The 2025 Annual Conference, held in the multi-stake center on the Temple Square complex of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico City from March 6 - 8, 2025, was a unique experience for all involved. More than 300 attorneys, law students and friends of the Law Society attended the event, which marked a milestone in the Law Society’s history as the first Annual Conference held outside of the United States. It was also historic in that the majority of the sessions were held in Spanish, with English interpretation available.
Under the direction of J. Samuel Morales, chair of the 2025 Annual Conference, the conference began on Thursday, March 6, with a networking event for attorneys and law students. A fireside followed, where both Samuel Morales, and David Garner, International Chair, welcomed attendees and invited them to remember the conference theme of “UNO”.
During the opening session, his Excellency Rául Gómez González, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toluca, México,
received the most prestigious award presented by the Law Society, the Thomas L. Kane Religious Freedom Award, for his contributions in promoting interfaith cooperation and religious dialogues, particularly with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After accepting the award from Virgilio González Rodriguez, a member of the local conference planning committee, Monseñor Gómez addressed the audience, stating, “we must maintain respect for religious freedom and creeds, which are God’s sublime gifts.” He also stated that, “justice must be brought to those places where it does not have it . . . let us continue to make our way to interreligious unity.”
Elder Hugo Montoya, a General Authority Seventy of the Church, and Area President for the Church in Mexico, as the fireside speaker, shared lessons learned from his parents, including the importance of gratitude and how “happiness does not depend on the circumstances around us but on the attitude we take toward those circumstances.”
Elder Montoya also addressed the phrase, "Unity is strength," which is depicted on the coat of arms for many countries around the world. Elder Montoya noted that “we appreciate cultural diversity and respect individual differences, but when it comes to strengthening families, values, governments, and churches, we realize that the harmonious sum of our differences makes us one, and it is in unity that we can achieve the most.” He concluded his remarks by referencing the parable of the Good Samaritan, stating, “by uniting, each of us doing our best—whether churches, governments, schools, civil organizations like this Society, and above all families—all of us, as children of God united in the same purpose, will find happiness and joy never before experienced.”
Conference attendees began the second day of the conference on Friday, March 7, with various
breakfast meetings, including for members of the Judges Section, Intellectual Property attorneys, law students, and a Women In Law breakfast for all female conference attendees. The morning plenary session included a “State of the Law Society” presentation by Forrest Hansen, Executive Director of the Law Society, during which he shared the accomplishments of the Law Society during the past year, and reminded attendees of the importance of the Law Society’s role in upholding the rule of law in their countries. Law professor Javier Contreras Arreaga, and refugee officer Francisco Rodríguez Vara, then discussed the duty and opportunities available to Law Society members to support refugees in their areas. Break out sessions followed, discussing attorney mobility and navigating the law in Latin America.
During Friday’s lunch, guests heard a presentation by D. Scott Hutchison, Jr., consul in the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, on J. Reuben Clark, Jr., former U.S. ambassador to Mexico and the Law Society’s namesake.
The afternoon plenary session began with the México Veracruz Chapter receiving the Franklin S. Richards Public Service Award, presented by Susannah Thomas, chair of the Service Committee. Accepting the award was Gibrán Alberto Pérez González, Veracruz chapter chair. Carl Hernandez, Vice President of Belonging at Brigham Young University, then spoke about how his grandfather, an immigrant who worked in the fields of California, was the first to teach him the importance of the rule of law and of community. Vice President Hernandez also shared that “members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society can promote the construction of covenant communities by creating confidence and trust in the rule of law and in the principles of constitutionalism and institutions that preserve and advance freedom and liberty.”
Friday afternoon included additional breakout sessions, including on the topics of current
challenges faced by conscientious objectors, pro bono legal service opportunities available through the No More a Stranger (NOMAS) Program, unique aspects of representing religious organizations, and, for attorneys from outside the USA, a presentation on the Master of Law Degree (LLM) from Brigham Young University Law School.
Following dinner on Friday evening, the keynote session included the presentation of the J. Clifford Wallace Award by Judge Todd J. Plewe, Judges Section chair, to Magistrate Manuel Rojas Fonseca of the Sixth Federal Circuit, Mexico. Judge Rojas spoke of the honor it was to serve as a 
federal judge prior to his recent retirement. Conference attendees then heard a passionate presentation by Javier Martín Reyes, a researcher at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), regarding his concerns about recent judicial reforms in Mexico.
Attendees were then treated to an enchanting and energizing performance by a 12-man mariachi band which played several well-loved Mexican songs. While enjoying the music, attendees also sampled a variety of delicious desserts, including cinnamon churros and various Mexican pastries. The evening also included an impromptu Mexican dance performance by two local members of the Law Society which drew loud applause, and an impromptu conga line, with nearly all attendees joining in on the fun. This, too, marked another first for the Annual Conference!
Celebrating International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, the final day of the conference
began with the Women In Law Plenary session, and purple ribbons were distributed to audience members in honor of the commemoration. Angel Zimmerman, a member of the Women In Law Committee, presented the Rebecca Van Uitert International Women in Law Service Award to Tania Parker, a long-standing member of the Law Society and Director of Refugees of the Brazil Area. Via a pre-recorded Acceptance Video, Tania expressed her appreciation for the opportunities to serve in the Law Society and support she has received.
The award acceptance was followed by an informative discussion on the epidemic of domestic violence against women, presented by law professor Rana Lehr-Lehnhardt, and Andrea Martinez Angel, former in-house counsel for Alsea Mexico. With Shasllely García Guillén, Area Chair of the Mexico Area of the Law Society, acting as moderator, the audience was invited to support victims of domestic violence and to take action to address this widespread problem.
Attendees of the conference then gathered outside the Mexico City Temple for a group photo, returning back to the multi-stake center for a final set of breakout sessions addressing the topics of teaching children about human rights, practical tips on performing pro bono service, and
professional networking.
The concluding session of the conference included well-deserved recognition of the Events Committee, and the Annual Conference Planning Committee, including J. Samuel Morales y González, Virgilio González Rodríguez, Javier Contreras Arreaga, Moisés Contreras Soto, Stefany Girón Moreno, Shasllely García Guillén, Armando Huape Tavera, Gibrán Pérez González, and Alejandro Zepeda Nava.
Ginny Isaacson, Area Chair of the North America Northeast Area, and Drew Mann, Chair-Elect of the Washington D.C./Mid-Atlantic Chapter, also shared a promotional video about the 2026 Annual Conference, inviting all conference attendees to participate in next year’s conference, which will be held in D.C. February 26 - 28, 2026. Odacyr Prigol, Area Chair of the Brazil Area, then announced that the 2027 Annual Conference will be held in Brazil, which announcement was received with great
enthusiasm.
The final session concluded with Amy Larsen, Associate Director, inviting attendees to begin taking action to help strengthen and grow the Law Society where they live. David C. Channer, Deputy General Counsel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then addressed the group, discussing the divine mandate given to members of that office. He was followed by David Hancock, Dean Brockbank, and Chris Bauer, Area Legal Counsel representing the Church of Jesus Christ in Peru, Brazil, and Mexico, respectively, who each shared how God has guided their legal efforts personally and miraculously.
Conference attendees then enjoyed a final lunch together, reflecting on the messages shared, invitations to action, and the feeling of unity experienced throughout the conference. The conference was truly unique and inspirational, and a testament to the power of the members of the Law Society as they join together to be a powerful force for good in the world.
