Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania

History

By: Pedro J. Rivera, former HBA President

The Hispanic Bar Association (HBA) of Pennsylvania is a prime example of America’s “melting pot” of cultures and people. With members of diverse cultures and backgrounds, some Cuban and Puerto Rican, others Dominican and Mexican, and still others of Spanish and South American descent, the HBA’s history, while relatively short, has been lively and unique.

Before the HBA’s creation, Latino lawyers came to Pennsylvania to attend law school and practice law. One of the first Latinos admitted to the bar was Juan Silva, admitted in 1965. He, along with Silvio Sanabria admitted in 1969, served as mentors to rising Latino lawyers who, at that time, had no outlet for voicing concerns of the Hispanic community in Pennsylvania. Silvio Sanabria served as president of the Cuban Bar Association before coming to Pennsylvania.

The HBA originated in the mid-1970s when the Philadelphia Bar Association recognized the growth of the Spanish-speaking community, and its need for quality legal services. The Honorable Nelson A. Diaz, the first Puerto Rican admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, former Philadelphia City Solicitor, former judge and partner at Blank Rome Comisky and McCauley, was appointed to chair this committee. Through this committee, Diaz promoted Hispanic civil rights issues such as ensuring the availability of translators in the Pennsylvania courts. Diaz also recruited former classmates and friends, including Mari Carmen Aponte, who was the first Puerto Rican woman admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, and who currently serves as Executive Director to the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in Washington, D.C. Diaz then looked to others such as Jose Lopez, now serving in the Veteran’s Administration in Washington, D.C., Rudy Arzon, Nazario Jimenez, and Miguel Leon and others outside the Delaware Valley to join him on this initial committee.

The original membership totaled no more than 15, and held its meetings in a room at Montgomery McCracken, the firm of Gilbert Casellas, the first Latino chairman of the Board of Governors. In 1983, this group decided to formalize the organization. They drafted and passed the first by-laws that same year, establishing the HBA of Pennsylvania.

The greatest challenge the HBA faced was recruiting and increasing membership. With the HBA’s mission of promoting the administration of justice and the social, economic, professional and educational advancement of Hispanics, the HBA’s efforts to address these goals were underway. Rafael Porrata-Doria, currently a professor at Temple University Beasley School of Law, served as the first president of the HBA. Membership remained low in the early 1980s as there were few Latino lawyers in Pennsylvania. Legend has it that the members waded through legal directories to identify and contact Hispanic attorneys in their recruitment efforts. Eventually, their efforts paid off and soon the HBA earned a seat on the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention.

The HBA was determined to expand and promote educational advancements for Hispanics. On March 4, 1988, the HBA’s Legal Education Fund (HBALEF) was established, under the aegis of Juan Laureda, the organization’s third president. The HBALEF raises money for scholarships and awards for law students throughout the Delaware Valley. The HBA hopes these funds will attract more Latino lawyers to practice in Pennsylvania. The Honorable Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, the first Latina in the Court of Common Pleas, and one of the original HBA board members, presided over the HBALEF, diligently seeing it through its first four years of existence. Now, students and members of the legal community throughout the Delaware Valley look forward to the annual awards banquet and the chance to win these scholarships.

The HBA takes pride in its many notable members, including Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pedro A. Cortes, former Philadelphia School Board President and current Philadelphia City Solicitor Pedro A. Ramos, former Philadelphia City Councilman Angel L. Ortiz, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Judge Eduardo C. Robreño, Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina, former Philadelphia City Solicitor, Kenneth I. Trujillo, and Philadelphia Department of Human Services Commissioner Alba Martinez. Many of these distinguished members are the first Hispanics to hold their respective positions.

The HBA is well on its way to accomplishing many more great feats. The organization was pleased to host the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 26th Annual Convention in October of 2001. The HBA not only addresses the Hispanic community’s concerns through sponsorship of legal education courses, but also joins forces with other minority bars to ensure their mission of education and promotion of justice is attained throughout all minority communities.

The HBA has participated in the International Human Rights Committee, and the Minorities in the Profession Committee, as well as the Governor’s Judicial Reform Commission. While the HBA has had a lively history, the future will provide more exciting and innovative ways for it to continue promoting its goals.