Hispanic Bar Honors Top Lawyers Under 40

WASHINGTON, -- The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) congratulates five (5) accomplished HNBA members under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves as young lawyers in the upper echelon of the legal profession nationwide. The Association is proud to announce that it has selected the following attorneys to receive its prestigious Top Lawyers Under Forty Award (listed in alphabetical order):

Carlos Cruz, Attorney, Law Office of Carlos Cruz (Alhambra, CA)

Ernestina Cruz, Partner, Narvaez Law Firm, P.A. (Albuquerque, NM)

Niza Motola, Special Counsel, Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Miami, FL)

Monica C. Sanchez, Managing Partner, Cochran Latino-The Sanchez Firm (Metaine, LA)

Luis Felipe Valerin, Senior Counsel, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (Westfield, NJ)

Through the Top Lawyers Under Forty Award, the HNBA celebrates and highlights younger HNBA members who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, leadership and commitment to the Hispanic community. HNBA members from all segments of the profession, including private practice, government, public interest, academia, and corporate legal departments, are eligible to receive the Award.

"The five (5) award recipients represent the best and brightest Hispanic attorneys in the country. While the HNBA received nominations for many exceptionally qualified attorneys, the recipients of this award have distinguished themselves for their professional endeavors, through their commitment and involvement in the Hispanic community, all at a relatively early stage of their careers. On behalf of the HNBA Board of Governors, I congratulate them and wish them continued success," said HNBA National President Roman D. Hernandez.

The HNBA will present the Top Lawyers Under Forty Awards at its upcoming Mid-Year Conference and 15th Annual Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition Awards Gala that will be held on March 6, 2010 in San Diego, California. For more information about the 2010 Mid-Year Conference, including registration information, please log onto the HNBA website at www.hnba.com.

The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, non-partisan, national membership Association that represents the interests of the more than 100,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and legal professionals in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories. For more information about the HNBA, please visit www.hnba.com.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association