Attorney Elizabeth Arana, of Brown Rudnick, Hartford

Editor’s Note: Arana was elected vice president of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and named to the board of directors of the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity Inc.

The CT Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) serves to address and respond to issues impacting Latino communities, including the issues of access to the courts, judicial diversity and other ethnic and social challenges. What social challenges face Latinos when it comes to the court system in Connecticut?

The CHBA has actively and successfully pursued professional training and standards for court interpreters in Connecticut, an issue of great importance to Hispanics in the state. At the CHBA’s urging, the judicial branch has joined the Consortium for Language Access in the Court, which mandates a certification process to ensure that court interpreters are adequately trained and qualified.  Studies conducted by the Connecticut Judicial Branch show that the near absence of minority court personnel, including judges, negatively affects the public’s perception of the fairness of the courts.  More recent studies suggest that this mistrust of the judicial system has actually increased over the years.  Until the courts and their personnel better reflect the communities they serve, this will continue to be an issue.    

Why is it difficult to attract Hispanics into the legal field? 

This issue is mostly about opportunity and exposure to choices that previous generations did not enjoy. There are so few Hispanics in the legal field because, in some instances, recent generations are the first to attend college, let alone law school or any other graduate program. More importantly, it is not just an issue of attracting Hispanics to the legal field, but also increasing the retention of Hispanics and other minorities at law firms and corporations. When you don’t grow up with someone you can identify with in a particular profession, you are less inclined to believe it is an attainable goal. That is why it is so important for minority organizations such as the CHBA to educate high school students about the legal profession.

What are some of the steps the CHBA takes to promote its members? 

The CHBA focuses on enhancing professional opportunities for Hispanic attorneys by providing networking events and opportunities to serve the needs of Latinos in local communities. For example, the CHBA coordinates with other minority bar associations to host networking functions for attorneys of color, minority law students and local law firms. In addition, the CHBA facilitates its members’ community involvement by coordinating mentorship programs with local law schools and presentations to Connecticut high school students about legal careers.

Each year, the CHBA hosts its Annual Awards Dinner to recognize the achievements of state and regional legislators, judges, businesses and community leaders who have improved the status of the Hispanic community in Connecticut and nationally. Overall, the CHBA works to enhance the visibility of and opportunities for Latino lawyers throughout the state.

You are also involved with Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity, Inc. Among its stated goals is making Connecticut a more attractive place for lawyers of color and women to practice. Why isn’t Connecticut an attractive place for that population to practice here? What can this group realistically hope to do?

 Diversity in Connecticut’s legal system is lacking.  For example, in private practice, the number of minority attorneys in Connecticut is well below the national average, be it at the partnership or associate level.   The numbers of minority and female attorneys must increase to better reflect this state’s demographics.  Thankfully, this issue has gained attention from the Connecticut Judicial System and some political leaders, who are actively invested in increasing diversity in our legal system. 

The Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD) works toward this goal by raising the visibility of minority law students and associates among law firms and local businesses to better recognize the value these attorneys have to offer. The LCD also offers practical educational and professional events to law students and associates, such as courtroom decorum and mock interview seminars with practicing attorneys and judges. You ask what we can realistically hope to do. There is no short term answer. Our numbers will grow with increased exposure on all fronts, through the LCD  and all of the minority bar associations.