Celebrating the Impact of Hispanic Attorneys in Texas

By Angelica M. Hernandez

Over the past year, I had the honor of serving as Chair of the Hispanic Issues Section (HIS) of the State Bar of Texas. This role has expanded my appreciation of the historic achievements of Hispanic attorneys in Texas and underscored the significant impact our collective efforts can make on the future.

With Hispanic lawyers representing approximately 11 percent of active attorneys in Texas, our impact on the state bar continues to grow through collective initiatives and education.

Together with the HIS board members and officers, our group tackled several substantial projects that provided education to our colleagues, celebrated the accomplishments of Hispanic lawyers, and supported legal representation for those with limited access to an attorney.

Our first event in September 2023 raised more than $50,000 for the Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) to provide legal aid for low-income Texans. The Lawteria event highlighted Hispanic attorneys, judges, and Texas leaders with watch parties across the state. For this work, the HIS committee was recognized with the Access to Justice Award for its ongoing commitment to justice initiatives by TAJF.

In January of 2024, HIS commemorated the 70^th anniversary of the first U.S. Supreme Court case argued by Texas Hispanic lawyers, Hernandez v. Texas, which extended constitutional rights to Mexican Americans. Before this ruling, Hispanics faced overt discrimination and segregation and were excluded from jury duty, preventing them from having a jury of their peers. This landmark case, argued by civil rights attorney Gustavo “Gus” Garcia, extended Fourteenth Amendment protections to Hispanics, making juries more representative by ending the exclusion of Hispanic community members. In the seven decades since, the case has paved the way for more equitable access to voting, housing, and education for Hispanics across this country.

HIS also held two continuing education opportunities for Texas lawyers this spring, including discussions on a landmark case that held that the federal government must produce documents relied upon by government witnesses and an in-depth discussion of immigration and family law.

We ended this momentous year with a celebration of the 45^th anniversary of the Hispanic Issues Section with a discussion on the Section’s legacy and its role in shaping the State Bar of Texas.

Through the years, HIS has elevated the voices of Hispanic attorneys and influenced legal decisions to the highest court in the country. I have been proud to serve as chair and grateful for the professionals who have served the bar alongside me.