The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) has been at the forefront of recent immigration reform efforts in New Jersey and is pleased to renew its call for comprehensive immigration reform following the implementation of a key recommendation of Governor Jon Corzine’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy (the “Panel”).
On January 12, 2010, Governor Corzine signed an Executive Order establishing the Commission on New Americans (the “Commission”). The Commission will oversee interdepartmental collaboration regarding immigrant integration policies in the State of New Jersey. Some of the responsibilities of the Commission will include advising the Governor on how best to achieve immigrant integration in the delivery of government services, developing a strategy for the implementation of those recommendations and creating a resource guide to support the approximately 1.8 million immigrants seeking to use government resources. Equally important, the Commission’s mandate will include monitoring the implementation of recommendations made by the Panel. Juan Cartagena, Esq., the HBA-NJ’s contributions to the Panel’s work included advocating for reform in the areas of law enforcement and court policies affecting immigrant communities in the state. Frank Argote-Freyre of Freehold will serve as the Commission’s Chair and the HBA-NJ looks forward to working with him.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, HBA-NJ President, applauded the announcement saying, “the establishment of the Commission is a good first step towards achieving the comprehensive immigration reform recommended by the Panel. Still, more remains to be done, especially with regard to the nineteen other recommendations of the Panel that have not been implemented. The HBA-NJ stands ready to assist the Commission to implement its mandate.” Mr. Pozo also emphasized the HBA-NJ’s commitment to immigration reform advocacy by saying that, “the HBA-NJ looks forward to working with the incoming administration and Governor Elect Christopher Christie, and to discussing the goals of the new Governor on this issue.”
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, founded in 1980, is a 501(c)(6) statewide organization that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the organization is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, with other legal organizations and with other Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.
For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.njhba.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Nuris E. Portuondo, Esq., Press Secretary at NPortuondo@ssecz.com or (973)301-001 ext. 207 and Miguel Pozo, Esq., President at mpozo@lowenstein.com or (973) 597-6212.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) congratulates our friend and fellow board member, Michael J. Plata, Esq., on his achievement as the first Hispanic lawyer elected to partner at the LeClairRyan law firm, effective January 1, 2010.
Mr. Plata works in the Firm’s Litigation Group and focuses his practice on environmental, hazardous waste, complex commercial and employment litigation.
Prior to joining LeClairRyan, Mr. Plata served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable John E. Wallace, Jr., Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New Jersey.He was also a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Ariel A. Rodriguez, Judge, Appellate Division, Superior Court of New Jersey.
Mr. Plata obtained his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 2002 and his B.S. in Political Science, with honors, and Criminology, magna cum laude, from Florida State University in 1998.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, HBA-NJ President, applauded Michael’s achievement saying, “Michael is smart and a talented lawyer.We also consider him a valuable asset to the HBA-NJ team.He is thoughtful, engaged, and an outspoken leader.We and LeClairRyan are fortunate to have him.”
LeClairRyan, a firm founded in 1988, has 21 offices across the country and over 300 attorneys firmwide.It is an entrepreneurial law firm that provides business counsel and client representation in matters of corporate law and high-stakes litigation.Mr. Plata is based in LeClairRyan’s New Jersey office, which is located at One Riverfront Plaza, 1037 Raymond Boulevard, in Newark.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, founded in 1980, is a 501 (c)(6) statewide Association that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest (i) by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, (ii) by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and (iii) by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, with other legal organizations and with other Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.
For press inquiries, please contact Nuris E. Portuondo, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at NPortuondo@ssecz.com or (973) 301-0001 ext. 207. For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and/or upcoming events, please visit our website at www.njhba.org or contact Miguel Alexander Pozo, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at mpozo@lowenstein.com or (973) 597-6212.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, congratulates the Young Lawyers Division (”YLD”) of the HBA-NJ in its community outreach and philanthropic efforts.
