The Hispanic National Bar Association to Hold 36th Annual Convention in Dallas

DALLAS, Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is honored to bring together hundreds of lawyers, judges, and students from across the country at the 36th Annual Convention from August 31st through September 3rd, 2011, in Dallas. The Texas Senate and House of Representatives, City of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (DHBA), and convention co-chairs Hon. Teresa Guerra Snelson and Christie M. Villarreal are thrilled to welcome HNBA guests to Texas!

This spectacular event will convene over 45 panels bringing together practitioners and leading experts to discuss the most salient issues and trends in the legal profession, with CLE accreditation in all states. Many of the programs at this convention are one of a kind, such as the Hispanic General Counsel Roundtable Luncheon, a truly elite corporate powerhouse and the first-ever group of this kind to be comprised entirely of Latinos; the HNBA Latina Commission Awards Luncheon, the only bar association specifically geared towards examining the status of Latinas in the legal profession; and the nation's largest Career Fair for Hispanic law students and legal professionals, with opportunities to meet representatives from some of the country's biggest-name law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

In addition to the career fair, law students will have the opportunity to attend workshops on job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. The convention's Youth Symposium gives high school and college students who are considering a career in the law invaluable tools and guidance from successful legal professionals. "With a population that is 40% Latino, Dallas is the perfect setting for an event geared towards bringing together and enhancing the Hispanic legal community," said Diana Sen, HNBA President. "This convention celebrates the high caliber and accomplishments of Hispanic legal professionals, promotes our goal of engaging and fostering the next generation of lawyers, and demonstrates the strength of our community."

Throughout the convention, guests will hear from key national figures including the Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security; the Honorable Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; U.S. Senator from Texas John Cornyn; Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio; Jose Baez, lead attorney of Casey Anthony; and the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna, the first Hispanic ever to sit on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and past HNBA President; and many others.

The HNBA will also present awards for outstanding contribution to the Hispanic legal community to the following honorees: Sarah Saldana, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Texas (Latina Attorney of the Year); Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (Latino Attorney of the Year); the Honorable Martha Vasquez, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico (Latina Judge of the Year); the Honorable Albert Diaz, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (Latino Judge of the Year); Gelvina Rodriguez Stevenson, Region II – New York and Teresita Chavez Pedrosa, Region VIII – Florida (Regional Presidents of the Year); Bowen Hispanic Law Student Association, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR (Law Student Organization of the Year); Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (HNBA Affiliate of the Year); AT&T and Target Corporation (Corporate Partners of the Year); Natacha Carbajal (HNBA Presidential Award); Joaquin Avila (Ohtli Award); and the Honorable Ricardo Urbina, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (HNBA Lifetime Achievement Award).

Following each day's programming, evening activities will allow guests to enjoy the finest local music, food, and attractions. On Wednesday, August 31st, the Honorary Host Committee will kick off the convention with a welcome reception at Neiman Marcus, offering private shopping and a fashion show featuring collections by Hispanic designers. On Thursday, September 1st, law students will receive a special welcome at a reception at the Dedman School of Law-SMU. Guests will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the field at Dallas Cowboy Stadium, where convention sponsor AT&T will host a reception on September 2nd. Other events include meals, cultural presentations, an exclusive visit to the largest collection of Spanish art outside of Spain at the Meadows Museum of Art, and an elegant closing gala.

This event is a truly unique opportunity to enhance your professional value and learn valuable skills, network and build relationships with some of the most notable legal professionals and national leaders in the country, and above all, enjoy the best of the beautiful city of Dallas! The 36th Annual Convention promises to be a big success and great fun for all who attend.

The HNBA and our convention host, the DHBA, look forward to seeing you in Dallas!

The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, 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