The Hispanic National Bar Association Mourns the Loss of Uvaldo Herrera

Uvaldo Herrera

A gentle giant.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The HNBA family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of The Honorable Uvaldo Herrera.  Uvaldo was born in Pinos Altos, an isolated village in the desert of Durango, Mexico. He came to the United States when he was 11 years old and spoke only Spanish. He later mastered not only the English language, but became a lawyer and leader in the legal profession and had positive and indelible impact on the lives of many law students, lawyers, and on the development of U.S. law. After growing up in the Chicago area, Uvaldo graduated from University of Illinois and the DePaul University College of Law.

In 1998 he joined the corporate legal department of State Farm Insurance Company, where he served in a variety of positions. Uvaldo gave of his time and talents throughout his life. Among other things, he served as a member of the School Board for District 87 in Arizona, and a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of McLean County, the Western Avenue Community Center, the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Uvaldo served with distinction on the Board of Governors of the Hispanic National Bar Association for over a decade. He was elected HNBA Vice President of Programs and served as the HNBA's General Counsel. Four years ago, in recognition of his leadership, dedication, and service to law students and the law, the Hispanic National Bar Association named its celebrated national moot court competition, the Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition. The Hon. Jimmie V. Reyna, an HNBA Past President and current Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, noted, "With Uvaldo's passing, we who had the privilege of working with him have lost a dear friend, the legal profession has lost a great leader, and America has lost a contributor who's positive influence will endure beyond generations to come."

Visitation will be this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, IL. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday also at St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. James E. Reents officiating. Burial will be in Funks Grove Cemetery, McLean.  Memorials may be made to District 87 Promise Council or Illinois Cancer Care Foundation.

Uvaldo was well known and will be remembered for his clever wit, temperance, gentle demeanor and powerful inner strength. He is survived by his wife Tasha, their daughter, and his two sons. 

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association