Dear HBA-DC Members and Friends,
Welcome to the HBA-DC website and to our 36th
year! During 2013, we will build on the
great achievements of both the HBA-DC and the Latino community nationwide
during 2012 and strengthen our Association as we prepare to host the Hispanic
National Bar Association (HNBA) Convention in 2014.
The Latino community is the largest minority in the Nation
with over 16% of the population, but still incredibly underrepresented in the
legal profession, as partners and associates in large law firms, in the Federal
Government, and in corporate boardrooms.
Education continues to be the most hopeful equalizer and the main ticket
to success in the United States. This
reality has influenced my top four priorities as President of HBA-DC in 2013.
First, the HBA-DC will continue the work of our Task Force
on Advancing Latino Attorneys. The
unfortunate underrepresentation of Latinos and Latinas in the legal profession,
particularly in large law firms and the Federal Government, persists. Consequently, the HBA-DC will continue its forward-looking
approach in addressing this critical issue.
Second, almost all of the DC-area law schools lag dramatically
behind in Latino enrollment. The HBA-DC
will engage with the Deans of the seven area law schools to assist in taking
affirmative steps to correct this deficiency.
Third, the HBA-DC will provide a variety of top-notch
professional development programs and activities for all of our members to
continue developing their legal, business and other professional skills to
succeed in today’s global marketplace.
Finally, as an association committed to the rule of law and to
civil rights, the HBA-DC will support the prompt adoption of comprehensive
immigration reform this year in order to ensure a fair and effective immigration
system.
Our Association is on stronger financial footing than at any
point in our history and the Latino community just showed its political power
in the November 2012 presidential election.
We continue our strong tradition of providing quality professional
development, networking, and mentoring opportunities. I invite each of you to get involved at the committee
level and to take advantage of the member benefits provided by your Hispanic
Bar Association of the District of Columbia.
Saludos cordiales,
Jaime Areizaga-Soto
February 2013
