Hispanic National Bar Association President Announces General Counsel and National Advisors

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is honored to announce the appointment of General Counsel and other leadership by Benny Agosto, Jr., HNBA President. As he takes the helm of the HNBA, Mr. Agosto has appointed Pedro Torres-Diaz, Partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, as HNBA General Counsel.  "I'm very pleased to announce Pedro Torres-Diaz as HNBA General Counsel for my term as President. Through my collaboration with Pedro for several years on the HNBA Board of Governors I have been privy to his exceptional talent as an attorney, his commitment to service, and his camaraderie. He is an important asset to the HNBA and I am proud to have him as a key member of my team."  

Mr. Torres-Diaz was previously Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the HNBA, as well as the voting representative on the HNBA Board for the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he was a Partner in the Labor and Employment Law Department of a leading law firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is a frequent and featured speaker on Labor and Employment issues.

Mr. Torres-Diaz stated, "I am honored and humbled by this appointment. I admire President Agosto, not only as a leader, but also as a dear friend.  I am excited about the opportunity to contribute in any way I can to the success of his presidency and the Association.  My goal as General Counsel is to help take this organization to even higher levels of professionalism, achievement, and success, both for our members and for the community we serve."

Mr. Agosto has also appointed several Deputy General Counsel: Leonardo ("Lenny") Castro, Niza Motola, Jennifer Trusso, and Rafael Zahraldin. The Deputy General Counsel will assist the General Counsel and the HNBA President with specific issues within the GC's purview. In addition, Benny Agosto, Jr. has completed appointments to other posts of advisors that will assist in developing and executing HNBA programs and initiatives throughout the year.  

"These positions are also essential to the work of the HNBA and to a successful year," said Mr. Agosto. "I have appointed a series of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and initiative to guide specific areas. These HNBA members have demonstrated a long-time commitment to the organization and made invaluable contributions already. I am very pleased to be able to count on their support this year."

The senior advisor appointments are as follows: Claudine Martinez, White House Liaison and National Policy Director; Robert Raben, Chair, Judicial Endorsements Committee; Christina Sarchio, Chair, Executive Endorsements Committee; Omar Vargas, Legislative Day Co-Chair; and the Honorable Celeste Villarreal, Legislative Day Co-Chair. Other advisors who will assist the HNBA in a volunteer capacity are: Krista Krahn, Director of Information Technology and Communications; Larry Pedrosa, Director of Marketing; Fe Lopez, Director of Continuing Legal Education; and Dan Cratty, Special Advisor to the President.  

The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, non-partisan, national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 100,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, legal professionals, and law students of Hispanic descent in the United States and its territories.  For more information about the HNBA, please visit www.hnba.com.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association