Hector D. Ruiz and Joseph L. Linares Sworn in to Leadership Roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association
NEWARK, NJ, October 1, 2021–Walsh attorneys Hector D. Ruiz and Joseph L. Linares were sworn in to new leadership roles within the Hispanic National Bar Association (“HBNA”) by the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna, Circuit Judge with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a virtual ceremony on September 29, 2021. In connection with their roles, Hector and Joseph became voting members of the HNBA Board of Governors, the organization’s decision-making.
Ruiz was elected as Region 3 President (New Jersey) for a two-year term. The HNBA’s Regional Presidents are members of the HNBA’s Board of Governors, and they work to ensure the execution of the Association’s local, regional, and national programs and bylaws by working closely with the HNBA Executive Committee and the HNBA Affiliate Organizations across the country.
“I’m excited and honored to work with the national organization and leadership to further our mission,” Ruiz said. “I look forward to supporting the HNBA’s efforts to help our members succeed and serving as a resource for the advancement of professional development of our members and supporters. We also think it is vitally important to help the next generation of lawyers. For example, we held a virtual bar exam event in which recent bar graduates explained their experiences with the bar exam, which was helpful to this year’s bar cohort.”
Ruiz appointed Linares, a past Region 3 President, as a Deputy Regional President to assist in achieving regional objectives. Linares will continue in his role of Deputy National Finance Director leading national fundraising efforts for the organization. In addition, Linares was appointed to a one-year term as Programming Chair and will assist in planning and running HNBA conferences as the organization moves to expand virtual events and reinstates in-person events. He will be responsible for conceptualizing, coordinating, and monitoring the plenary panels at HBNA’s two conferences, the fall VIA Annual Convention and the spring Corporate Counsel Conference, among other duties.
“I’m honored to be appointed and excited to continue to build on and expand HNBA programming,” Linares said. “Working together we have made great strides over last two years as an organization to remain visible and relevant to our members during the pandemic and the demands of social distancing. My goal is to build on that success and continue to move forward – full steam ahead!”
Both Ruiz and Linares are active with the HNBA’s local affiliate, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey in various capacities and have held several leadership positions in that organization.