| A Note from the Office of Dean Leonard M. Baynes |
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we not only honor the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture but also acknowledge the countless accomplishments that Hispanic and Latino/a/x Americans have made across our nation. Hispanic and Latino/a/x/ Americans have made valuable contributions in every corner of our society. They are experienced attorneys, jurists and law professors, doctors and nurses, teachers inspiring the next generation, and entrepreneurs driving our economy. They are artists, musicians, and activists who use their voices to inspire change and celebrate their unique cultural identity and so much more. Many aspiring attorneys with a Hispanic heritage have realized their dreams of entering the legal profession at the University of Houston Law Center starting with our trailblazing 1960 graduate and prominent Corpus Christi attorney Tony Bonilla; Tony was not only our first Hispanic graduate but our first graduate from a racially/ethically underrepresented background. Of this year’s entering class of 1Ls, 44.3% are from backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession, and Hispanic or Latino/a/x comprise 19.1% of the underrepresented portion of the entering class. In addition, we have 19 countries represented in our LL.M. class, including Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela. Mexico is the second-most represented country among LL.M. students after the U.S. Hispanics now constitute a majority of the Texas population. Given these statistics and those of our entering class, I anticipate that our Law Center entering classes will become increasingly Hispanic over time. As such, we need to work harder to create an environment where members of all backgrounds attending UH Law can thrive and reach their potential. To that end, I am delighted that we recently highlighted the accomplishments of our pioneering and trailblazing Hispanic alumni and faculty with the unveiling of the Ezequiel and Livia Reyna Hispanic Law Heritage Wall of Honor. This Wall of Honor allows our students of all backgrounds to admire and be inspired by the careers of our graduates of Hispanic backgrounds. The mission of the Law Center has always been and will continue to be the education of residents of the city of Houston from all backgrounds who become pillars of the legal community in our nation, state and city. |
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Ezequiel Reyna Jr. (J.D. ’80) at Ezequiel Reyna Jr. and Livia Reyna Hispanic Law Heritage Wall of Honor unveiling |
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| This Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to highlight the illustrious career of Doris Rodríguez, a 1980 graduate of the Law Center, and who is now Special Counsel at Hunton Andrews Kurth. Rodríguez has the distinction of being the first Hispanic woman elected partner at a major Houston law firm. Her legal career has taken her across the U.S. and throughout Latin America. | |||
Doris Rodríguez (J.D. ’80) |
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Her work has received praise from numerous professional organizations. She was recognized in the international category of the Latin Lawyer 250 in 2021 and 2023-2024. Rodríguez was selected from 2016 to 2022 as one of Latin America’s Top 100 Female Lawyers by the Latinvex publication. She was also profiled as a leading international attorney in Latin America in banking & finance (2013-2014; 2019-2023) and projects & energy (2013-2023) by The Legal 500 Latin America, a leading legal directory. Her career demonstrates that a J.D. does not confine you to one city, state, or country. It can lead to an enriching practice that acquaints lawyers with legal systems abroad. Other ways to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is by hiring our students and giving philanthropically to the UH Law Center, which is a Hispanic-serving institution. As we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us also remember the challenges and hardships that many in the Hispanic community face. In the words of the great civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, "preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." But the resilience and achievement of these communities is inspiring and demonstrates that "Sí se puede!” or “Yes we can! Hispanic Heritage Month is not just a celebration by one community; it is a celebration of all communities reminding us of our nation’s strength that comes from our unity. Please take a moment to click through the slideshow to see more about our Hispanic and Latino/a/x alumni, staff, faculty, and students who have made significant strides in their industries, be it in law practice, academic institutions, or other entities. |
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Leonard M. Baynes Share Your Thoughts with the Dean |
