By: Cinthia Campillo
In a county where the Hispanic population is just under 40%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there is one profession that is highly unrepresented. Hispanics make up only 4% of all Dallas County attorneys, as shown in a 2012 Dallas Diversity Task Force Report.
The lack of Latino lawyers is the motive for one local foundation that hopes to change this statistic. The Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation encourages Hispanic high school and college students to pursue a career in law.
It has provided over $100,000 in scholarships since being founded in 2006. Local Practices in Dallas County come together to sponsor the different awards.
Recently DHLF hosted their first Amanecer Luncheon to honor the Foundation’s interns and scholarship recipients. Keynote Speaker Maria Echaveste spoke of the importance of law over the years.
“When we look at the documents that founded this country: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, we are thinking about who we are and what we do. And they are all great, but there’s a lot of work to be done,” said the Development Director at the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy.
Echaveste also served as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff to President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001. Bringing established professionals in the field of law is only one of the tools DHLF uses to encourage students.
For more information on DHLF visit www.dallashispaniclawfoundation.com