The YLD of the HBA-NJ recently hosted a cocktail party and charity fundraiser at Lua Restaurant & Lounge in Hoboken. The event drew a large crowd and served as a fundraiser for the Community Food Bankm of New Jersey. Each attendee was asked to bring a new unwrapped toy and canned goods for donation. The response was very positive demonstrating the spirit of giving in this holiday season. Julia Lopez, Co-Chair for the YLD committee, echoed the sentiments of all present when she stated, “helping others is so much a part of the holiday spirit and organizing these charitable events has really become of one of the focal goals of the YLD.” The HBA-NJ also wishes to thank and acknowledge the corporate sponsors that made the event possible, which included State Farm, Veritext, Transperfect and Lowenstein Sandler.
On December 19, 2009, representatives of the YLD of the HBA-NJ delivered the donated items and also volunteered at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. They assisted as warehouse volunteers, helped in the thrift shop, and assembled fundraising mailings. When asked about the community service, Melinda Colon, Co-Chair for the YLD, said: “It’s great to see YLD members get into the spirit of the holidays by giving back to the local community. It’s what the YLD and HBA-NJ are all about.”
Mr. Pozo stated that “the dedication of these young individuals is a testament to the legacy of the legal profession, which at its core, represents service and giving.” Congratulations to the YLD of the HBA-NJ on this fantastic achievement.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, founded in 1980, is a 501(c)(6) statewide organization that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the organization is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, with other legal organizations and with other Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.
For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.njhba.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Nuris E. Portuondo, Esq., Press Secretary at NPortuondo@ssecz.com or (973)301-001 ext. 207 and Miguel Pozo, Esq., President at mpozo@lowenstein.com or (973) 597-6212.
After a lengthy search and rigorous interview process, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey is proud to announce that it has selected its first Executive Director, Maritza F. Bolano, Esq.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, President of the HBA-NJ, is delighted with the selection and summarized the sentiment of the entire Board of Trustees of the HBA-NJ in stating that “the addition of an Executive Director to our team promises to provide continuity and greater visibility to the HBA-NJ. Maritza is smart, seasoned, and committed to our objectives. We are excited about bringing her onto the team and about the contributions that she will make.”
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey congratulates the Honorable Esther Salas, U.S.M.J. for being recognized by Hispanic Business Magazine among the Top 100 Influentials.
Judge Salas made history in November of 2006 when she was sworn in as the first Hispanic to serve as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey. Not only is Judge Salas an extremely qualified and respected jurist, but she also brings a wealth of experience as a former public defender and litigator. She began her professional career at the law firm of Garces & Grabler where she handled criminal defense, appellate, matrimonial, immigration and workers’ compensation matters. A few years later, Judge Salas became an Assistant Federal Public Defender where she represented indigent clients for nine years. Most notably, in her capacity as public defender, she argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in United States v. Cruz. She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence and integrity.
Judge Salas’s commitment to the legal community is also unparalleled. For the past decade, she has graced the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey with her active involvement and leadership. Since serving as President during the 2001-2002 term, she has continued to lend her steadfast support to the organization by being a frequent speaker and panelist. Judge Salas has also served on the Governor’s Hispanic Advisory Council for Policy Development, the Supreme Court Committees on Minority Concerns and Women in the Court, and she is a former president of the Hispanic Bar Foundation of New Jersey.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey applauds the Hispanic Business Magazine for recognizing Judge Salas in the October issue. This distinction is well-deserved.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey is a 501 (c)(6) statewide organization, which represents the interests of attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in resolving the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other Hispanic bar organizations, with other legal organizations and with other Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.
For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.njhba.org. For press inquiries, please contact Julia A. López, Esq., Press Secretary of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey at jlopez@wilentz.com or (732) 855-6061.
As a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, you can become a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association for just an additional $20 a year! Take advantage of this special arrangement today!
:
Wells Fargo is a Proud Diamond Level Sponsor of the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association. Learn More »
Lowenstein Sandler is a Proud Diamond Level Sponsor of the Hispanic Bar Association. Learn More »
