Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities

    The Hispanic Commission focuses on developing and supporting initiatives and research to educate lawyers on how best to serve, promote civic responsibility within, and address the key legal challenges facing Latino community in the United States.

    Hispanic Heritage Month

    ABA President Refo

    A message from ABA President Patricia Lee Refo during Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated September 15 - October 15.

    Latinos in the United States: Overcoming Legal Obstacles, Engaging in Civic Life

    This report presents preliminary information for the ABA's consideration, with the goal of providing a foundation upon which to expand on the work that has been started during the past years. The witnesses and stakeholders who provided valuable information to the Commission expect that their hopes were not misplaced that the ABA would take the lead in addressing these difficult issues. These individuals and organizations candidly described the challenges facing Latino lawyers, clients, and members of the broader Latino Community.

    Read - Report

    Legal Summit of the Americas 2.0

    Register

    Legal Environmental Issues in North American during Covid-19 – Perspectives from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

    Three part digital webinar series featuring panelists from the US, Mexico and Canada, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Immigration, Business Trade, and Environmental law. To learn more, please visit the Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities Commission's Legal Summit page.

    Legal Summit of the Americas - visit page

    About Us

    The Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities is comprised of one Chair and nine members appointed by the ABA President. The mission of the Commission is to address the challenges and responsibilities facing Hispanics in and within the legal system of the United States.

    Learn - More

    Practitioner Resources

    Webinar | Racial Justice in America: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

    A discussion about racial justice in America in light of the events since the murder of George Floyd. Perspectives provided by panelists from African American, Muslim, Asian American, Hispanic, and Native America communities.

    Read more - View Webinar

    Support the Hispanic Commission

    Your support of the Hispanic Commission’s work is greatly appreciated and will help expand on our accomplishments and activities to date. The Commission is working on a variety of programs, including unauthorized practice of law (Notario Fraud), language access in the courts, voting rights, and much more.

    Donate - Today

    Chair's Message

    "Together, we will get through this crisis."

    "As our country, and the world suffer from the COVID-19 crisis, lawyers are needed now more than ever. We are trained to deal with crisis and to help those in need. Our time is now. Stay strong. Be not afraid.” - Richard Pena, Chair

    Join. Connect. Learn.

    ABA Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights & Responsibilities: 321 N. Clark St., Suite 1700 Chicago, Illinois 60654 | Tel: (312) 988‐5137 | Email: skip.harsch@americanbar.org for inquiries

    Contact - Us

    ABA News

    Statement of ABA Pres Bob Carlson Re: Improving the U.S. Immigration System

    As tensions escalate on the Mexican border, the American Bar Association urges Congress and the White House to craft a comprehensive, peaceful resolution to our nation’s immigration challenges and to devote more resources to alleviate the backlog of asylum claims on the border and in United States’ immigration courts.

    Read - Full Statement here

    Explore ABA Groups

    Learn - More

    Explore More Topics

    Children's Rights

    Civil Rights and Constitution

    Diversity and Inclusion Center

    Learn - More