Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania

Message from President

December 1, 2006

Dear HBA Friends,

The HBA's mission is to promote the administration of justice and the social, economic, professional and educational advancement of Hispanics. To that end, as president of the HBA, I believe that it is imperative that we support Hispanics in every stage of development by: reaching out to the under-represented community, providing role models, providing economic support, recognizing achievements, and providing assistant with career development and retention.

First, the HBA, in conjunction with the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association, began reaching out to the Hispanic community through a program called the People's Law School In Espanol. This School is designed to inform the under-represented community of their rights and provides references to take action. HBA members teach classes in Spanish on legal topics which are most relevant to this demographic: Immigration, Personal Injury, Employment, Worker's Compensation, etc. The purpose behind these classes being two-fold: educate and empower members of the community while simultaneously providing role models and proof that they or their children can too become professionals. To further reach out to the communities, the HBA, along with the Philadelphia Bar Association, hosts Legal Lines In Espanol. This program is a legal service where Spanish speaking individuals can call the Bar Association telephone hotline and receive free advice, in their native tongue, about a myriad of issues.

Second, Hispanic children and young adults have one of the highest drop-out rates in school. Because education is the vital stepping stone to advancement, the HBA is determined to assist in developing our youth. In 1988, the HBA's Legal Education Fund (HBALEF) was established. The HBALEF raises money for scholarships and awards for law students throughout the Delaware Valley. The HBA hopes these funds will not only promote the success of Hispanic students but also attract more Hispanic lawyers to practice in Pennsylvania. Over the years, the HBALEF has managed to provide thousands of dollars in scholarship money to over a hundred well deserving recipients. In fact, the HBALEF held its Eighteenth Annual Scholarship Banquet this year on October 12, 2006 and awarded seven more scholarships to well deserving students representing five different law schools. This year, the HBA is proud to say that the HBALEF raised the most money ever, approximately $62,000.00; a significant portion of which will be used exclusively for future scholarships.

Moving along our stages of development, it is important for the Hispanic legal community to have leaders and pioneers in areas once thought impossible to reach. So, the HBA for the past five years has recognized prominent members in the Hispanic community at its yearly kick-off event, La Justicia Award. These events are always well attended by prominent members of the community and serve as a yearly reminder that doors are continuing to open.

Finally, the HBA hosts many social events which are attended by successful members of the Hispanic community. These events serve as places for young attorneys to come and learn what others have done to succeed. Through example and with helpful advice through an established network, we hope the retention of Hispanic attorneys will continue to improve as our network strengthens.

            In the coming years, it is estimated that Hispanics will become the biggest minority population in the country. As such, Hispanics will need individuals involved with the legal and political system to assure that their voice is heard at all levels of this country's leadership. It is our hope that our comprehensive plan of promoting Hispanics will facilitate this process and one day make it a reality.

Sincerely,

Jefferie Garcia, Esq.
HBA President, 2006

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October 28, 2005

Dear HBA Friends,

As you may know, my tenure as President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBA) officially began on January 27, 2005, at the "La Jusitica" event. Since that time, the organization has flourished in many aspects because of the hard work and dedication of the members and leadership of the HBA. On behalf of the Officers and Board of the HBA, I am proud to report the progress of the organization during past ten months:

. On Thursday, January 27, 2005, Alba E. Martinez, the President and CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania , was presented the HBA's Fourth Annual La Justicia Award in recognition of her continuing commitment and service to the Latino community.

. On Thursday, January 27, 2005, HBA Treasurer Romulo L. Diaz, Jr. was appointed the City Solicitor of Philadelphia and longtime HBA Member Pedro Ramos was appointed the Managing Director of the City of Philadelphia .

. On Thursday, February 17, 2005, the HBA participated in the Legal Recruitment Administrators of Philadelphia 1L Diversity Reception . Past President Rich Negrin was a panel speaker at the event.

. On Monday, February 28, 2005, the HBA participated in the Philadelphia Bar Association's Minorities in the Profession Committee meeting. President Tom Warnock and Board Member Robert Nix were speakers at the event.

. On Friday, March 18 2005, HBA Treasurer Romulo L. Diaz, Jr., Board Member and past President Pedro Rivera, and Board Member Henri Marcial were appointed to the Pennsylvania Bar Association's House of Delegates .

. On Saturday, March 19, 2005, the HBA participated in the University of Pennsylvania Latin American Law Students Association 's La Gran Fiesta on the topic of Latinos in the Judiciary.

. In April of 2005, HBA President Tom Warnock and Hispanic Bar Association Legal Education Fund (HBALEF) President Milton Velez appeared on ABC's Puerto Rican

. Panorama with Diego Castellano to discuss the HBA and HBALEF and resources available to the community. The show aired throughout May 2005.

. On Thursday, April 28, 2005, the HBA participated in the Pennsylvania Bar Association's 2005 Minority Attorney Conference .

. On Tuesday, May 3, 2005, the HBA participated as one of the civic partners in the 2005 Juror Appreciation Day at the Criminal Justice Center .

. On Tuesday, May 10 2005, the HBA Brochure was printed.

