Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association (HVHBA)

The HVHBA was honored to attend the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) first Affinity Bar Association Meet and Greet yesterday evening. Among the important conversations we had, AG James encouraged us to become familiar with the various positions currently available in the Attorney General's office. We intend to pass this valuable information along to our membership. Specifically, positions are available in the Legal Bureau, Social Justice, Regional Offices, Appeals division, Investigations division, Administration division, and the Executive division for all levels of education. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please reach out to us directly at: [email protected]. If you know anyone who would benefit from these opportunities, please feel free to share! Regards, Andrea Soto President

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July!

Thank You Message from the Outgoing President

Congratulations to HVHBA member, Hon. Alejandra Silva, who was recently sworn in as a Town of Ramapo Judge (Rockland County), and is the first Latina judge in Ramapo. Judge Silva has a long-standing history of public service and we look forward to her continued success as a jurist. Outstanding!

This past Thursday (6/27/24), the HVHBA celebrated its inaugural Gala. Thank you to everyone that attended and made it such a special night. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge, for being our distinguished keynote speaker. Congratulations to our honorees: Hon. Maria Vazquez-Doles, Hon. Walter Rivera, Hon. Nelson S. Román, and Hon. Anne E. Minihan. Well-deserved! We thank outgoing President Lassalle and the 2023-2024 Executive Board on a successful year and welcome the incoming Executive Committee and Board of Governors: Executive Committee: President: Andrea C. Soto, Esq. President-Elect: Livia Rodriguez, Esq. Vice President: Peter Rivera, Esq. Secretary: Nancy Ahern, Esq. Treasurer: Hon. Ivonne S. Santos General Counsel: Pablo Fernandez-Herrera, Esq. Board of Governors: Hon. Maria S. Vazquez-Doles Hon. Yvette Rosario Doralba Lassalle, Esq. Alejandra Gil, Esq. Eric Santos, Esq. Jonathan Alvarez, Esq. Madelin Pereira, Esq. Alexandra Bisesi, Esq. Michele Marte-Indzonka, Esq. (Additional photos to follow)

🚨Tomorrow’s Gala is SOLD OUT! Thank you all for your support!

Members of the HVHBA, including incoming Treasurer, Hon. Ivonne S. Santos, were present at the historic installation of Laurie Dorsainvil, Esq., the first woman of color to serve as President of the Rockland County Bar Association. We wish President Dorsainvil a successful tenure and look forward to collaborating together on future programs. L-R: Hon. Ivonne S. Santos, Hon. Djinsad Desir, President Laurie Dorsainvil, Hon. Alejandra Silva-Exias, Hon. Christopher Exias.

On Monday, President-Elect Soto attended the Westchester County Human Rights Commission’s special screening of “How to Sue the Klan: The Legacy of the Chattanooga Five,” co-sponsored by the HVHBA. The film and discussion after was riveting!

As we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. after the Civil War on this Juneteenth, this past Monday, the HVHBA co-sponsored the Franklin H. Williams Commission’s Juneteenth Symposium, together with the Westchester County Bar Association, Westchester Black Bar Association, Rockland Counry Bar Association, Westchester Women’s Bar Association, and New York County Lawyers Association. Attended by President Lassalle, the Symposium, entitled “Plessy v. Ferguson - The Legacy of ‘Separate but Equal” was tremendously thought-provoking. It was especially impactful to hear and meet Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson, the decedents of Homer Plessy and John Ferguson (Plessy v. Ferguson). A very special congratulations to the FHW Commission as well on its 33rd Anniversary! To many more!

HVHBA attended the Bronx Women’s Bar Association’s annual dinner last week, celebrating the Bronx women justices of the Appellate Division, First Department.