Hispanic Bar Association
Mission Statement
The Hispanic Bar Association concerns itself with promoting the understanding of cultural diversity as well as aiding the surround Hispanic community. HBA meets its objectives through a variety of guest speakers, pro bono workshops, general meetings, and social events that are open to the entire Stetson community, irrespective of ethnicity. A recent focus of HBA has been to aid in the recruitment process of Hispanic students to Stetson.
About the HBA
HBA is made up of law students who actively participate throughout the year on campus and in the local community. HBA is dedicated to helping individuals overcome the language barrier that stands between the Hispanic Community in need of legal pro bono help and the lawyers committed to helping them. To fulfill this commitment, Spanish speaking HBA members perform intake work and serve as translators for Gulfcoast Legal Services and Bay Area Legal Services pro bono clients. These translation skills help make various legal workshops with the local Hispanic community a great success.
On Feb. 16, 2006, the Florida Supreme Court honored Stetson's HBA chapter for its pro bono work. Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente and Florida Bar President Alan Bookman presented HBA with the 2006 Chief Justice's Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award.
In addition to its pro bono dedication, HBA is also committed to promoting cultural diversity and awareness on Stetson's campus. To do this, HBA strongly encourages the entire Stetson community to participate in its monthly meetings and many on-campus events. Some of this past year's HBA events included a Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon, Soccer Viewing Party, 1L Welcome Program, career development luncheon with solo practitioner William Galarza, and our largest event -- the Annual HBA Picnic. Every year HBA organizes a weekend picnic where Stetson students, faculty, staff, family and friends join the surrounding legal and business communities for a day of Latin food, music, dancing, entertainment and fun.
Stetson's HBA, along with the Tampa Bay Hispanic Bar Association, is also very proud of its instrumental role in the launch of the HNBF/HNBA Mentorship Program in Tampa Bay. Contact an HBA officer for more information on this successful program.
Officers
President
Francisco Garcia
Vice President
Gian-Franco Melendez
Treasurer
Sergio Fernandez
Secretary
Chrissie Fernandez
Public Relations
Hector Vega
Historian
1L Events Planning Chair
Faculty Advisor
Professor Luz Nagle
Announcements
In the News