. On Thursday, May 12, 2005, our sister organization, the HBALEF held its annual Scholarship Banquet honoring Pedro Ramos and awarding several scholarships to local area law students.

. On Tuesday, May 24, 2005, the Legal Intelligencer published an article featuring the HBA accomplishments and goals for 2005.

. In June of 2005, the HBA was added to the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians website as a resource for immigrants in Pennsylvania .

. On Friday, July 8, 2005, HBA President Tom Warnock directed a mass mailing to over 425 attorneys in Pennsylvania encouraging them to join and participate in the HBA. This resulted in an unprecedented increase in membership in the HBA .

. On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, the HBA participated in "Pathways to the Bench" presented by the Hispanic Bar Association of NJ and the Hispanic National Bar Association.

. From July 16-19, 2005, the HBA participated in the 25 th Annual National Council of La Raza Conference and Home Ownership Fair held in Philadelphia . The HBA helped to sponsor the event by purchasing booth space, which was staffed by many HBA members who answered questions about the organization and other resources to the Hispanic Community in Pennsylvania .

. On Saturday, July 23, 2005, the HBA held its A nnual Summer Picnic at the home of longtime Members Angel Ortiz and Lydia Hernandez Velez.

. On Monday, July 25, 2005, the HBA participated in Congreso's Annual Golf Tournament . The HBA foursome consisted of President Tom Warnock, Board Members Pedro Rivera and longtime Members Carmen and Jorge Matos.

. On Friday, July 29, 2005, the HBA participated in " WorkReady Philadelphia's Employer Paid Internship Program " training seminar. Past President Arlene Finkelstien Rivera was a speaker at the event.

. On Monday, August 22, 2005, the Legal Intelligencer announced that five HBA members were selected as Lawyers on the Fast Track . President Tom Warnock, Board Member Pedro Rivera, Secretary Jenimae Almquist, and Members Daniel Anders and Damon Roberts were among the 35 Pennsylvania Attorneys selected.

. On Saturday, September 17, 2005, HBA members participated in the Hispanic Awareness Committee's 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Pennsauken , NJ .

. On Sunday, September 18, 2005, HBA members participated in and staffed a table at La Feria del Barrio . The HBA's presence at this event was organized by Board Members Henri Marcial and Robert Nix.

. On Sunday, September 25, 2005, HBA members participated in the 43rd Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade .

. From September 27-28, 2005, the HBA participated the Senate Hispanic Leadership Summit in Washington , D.C. Board Member Robert Nix was one of the attendees at the event.

. On Thursday, September 29, 2005, HBA members taught two courses at The People's Law School en Español , which was organized by Jefferie Garcia in conjunction with the Philadelphia Bar Association and held at Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Theresa Rodriguez provided instruction regarding employment law and SanJuanita Gonzalez provided instruction regarding immigration law.

. On Thursday, October 6, 2005, HBA members taught two courses at The People's Law School en Español , which was organized by Jefferie Garcia in conjunction with the Philadelphia Bar Association and held at Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Jenimae Almquist and Eva Plaza provided instruction regarding personal injury law and Robert Nix provided instruction pertaining to workers' compensation laws.

. On Monday, October 17, 2005, the HBA participated in the Latin American Cultural Exchange Organization presentation at Graterford Correctional Institution. Board Member Henri Marcial and Member Carina Laguzzi were speakers at this event.

. From October 17-19, 2005, HBA members participated in the Hispanic National Bar Associations Conference in Washington D.C. Longtime Member Kenneth I Trujillo received receipt of the prestigious Ohtli Award (Reconocimiento Ohtli) during the convention. The Ohtli -- a Nahuatl word meaning "path" -- is the official award granted by the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, an organization responsible for promoting the ties between Mexico and Mexican citizens abroad.

. On Tuesday, October 25, 2005, the HBA participated in the Saint Thomas More Society of Philadelphia's 54 th Annual Red Mass . President Tom Warnock participated in the procession at the Mass.

. On Wednesday, October 26, 2005, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced his appointment of longtime Member Kenneth I. Trujillo to a five-year term on the Board of the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey .

. On Wednesday October 26, 2005, the HBA hosted a unique fall networking event from entitled Conocer con Poder organized by Arlene Finkelstien Rivera, Jenimae Almquist, Gisselle Guerrero and Moon Roybal. There was an unprecedented turnout of both law students and lawyers at this meet and mingle resulting in many networking opportunities. A great time was had by all.

In addition to the above, the HBA made the following year long commitments: every third Wednesday of every month in 2005, under the direction of Milton Velez, HBA members staffed Legal Line En Español from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. providing legal advice to callers in Spanish; Tom Warnock sat as the HBA Liason to the Philadelphia Bar Association's Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention ; Jefferie Garcia sat as the HBA Liason to the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division ; and Arlene Finkelstien Rivera sat as the HBA Liaison on the Community Legal Services Board and the Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

I urge all members to continue your involvement and participation in the HBA and to encourage your friends and colleagues to join the HBA. Our efforts help maintain the vitality and prominence of this organization.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Warnock, Esq.
HBA President, 2005