Román D. Hernández HNBA President-Elect this year has been selected to serve a one-year term as National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Hernández has also served his country as a former Air Force Captain.
Román D. Hernández is the youngest of eight children; his parents emigrated from Mexico over 50 years ago. His parents were migrant workers until they settled in rural Eastern Oregon to raise their family. He worked together with his family in the fields until he started college.
In 1999, Hernández’ law career began when he clerked at Schwab, Williamson & Wyatt firm.
Hernández earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oregon State University . Hernández then joined the Air Force. He served nearly five years of active duty with the United States Air Force; he completed his service to his country with an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain. He left a career of military service to pursue his legal education.
Hernández earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College , in Portland , Oregon . He was admitted to Law Practice in Oregon and Washington State Courts, Federal Courts in Oregon and Washington , and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2003, Hernández received the Portland Business Journal's "Forty under 40" award, recognizing the most accomplished influential and civic-minded young executives in the Portland area.
In 2004, Hernández served on the Transition Steering Committee for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoshi. It was comprised of 23 people selected from throughout Oregon to assist his administration.
In 2006, Hernández was appointed by Governor Kulongoshi to the 10-member Board of Directors for Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon’s’ only Academic Health Center where Hernández served as Director. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Portland Hispanic Chamber, including serving one year as its President.
Additionally, he was one of the founding members of the Oregon Hispanic Bar Association and served as its first Vice-President. Part of his responsibilities included overseeing the university’s annual budget. Hernández was re-appointed as Director of the OHSU Board by the governor for another three-year term.
His strong record of civic and community involvement led local newspaper the (Willamette Wee), identified him as one of 12 Portlanders who should run for Mayor of Portland, Oregon. He was featured in the newspaper’s cover story (“Done Deal”, Nov. 28, 2007). This recognition speaks to the respect and confidence in his leadership abilities that he has earned with his local community.
Hernández’ law practice focused on the defense of employers against claims filed by former, current, and prospective employees for allegations of discrimination, harassment, in both state and federal courts, including class action litigation. He also provided general employment and labor advice to employers of all sizes related to employment and labor policies and practices.
Hernandez has also been involved in international business matters and has conducted cross-border contract negotiations on behalf of firm clients.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for Román to further his work in the legal community," said Mark Long, managing partner for Schwabe.” "For more than 30 years the HNBA has worked hard to promote positive change within the legal profession and we are proud that Román will now be a championing voice.”
"I am truly honored to serve as HNBA President-Elect this year, then as HNBA President next year. The HNBA, the national voice of the Hispanic legal community, will continue to advance the interests of Hispanic legal professionals on a national level under my leadership as it has under the leadership of many great leaders who have preceded me, like Ramona Romero. I look forward to working with her and other members of the HNBA Board of Governors," said Román Hernández.
The HNBA is a nonprofit national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 100,000 attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants and law students of Hispanic descent in the United States and Puerto Rico. The HNBA promotes opportunities for Latinos in the legal profession through advocacy and substantive programs.
In 2005, the Hispanic National Bar Association selected Hernández out of the 19 regional presidents across the country as “Regional President of the Year,” and in 2009, he was selected by “Latino Leaders” magazine, as one of the top 101 Most Influential Hispanic Leaders in the U.S. In addition, “Hispanic Business” magazine also selected Hernández as one of the 100 Most Influential people in the nation.
Comments