Latino Lawyers’ group launched
A group of local attorneys earlier this month met to inaugurate
the San Benito County Latino Lawyers Association.
”
To say we are excited is an understatement,
”
said organizer and local defense attorney Elvira Zaragoza
Robinson. The group is composed of Latino attorneys living or
practicing in San Benito County.
Latino Lawyers’ group launched
A group of local attorneys earlier this month met to inaugurate the San Benito County Latino Lawyers Association.
“To say we are excited is an understatement,” said organizer and local defense attorney Elvira Zaragoza Robinson. The group is composed of Latino attorneys living or practicing in San Benito County.
The group elected Peter Leroe-Muñoz as its president at its first meeting. Leroe-Muñoz, a graduate of Harvard University, is a San Benito County deputy district attorney. Business attorney Irma Rodgriguez was elected vice-chair.
Leroe-Muñoz , who has been with the D.A.’s office for about a year-and-a-half, said members see this as the right time for such a group. “We’re starting to see more Latino lawyers in the area now,” he said. “That’s something we felt is sort of a growing trend, and we want to be able to encourage that. I think it’s important that we encourage young Latinos to go into the law.”
In addition to providing support and networking opportunities, the group expects to be active in a variety of community and political issues. Initial discussions touched on education, scholarships, serving as role models and mentoring future attorneys.
“We recognize a relationship between law and politics,” Leroe-Muñoz said. “Given the demographics and the economic realities of the county, social justice issues are very much there.”
The group’s first meeting was held at Las Palmas restaurant. The keynote speaker was Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders, who expressed his pleasure over formation of the new organization. Sanders also talked about progress in plans for a new Superior Court complex and his perspectives on the role of attorneys and the local judicial system on local culture, quality of life and as an important resource for local residents.
