FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(HARTFORD, CT) - The Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association is pleased to announce its new slate of officers for the term of 2021-2022.
Gregory Chase, Counsel at Travelers, succeeded Patricia Jimenez, Associate at Day Pitney, LLP, as President as of April 17, 2021.
The following individuals were elected to office at the CHBA’s annual meeting held virtually on April 17, 2021:
- Kean Zimmerman, President-Elect, Counsel at Tokio Marine HCC
- Charlene Merced, Vice President, Partner at Pol, Merced & Associates, LLC
- Rosendo Garza, Associate at Day Pitney, LLP
- Andrés Jiménez-Franck, Secretary, Associate at Pullman & Comley, LLC
- Geraldo Parrilla, Director of Communications, Judicial Law Clerk at United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
“It is an incredible honor to be the President of this phenomenal organization,” said Mr. Chase. “It is also an incredible responsibility that I aim to give my all to. Currently the world is seeing the pain and sorrow that racism, xenophobia, misogyny and other forms of discrimination bring. I aim to continue the efforts that our organization has had with the other affinity bar organizations of this state and the National Hispanic Bar Organization to not only promote diversity and inclusion but also to educate our peers and our communities on the importance of the two.” When asked what was one of the main focuses of his administration he replied, “I want to make it a priority of my term to inspire, encourage and promote the legal profession to the youth of our state beyond just those in college and law school. Often it is said that ‘you cannot become what you cannot see’ and we need to show younger students that they can be attorneys who excel in this practice.”
The CHBA is also pleased to announce that the following individuals were reelected to the Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term: Maggie Castinado, Alfredo Fernández, Hon. Matthew Dallas Gordon, and Jessica Torres.
Directors elected to the CHBA Board in 2020 whose terms continue during the 2021-2022 year are: Daniela Aguila, David Salazar-Austin, Marie Bertrand, Marilyn Diaz, Steven Hernandez, William Malpica, Walter Menjivar, Geraldo Parilla, Sonia Pedraza, Leonard Rodriguez, and Diane Rojas.
In addition, Gabby Rios, a student at the University of Connecticut School of Law, Kris Perez, a student at Quinnipiac University School of Law and Patrick Youngs, a student at Western New England University School of Law, were appointed to serve as Law Student Division Representatives.
ABOUT THE CHBA: Founded in 1993, the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association works to enhance the visibility of Hispanic lawyers throughout the state; to facilitate communication and sharing of information and resources among our members; to serve as mentors to new attorneys and law students; and to assist the public and private sectors in achieving diversity in their law firms and legal departments. The CHBA also addresses issues impacting the Hispanic community, such as access to the courts, judicial diversity and other social challenges.
