The Hon. Lorenzo Arredondo, Josefina Fernandez McEvoy, and The Hon. Alberto Gonzales Join the HNBA Legal Education Fund Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The HNBA Legal Education Fund ("The Fund"), announces the addition of three members to its Board of Directors: The Honorable Lorenzo Arredondo, Josefina Fernandez McEvoy, and The Honorable Alberto Gonzales.

The Honorable Lorenzo Arredondo is a Judge of the Lake Circuit Court in Crown Point, Indiana, and is the longest serving Hispanic state court judge in the country.  Throughout his 35-year service on the bench, Judge Arredondo has provided service for numerous institutions including the Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race and Gender Fairness, the Board and Executive Committee of the American Judicature Society, the Board of Governors of the American Judges Association, and as faculty of the National Judicial College, and Indiana Trial Advocacy College.  Judge Arredondo was one of the HNBA's original founders, and also served as one of its past national presidents.  In 2007, the HNBA awarded Judge Arredondo its Lincoln-Juarez Award, the highest award presented by the HNBA, which has only been presented five times in the HNBA's 38-year history.  Once a teacher at the high school level, Judge Arredondo's passion towards the education of youth, and his lifelong commitment to fairness and equality, make him an excellent addition to The Fund's Board of Directors.

Josefina Fernandez McEvoy is a Managing Director at InTrust Global Investments, LLC in Washington, DC.  Prior to joining InTrust, she was a partner at law firm Fox Rothschild LLP where she focused on international bankruptcy and insolvency issues, and contributed to the national expansion of the firm's Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice.  Active in the legal community, Ms. Fernandez McEvoy has served in The World Bank Insolvency and Creditors Rights Task Force, as Director and former Vice President International of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and as Vice Chair of the Secured Creditors' Committee of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association.  Ms. Fernandez McEvoy is currently Co-Chair of the HNBA's standing Commission on Latinas in the Legal Profession, which in 2009 released an unprecedented report, entitled "Few and Far Between: The Reality of Latina Lawyers."  The Fund welcomes Ms. Fernandez McEvoy who brings exceptional leadership abilities, significant philanthropic experience, dedication to diversifying the legal profession, and a strong interest in addressing pipeline issues within the legal profession.

In 2005, The Honorable Alberto Gonzales became the nation's first Hispanic to be sworn in as Attorney General.  Prior to his appointment, he developed extensive experience in the political and judicial realms, and had a long-history of public service.  Justice Gonzales served as White House Counsel to then-President George W. Bush.  Prior to becoming White House Counsel, he was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and also served as Texas' 100th Secretary of State, all a testament to his commitment to public service.  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Justice Gonzales has displayed commitment to community through his service as a Director for Catholic Charities and for Big Brothers and Sisters in Houston, Texas.  Justice Gonzales was recognized by the HNBA for his historic achievements and commitment to public service when the HNBA presented him with its "Primero Award" in 2005.  Justice Gonzales' long and notable record of public service and commitment to the community will be an asset to The Fund.

"The HNBA Legal Education Fund is pleased to welcome Judge Arredondo, Ms. Fernandez McEvoy, and Justice Gonzales to its Board of Directors," says Roman D. Hernandez, HNBA National President.  "Their distinguished professional and personal achievements speak for themselves. We are glad to have such accomplished and dedicated individuals as Board members.  Indeed, there is much work to do to support the HNBA's charitable and educational activities, and these are the right people for the job."  The Fund's initial Board of Directors, previously comprised of Roman D. Hernandez, Omar A. Vargas, Benny Agosto, Jr., and Patricia A. Madrid, continues to grow in size and national prominence, all of which will allow it to successfully accomplish its mission to support the HNBA's charitable and educational activities and programs.

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, 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. To learn more, visit the Fund's website at www.hnbafund.com.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association