What service to the Latino community impassions you?
I am so fortunate to be where I am at and to hold the position that I currently hold. And I recognize that I am here through some combination of luck, hard work, and really fantastic mentors. That is why I am so passionate about doing my best to pay it forward; to be a resource for the next generation of Latinx lawyers; and to offer advice whenever and however I can. Although our community has made great strides in achieving more representation in the legal community, we still have a long way to go. There are a myriad of reasons for this, but one thing that current Latinx lawyers can do to help is to reach out, reach back, and lift up folks who want to be part of this profession. This is why I am happy to serve as the chair of the Pipeline Committee for HLAI. We want law students, undergraduate students, and even high school students to know that we are a resource for them. These resources range from scholarship opportunities to coffee on a weekday afternoon to answer some questions. If we, as Latinx lawyers, are going to realize our full potential as a driving force in the legal community, we have lay the ground work for future generations. The first step is to let folks know we are here for them and that we want to help.
Jim L. Arce
Assistant United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois