HNBA Announces Recipients of the 2012 Top Lawyers Under Forty Awards

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) congratulates six accomplished HNBA members under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves as young Hispanic lawyers in the upper echelon of the legal profession nationwide.  The Association is proud to announce that it has selected the following attorneys to receive its prestigious HNBA Top Lawyers Under Forty Award (listed in alphabetical order):

Juan A. Arteaga, Associate, Simpson Thatcher (New York, NY)

Flor Bermudez, Yout in Out-of-Home Care Staff Attorney, LAMDA Legal Defense Fund (New York, NY)

Christian A. Garza, Senior Corporate Counsel, Citgo Petroleum Corporation (Houston, Texas)

Marlene S. Gomez, Associate, Ballard Spahr (Philadelphia, PA)

Krista Contino Krahn, Senior Law Clerk, Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Washington D.C.)

Richard J. Montes, Partner, Mauro Lilling Naparty (Great Neck, New York)

"We are proud to honor the 2012 Top Lawyers Under Forty, who are just a sample of the exceptional leaders and professionals that comprise the HNBA," said Benny Agosto, Jr., HNBA National President. "As honorees, you represent the new generation of the Latino legal community and the HNBA is proud to recognize your accomplishments with this well-deserved award."

The Top Lawyers Under Forty Award was first awarded in 2009 to celebrate and highlight younger HNBA members who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, leadership and commitment to the Latino community.  HNBA members from all segments of the profession, including private practice, government, public interest, academia, and corporate legal departments, are eligible to receive the award.  The 2012 selection committee was co-chaired by Meshach Y. Rhoades, HNBA Region XIII President (Kutak Rock LLP) and Monica de los Rios (JPMorgan Chase Bank).  Peter M. Reyes, HNBA President-Elect (Cargill, Inc.); Cynthia D. Mares, HNBA VP Sections and Committees (Colorado Supreme Court, Office of Regulation Counsel); Charles V. Garcia, HNBA Region XV President (Cuddy McCarthy, LLP); and Juan M. Sempertegui, HNBA Region V President (Carr Maloney PC) also served on this year's selection committee.

The HNBA will present the Top Lawyers Under Forty Awards at its upcoming Midyear Corporate Counsel Conference and 17^th Annual Uvaldo Herrera National Moot Court Competition in Jersey City, New Jersey during the Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  For more information about the 2012 Mid-Year Convention and Corporate Counsel Conference, including registration information, please log onto the HNBA website at www.hnba.com. 

The HNBA is an incorporated, not-for-profit, national membership organization that represents the interests of the more than 100,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, and law students in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories.  For more information about the HNBA, please visit www.hnba.com.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association