and economic development.

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Natasha Ralston is a first year law student at Davis and is the first person in her family to attend college. Despite having to raise her two younger brothers while only barely out of childhood herself, Natasha persevered. Not only did Natasha manage to stay in school, but she graduated from San Francisco State University with a 3.41 grade point average.

Natasha has been an active participant in several community organizations, and has particularly focused her efforts on tutoring and mentoring underprivileged students in West Oakland, Richmond and Sacramento.

Natasha has used her own struggles to demonstrate to younger students that it is possible for someone who has faced the same hurdles they have to follow their dreams and be successful.

Natasha is a member of the Black Law Students Association and Diversity Outreach, and was recently elected Law Students Association Class Representative.

Natasha is committed to pursuing a career as an advocate for children, and her long-term goal is to become a juvenile court judge where she can help children re-route the paths of their lives toward positive accomplishments.

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Kristina Hector is a second year law student at Hastings, and a first generation college graduate who had to learn for herself the value of education. After several false starts, Kristina focused her energies and completed an A.A. degree at Merritt College, graduating on the Dean's List with a 3.5 grade point average.

Kristina then went on to Berkeley, where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

Understanding the obstacles confronting many minority and poor students seeking to improve their education, Kristina speaks to Merritt and Berkeley students to let them know that the challenges confronting them can be overcome. In recognition of the difference Kristina has made in the lives of those students, she was invited to be the commencement speaker for the 2001 Merritt College graduation ceremony.

Kristina is the co-founder and editor of the Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal and will be a Legal Assistant this summer in the Alameda County District Attorney's Summer Clerkship Program.

After graduation, Kristina hopes to become a prosecutor to use her background and personal experiences to better serve the interests of justice in our community.

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