As President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, Inc. (PRBA), I feel compelled to join New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet tnd President-Elect Taa Grays, Esq., CIPM in a clarion call for vigilance, integrity, and the defence of our justice system. I was pleased to read the incisive commentary by President Sweet in Bloomberg Law titled “Unvetted, Unconfirmed U.S. Attorneys Shift Too Much Power to Trump.” In the article, President Sweet astutely observes: “This administration is confirming the fear James Madison warned about in Federalist 47, that when the powers of the legislative, executive, and judiciary are in one person’s hands, that action ‘may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.’” (link to the article here: https://lnkd.in/e8gKkw4R
As I have repeatedly stated before, most recently to our future leaders and lawyers at our 2025 Scholarship Gala, these are not abstract warnings. They strike at the heart of the trust our communities place in the justice system.
Throughout the year, and over the past 68 years as the oldest Latino bar association in the country, I am proud the PRBA has repeatedly spoken out loudly and consistently when justice is threatened. However, I continue to still be disappointed by the far too many corporations, law firms, and bar organizations staying silent where the PRBA has refused to look away.
The separation of powers is not an optional luxury — it is the sine qua non of a free society.
To our members, colleagues, and the broader legal community: Let us reaffirm our commitment together to hold institutions accountable.
Pa’lante vamos…
Renier P. Pierantoni
68th President
Puerto Rican Bar Association, Inc. (PRBA)