It is my extraordinary honor to serve as President of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois and I welcome you to this 2019-2020 membership year.
HLAI has grown dramatically over the last decades. Our board is composed of prominent members of the bar, judges, and rising legal stars that come together to promote excellence among Hispanic attorneys and in the legal community. We have an ever-expanding membership from within the Hispanic legal community, and from without, allowing us to collaborate and grow in innumerable ways. And, importantly, HLAI’s board and its membership has participated in countless ways on pro bono or volunteer bases to assist the Hispanic community and community-at-large address the legal and social injustice issues facing so many.
HLAI has continued its tireless efforts to help students afford the rising costs of a legal education through HLAI Charities, and reinforced a pipeline through the JD Mentors program connecting students with lawyers at all stages of their careers. HLAI has a burgeoning job board with up-to-date and unique employment opportunities. We have thriving social and professional networks that regularly convene to broaden their knowledge and interests. HLAI is simply better today than it ever was because of the incredible work of those who came before me and those who surround me now.
It is my goal to continue to promote excellence in this fine organization and further our talents in the legal community in the service of others. I extend my heartfelt invitation to you to contact me to help further HLAI’s mission and collaborate for a better tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Leynee A. Cruz