by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The Hispanic Bar Association (HBA) of Northeast Florida swore in a new board of directors last week.
The four-year-old law organization welcomed Dorie Ortiz as president, Vanessa Da Rosa as president-elect, Art Hernandez as vice president of programs, Steve Moore as vice president of membership, Patti Parker as treasurer and Cristina Fuschi as secretary. Duval County Court Judge Roberto Arias swore in the members and Duval County Court Judge Eleni Derke also attended the meeting.
“We will continue to hold the programs we have established and try to increase membership and attendance at our events,” said Ortiz. “Part of that will be establishing relationships with the students at Florida Coastal School of Law’s Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA).”
It may not be easy leading an organization as a private practitioner, but Ortiz is looking forward to the experience.
“It’s going to be a challenge to balance my business and duties as president,” said Ortiz. “But I’m up for it.”
A leadership role isn’t new for Ortiz. She was also president of HALSA when she attended Florida Coastal School of Law. She is a 2004 graduate of the local law school.
“We didn’t have the mentoring program when I was going to school,” said Ortiz. “It would have been helpful for me, so we look forward to helping the students.”
The HBA matches up its members with students from HALSA.
“They can communicate with each other through e-mail or over the phone,” said Ada Hammond, immediate past-president of HBA. “And the students get to go into court with their mentors to see the procedures of the court.”
The HBA also held its first pig roast for members of the judiciary and law community at Hannah Park last year and they look forward to opportunities to partner with other bars to host other events.
“We partnered with the Asian Bar and D.W. Perkins Bar for a CLE (continuing legal education) seminar on law office management during the last term,” said Hammond.
The HBA was founded in Sept., 2004 to foster fellowship among Hispanic judges, lawyers and law students and those interested in or doing business with Latin America or Hispanic businesses in the region.
It also provides opportunities for networking, promoting the development of Hispanic lawyers and law students, educating the community on relevant legal issues and developing outreach programs like “Law Week” and scholarships.
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