HNBA 50th | HNBA

We must never forget that the Hispanic National Bar Association developed out of the compulsion, inspiration, and resolve of a few young Latino lawyers seeking to stand and safeguard the worth and interests of the Latino community. They understood, “Where there is no vision, the people perish. . .” They saw the struggles of the Hispanic people, through the lens of foresight and imagination.

Honorable Francisca Cota,
HNBA Historian

Decades of Advancement Plenary with our HNBA Past Presidents

during AC2022 50th Anniversary.

INTRODUCTION
In 2022, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) celebrates its legacy of 50 years. The organization has traveled far in five decades, making immense strides in carrying out its mission to bring equity and empowerment to the Hispanic legal profession and to advocate on issues impacting the Hispanic community in the United States. In retracing its history and the profound contributions of so many, the HNBA celebrates with immense gratitude all who have supported the organization and helped make this historic milestone a reality. It is that history, resolve, and commitment of so many leaders that inspires us to continue the work to overcome the persistent obstacles that we encounter in our profession and community. Read More…

50 YEARS OF HNBA ACHIEVEMENTS

During AC2022, the HNBA showcased a historical tribute to Hispanic heritage. This display offers context on the Hispanic community and HNBA history. Thank you to all those who contributed to its creation. Click here to view our banner exhibition.

HNBA FOUNDERS

Hon. Mario G. Obledo

Hon. Cruz Reynoso

Hon. Benjamin Aranda III

Louis Garcia

Miguel R. Mendez

Ed Peña

Baltazar Baca

Al Gonzalez

Hon. Lorenzo Arredondo

John Huerta

Donato Tapia

HNBA HISTORY

The Formation of the HNBA

Like most noteworthy organizations and group efforts, the Hispanic National Bar Association was founded in times of adversity. It was a conscientious response to the increasing struggles and questionable burdens facing the Hispanic community in the United States. The year was 1971, and the landmark decision, Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), was still leading civil rights litigation across the United States. The civil rights of Hispanic students had been implacably violated long before. In a small town outside of Los Angeles, California, ten years before Brown, Silvia Mendez the daughter of Mauricio Mendez, a Mexican immigrant and a Puerto Rican mother, and other children of Mexican descent were banned from the predominantly white schools of Westminster School District in Orange County, California. The Mendez family together with the Palomino, Estrada, Guzman and Ramirez families, filed a class action lawsuit in 1945 on behalf of 5,000 Mexican-American children in Orange County calling for the integration of the schools. The plaintiffs in Mendez v. Westminster argued that student segregation into separate schools in Orange County was based solely on their national origin. The 9th Circuit acknowledged that the segregation of Mexican and Mexican American students into “Mexican Schools” was unconstitutional. Mendez v. Westminster School District, 64 F.Supp 544 (C.D. Cal 1946), aff’d, 161 F. 2d 744 (9th Cir. 1947.) Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, 402, U.S. 1 (1971) was decided by the United State Supreme Court, dealing with student busing to promote integration in the racially imbalanced public schools.

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1971

LA RAZA National Lawyers Association (LRNLA)

The Hispanic National Bar Association was founded in times of adversity. It was a conscientious response to the increasing struggles and questionable burdens facing the Hispanic community in the United States.

1972

First Board of Governors meeting

LRNLA founding members are: Mario G. Obledo, Hon. Cruz Reynoso, Louis Garcia, Miguel Angel Mendez, Al Gonzalez, Hon. Lorenzo Arredondo, John Huerta and Donato Tapia.

1973

First Annual La Raza National Lawyers Convention

At the time, there was an estimated 3000 total known Hispanic lawyers in the country. The Honorable Benjamin Aranda III took over presidency from 1976 through 1980.

1984

Renamed Hispanic National Bar Association

The organization was renamed the HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (HNBA) and moved the organization offices to Washington, DC.

Documents

HNBA Past Presidents Quotes Presentation – Sept. 2022
HNBA 50th Articles – Noticias Sept. 2022
A Review of the History of the Hispanic National Bar Association – By the honorable Francisca Cota
The Making of an American Justice: The HNBA’s Quest for the First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice – By Dolores S. Atencio
The Hispanic National Bar Association and the Need for Hispanic Lawyers – By J. Clay Smith Jr.
Hispanic National Bar Association. A Validation of Worth – By the Honorable Francisca Cota
Minutes from the Mexican American Bar Association of California discussing the formation of La Raza lawyers Association which eventually became the HNBA.
1992 HNBA Convention Magazine Cover.
Hispanic National Bar panel meets president Salinas on Proposal Free Trade Agreement.
The Hispanic National Bar Association & Congressman Jose Serrano disclose gross under-representation of Hispanic Judges in the Nation’s Federal and State Courts. May 1992.