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Rene Ortega
Associate Day Pitney LLP |
The CHBA strives to serve its members and the community in a wide variety of ways, including providing networking, business development, referral, mentorship, and award opportunities.
Networking Events
The CHBA focuses on enhancing professional opportunities for Hispanic
attorneys, and it does so in part through events where members can
meet each other and others in the legal profession. The CHBA
sponsors events such as the Annual Awards Dinner, the CHBA Summer Social
for members, their families and friends, and other receptions throughout
the state. In addition to social and networking events, the CHBA
has organized several panels which focus on employment opportunities
in the judiciary, the public sector, private practice, and corporate
work.
Collaboration
CHBA members have the opportunity to represent the CHBA in numerous collaborative
events and activities. The CHBA is a member of the Lawyers Collaborative
for Diversity (“LCD”), which encourages private and public
legal employers to set and achieve diversity goals. The CHBA
has successfully sponsored a number of events with the LCD, the Hartford
County Bar Association, the Connecticut Lawyers’ Group, the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, the Connecticut Asian Pacific American
Bar Association and the South Asian American Bar Association. The
CHBA has also supported activities of the Hispanic Professional Network,
the Connecticut Association of Latin Americans in Higher Education,
the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and the Society for Hispanic
Engineers.
Directory
Members have exclusive access to the CHBA Directory, which is available
online. The Directory serves to enhance communication among members
and to provide a source for referrals, employment and business development
opportunities.
Legislation
CHBA members have the opportunity to shape legislation which affects
the legal profession. In the past, the CHBA successfully pursued
the passage of legislation to require professional training and standards
for court interpreters in Connecticut—an issue of great importance
to Hispanics in the state. CHBA members have also sought an increase
in the number of qualified court interpreters. In addition, CHBA
members actively participated in the Task Force on Minority Fairness’ examination
of the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities by the court system.
Membership Discounts
Through its affiliation with the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA),
CHBA members receive discounts on HNBA membership and increased opportunities
for networking nationally.
CHBA Awards
CHBA recognizes annually, at
its Annual Awards Dinner, the achievements, of those who have made contributions
to the Hispanic community. The
CHBA has recognized the achievements of our judges, legislators, administrators,
business and community leaders, and others who have contributed to the
improvement of the status of the Hispanic community in Connecticut and
nationally. Members have the opportunity to nominate award recipients,
to contribute to the administration of this program, and to help with
fundraising efforts.
Scholarship Program
CHBA sponsors a scholarship program for law students which has, over
the years, awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships. The awards
are based on academic excellence and commitment to community service.
The Annual Awards Dinner is the primary source of new funding for the
CHBA scholarship program. Members have the opportunity to participate
in the administration of this program.

