A significant and exciting development has recently taken place within Utah’s legal community—the formation of the Utah Hispanic Bar Association. This new affinity bar association was established with the primary goal of supporting Latino legal professionals in Utah and addressing the legal needs of the Latin America community. Membership is open to any eligible licensee of the Utah State Bar, who can join through the Bar’s online Practice Portal during the renewal period or any time thereafter. The new Bar Association membership dues are set at an affordable $20.
“We are excited to invite every Utah State Bar member to join our new group to talk, learn, provide feedback, get involved, and grow.”
Mission and Objectives
The mission of the Utah Hispanic Bar Association, as outlined in its Articles of Incorporation, includes:
- · Providing a forum for attorneys and others interested in promoting the professional advancement of Latino attorneys in Utah.
- · Offering support to the Latino community by developing ties and providing legal services throughout Utah.
Javier Chavez, Jr., along with other fellow lawyers, were inspired to start this association due to the growing Latino population in Utah, which brings unique legal needs, language complexities, intricate cultural tapestries, and entrepreneurial business owners. Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in Utah, comprising over 15% of the state’s population. Additionally, Latinos are among the fastest-growing founders of businesses in Utah.
The Need for More Hispanic Attorneys
The formation of the Utah Hispanic Bar Association is particularly timely and necessary, given the statistics provided by the American Bar Association (ABA). According to the ABA, while Latinos make up a significant portion of the U.S. population, they are underrepresented in the legal profession.
- Latinos constitute approximately 18% of the U.S. population, but only about 5% of lawyers are Latino.
- The need for Hispanic attorneys is critical to address the specific legal needs of Latino communities, which often include issues related to immigration, labor rights, and language barriers in legal proceedings.
- Hispanic attorneys can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the legal system and Latino communities, providing culturally competent legal representation and advocacy.
Future Activities and Involvement
The Utah Hispanic Bar Association plans to host a variety of meetings, activities, and events designed to foster community among Latino legal professionals and support the broader Latino community in Utah. Details of these upcoming events will be announced soon.
For those interested in joining or learning more, Javier Chavez, Jr., can be contacted through his LinkedIn profile, the Bar website or directly at JC@JavierChavez.com.