Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania

Message from President

September 10, 2008

Dear Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Friends:

Bienvenidos

Welcome

The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBA) is a professional organization committed to the social, economic, professional, and educational advancement of Latino/Hispanic attorneys, law students, and the general community. To that end, we work collaboratively with other specialty, county, state, and national bar associations to promote the administration of justice and the social, professional, and educational advancement of Latinos. We also work closely with various community organizations in order to address critical issues facing our community. Our organization was established in 1983.

This year, we continue to emphasize the importance of adequate educational opportunities for Latino youth, as well as strengthening our community involvement.   We also increased outreach into area law schools, to provide support to Latino law students and ensure their educational and professional success.

To that end, our board officially called upon every area law school to designate a Latino/a student representative to our board, whom will have the opportunity to attend and participate in all HBA meetings. The response has been extremely positive, and now we count with greater law student participation.

In 2001, the HBA established the Annual “La Justicia Award” in order to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the advancement of the Latino community and who exemplify those qualities of the human spirit to which we all should aspire. Previous “La Justicia Award” recipients include the Honorable Nelson Diaz, Honorable Teresa Sarmina, Anita Santos, Alba Martinez, Pat De Carlo, and Professor Fernando Chang-Muy.

This year, we proudly held our Seventh Annual La Justicia Award ceremony and reception at the prestigious Pyramid Club, thanks to our host Rudy Garcia and the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C. Our La Justicia Award planning committee leadership included Carlos Montoya and Diana Cortes.

This year’s La Justicia Award was presented to Andi Perez, Executive Director of Youth United for Change. Andi has been the Executive Director of Youth United for Change since 2004. She exemplifies great commitment to empowering young people in order to bring about change in different institutions that affect their communities.

Youth United for Change is a community based organization; its mission is to organize and empower young people to identify key issues within their schools and communities, and develop strategies in order to address them. Andi makes sure that students are placed at the forefront of all activities. Students also have input in all stages of devising organizing strategies. The HBA was a proud sponsoring organization of Youth United for Change 15 year Celebration, on May 22, 2008.

La Justicia Award ceremony and reception marked the official induction of our 2008 board of directors. Secretary of State Pedro Cortes also presented the HBA with a proclamation.

Our most important work this year has been our community involvement and participation in programs such as the Drop-Out Summit and various community services.

On March 14, 2008, we sponsored a community service with PECO and Senior Law Center, during which over one-hundred Latino seniors completed documents setting forth end of life directives. We also co-sponsored a Citizenship Day with HIAS and Migration Council on April 19, 2008, and Juror Appreciation Day with Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

The HBA has also developed collaborative relationships with other specialty bar organizations, in order to ensure the promotion of justice and educational opportunities for all minority communities. We have sponsored various events and continue to work together in addressing issues of concern across all minority communities. All the area specialty bar associations will hold a Candidate’s Forum on October 29, 2008, at Pepper Hamilton.

We actively participate in various committees of the Philadelphia Bar Association such as the Young Lawyers Division, Delivery of Legal Services, and the Public Interest section. We will also have an appointment to the Board of Governors next year. The HBA also has a strong presence in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, through our participation in programs such as the Annual Minority Lawyer Conference, Annual Diversity Summit, and the Conference of County Bar Leaders.

On a national level, we work closely with the National Hispanic Bar Association and co-sponsored the American Bar Association, National Conference for the Minority Lawyer in Sillicon Valley, California.

The Legal Intelligencer will also highlight the HBA through its program “Generation Next” which will be published soon.   We concluded our summer with a celebration hosted at the home of Angel Ortiz and Lydia Hernandez Velez, long time supporters of the HBA.

I would like to thank the HBA family for allowing me the opportunity to serve you; this is a truly unique and special organization.

Regards,

Teresa Rodriguez, Esq.

HBA President, 2008

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Previous 2006 Message:

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