Patricia Madrid Joins the Board of Directors of The HNBA Legal Education Fund

WASHINGTON, June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The HNBA Legal Education Fund ("The Fund"), the Hispanic National Bar Association's (HNBA) only nonprofit foundation, announces that former New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid has joined its Board of Directors.    

"The HNBA Legal Education Fund's Board of Directors and I welcome Patricia Madrid to The Fund's Board.  We are so pleased that she has joined us given her commitment to the HNBA's charitable missions and programming that addresses education and the law within the U.S. Hispanic community and the legal profession," said Mr. Roman D. Hernandez, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA).  "Although only created by the HNBA a few months ago, The Fund is off to a great start, and Ms. Madrid's involvement is further proof of that," continued Mr. Hernandez.

Patricia Madrid, who hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has had a highly-distinguished legal career, and is nationally known in both professional and legal circles.  Ms. Madrid was the first woman elected to serve as a district judge in New Mexico, and she was also the first woman elected Attorney General of New Mexico, a position to which she was re-elected by a landslide.   Ms. Madrid stated, "I am excited to be a part of The Fund's Board of Directors and to put my philanthropic experience to work, helping The Fund solicit donations that help support the HNBA's charitable and educational outreach.  I am eager to address the legal pipeline issues and encourage Hispanic youth to become interested in the law and to pursue a legal career."  

Ms. Madrid joins The Fund's initial Board of Directors that is currently comprised of Mr. Roman D. Hernandez (Portland, OR); Mr. Omar A. Vargas (Washington, DC); and Mr. Benny Agosto, Jr. (Houston, TX).  "While The Fund is delighted to have Ms. Madrid on its Board, we are still actively recruiting more individuals who have significant philanthropic fundraising experience, and who are committed to advancing the ideals inherent in The Fund's creation.  We have several more high-profile and committed people like Ms. Madrid in mind," said Mr. Vargas.

Mr. Agosto stated, "We are excited to have someone of Ms. Madrid's professionalism and experience on our Board.  I could not be more pleased with the level of support that The Fund has already experienced in just a few short months.  We will continue with our support of the HNBA's charitable and educational mission."

About The HNBA Legal Education Fund:

The HNBA Legal Education Fund (the "Fund"), incorporated in April 2010, is a not-for-profit, charitable and educational organization dedicated to promoting and facilitating educational programs, exposing underrepresented students and professionals to the benefits and opportunities in the legal profession by providing scholarship and financial support to individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue legal careers, and supporting the charitable and education mission of the Hispanic National Bar Association. The Fund is based in Washington, DC, and is the only foundation affiliated with the Hispanic National Bar Association.  For information about The Fund, please visit its website: www.hnbafund.com.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association