2012 Future Latino Leaders Law Camp Application Launch

HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR FOUNDATION ADVANCES EQUALITY AND EDUCATION WITH ITS ANNUAL LAW CAMP FOR HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 

The Hispanic National Bar Foundation (HNBF) is hosting its annual 9-day long Future Latino Leaders Law Camp from July 14th through July 22nd in Washington, D.C. This program is offered free of charge for up to 25 Hispanic high school students from across the nation through the generous support of our donors and corporate sponsors, Walmart and General Motors. Law Camp students will have the opportunity to enjoy the culture and history of our nation’s capital while being immersed in a legal profession preparation curriculum with prominent Hispanic leaders in the legal profession.

The Future Latino Leaders Law Camp will celebrate its eighth year of empowering and mentoring Hispanic youth. Mayda Prego, board president shares, “We are proud of our tradition of shaping the next generation of Hispanic leaders. Our Law Camp is an important diversity pipeline program for the legal profession. 100% of our students report they plan to attend and graduate from college and 96% report that they want to attend law school after attending the Law Camp.”  Nearly 150 youth have participated in the program since its inception in 2005. Applications can be completed on the HNBF website at www.hnbf.org. Applications are available from December 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012.

The program may include guided tours of the United States Capitol, Department of Treasury, Department of the State, Department of Justice, Supreme Court, and much more. Students build leadership skills; improve their knowledge of legal theory and practice; build a new network of mentors, learn about diverse careers in the legal field and build confidence in the process. 

Additionally, selected students will experience college life while staying on a university campus in D.C. Admissions offices of local D.C. universities will provide valuable insights on applying for and financing college and offer tips on succeeding in college. Resources to support students in preparation for the SAT/ACT will also be offered.

Students will also participate in a “Mock Trial” competition. Students will receive coaching from their law student camp counselors and prominent Hispanic attorneys and judges. Campers will be able to develop their critical thinking skills with an introductory course taught by distinguished attorneys from Inter-American Development Bank, Brigida Benitez, Chief, Office of Institutional Integrity, and Marlon Paz, Principal Integrity Officer, Office of Institutional Integrity. 

In addition to exposing the students to legal culture, the Future Latino Leaders Law Camp also serves as a place where young Hispanic students can see positive Hispanic role models. Students like Luis Alvarez, “The best part of the Law Camp was the people. The students, the presenters, and the staff made the camp one of the most amazing weeks of my life. Hearing the success stories of people who came from similar backgrounds as me has inspired me, and showed me that the legal field is an amazing place for Hispanic people."  The Future Latino Leaders Law Camp application and more information about the Law Camp and other HNBF programs can be found on the website at www.hnbf.org.

Students can access the application by creating a user id and password here.

2011 Law Camp Students at Annual Awards Dinner                     2011 Law Camp Student Mock Trial winning team pictured with HNBF board members