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2/18/2013

Hispanic National Bar Association – Legal Education Fund launches the HNBA-LEF Legal Education Action Program (“LEAP”)

The Legal Education Action Program will host its inaugural summer education session in Los Angeles, CA.

Los Angeles, CA— February 18, 2013 — The Hispanic National Bar Association – Legal Education Fund (HNBA-LEF) is launching the HNBA-LEF Legal Education Action Program (“LEAP”) to introduce Hispanic high school students to the United States legal system. LEAP will enroll and provide scholarships to selected high school students from diverse backgrounds across the United States. LEAP applications will be available on March 1, 2013, online at www.HNBAFUND.org. The 2013 LEAP summer program will be hosted in Los Angeles, California, on June 23-30, 2013. The underwriting of this ambitious education program is made possible by the generous contributions of our supporting sponsors including private donors, corporations, law firms, and law schools.

HNBA President Peter Reyes said, "Hispanic students stand to benefit greatly from yet another example of a successful partnership between the HNBA and the Fund. LEAP will be a strong addition to our legal education pipeline programs aimed at elevating youth from grade school through graduate school." This HNBA-LEF LEAP summer education opportunity will be an annual legal education- introduction program, and will rotate to various metropolitan areas across the United States each year. LEAP will provide students the opportunity to meet in person with national and international business leaders, lawyers in private practice, government lawyers, government agency officials, and state and federal judges, and law professors. “The HNBA-LEF LEAP is established to develop and assure advancement through education. The LEAP program guides students to understand that our nation's elected officials are to be governed by the rule of law,” said Omar Vargas, President of The HNBA-LEF. “The HNBA-LEF is honored to work with our supporters and sponsors, as well as leaders from our nation’s legal community to achieve our goals for LEAP,” added Mr. Vargas.

LEAP participating law professors, lawyers, elected and appointed officials, and judges will inspire LEAP participants by sharing their success stories and educate on attainable goals young people can set to achieve a successful legal career. LEAP participants will learn of the many careers they may pursue with a law degree. LEAP students also will be exposed to the legal side of the business world, will enhance their understanding the rule of law, and hopefully set their sights on becoming leaders in their communities. The one-week HNBA-LEF LEAP will culminate with students competing in a mock trial with the support of legal advocacy coaches including law school professors and judges.

The HNBA-LEF LEAP will also provide teaching opportunities for law students, who will serve as LEAP student-guides during the execution of the one-week summer program. LEAP law student- guides will accompany and support LEAP participants throughout week. “This much needed educational program will strengthen diversity in the legal profession and the education pipeline in our nation’s Hispanic community,” said Mark Gallegos, HNBA-LEF Executive Board Member, and LEAP Committee Chair.

The HNBA-LEF is a tax-exempt non-profit Washington, DC corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes. It is a pivotal force aiding the education of Hispanic attorneys and law students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is a non-profit, association of professionals in the legal profession, representing the interests of over 100,000 Hispanic-American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students in the United States and Puerto Rico. For information on how to become an inaugural sponsor of LEAP please contact Cynthia Carrasco, Esq., LEAP Director, 626-215-3710; Leap2013@HNBAFund.org.