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President’s Message

Jason Canales

Growing Our Membership.  Advocating To “Do Good.” Empowering Young Lawyers.

Dear Members and Friends:

As we celebrate the 68th year of the Puerto Rican Bar Association (PRBA), I am filled with immense gratitude and humility for the privilege of serving as your president. Our organization was founded in 1957 to serve as a beacon for advocacy, community, and professional excellence, and it is our shared commitment to these values that continues to drive us forward. This year, we aim to deepen our impact by prioritizing three key areas:

Expanding Opportunities for Members:  We will enhance opportunities for our members to serve on and lead our committees, fostering greater empowerment through professional development, mentorship programs, and dynamic networking events.

Advocating Greater Latin-X Representation on the Bench (and more): The PRBA has a proud history of promoting and supporting our members to serve on the New York State judiciary. However, despite past efforts, we continue to be woefully underrepresented on the bench- especially in communities that have a significant Latin-X population. The PRBA will be the leading voice in pushing our elected representatives to finally make the changes needed.

Empowering Our Young Attorneys and Law StudentsThrough mentoring programs, networking events, and CLEs, we will work to bridge the gap between the old guard and the new voices needed to sustain and move the PRBA towards being the preeminent, influential voice of all Hispanic attorneys

These initiatives and more will work best with your cooperation. As such, I encourage each of you to get involved- whether by joining as a member, signing up for a committee, attending our events, or simply sharing your ideas. It is together where we can build upon our legacy and create meaningful change… porque somos Boricuas, pa’ que tu lo sepas.

Thank you and I look forward to working alongside you to make this a year of growth, advocacy, and unity. 

Renier P. Pierantoni – 68th President

Puerto Rican Bar Association

Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund

 

"We are all well aware of the many responsibilities and challenges these positions entail and we are eager to get to work. In the end, we may not achieve everything we wish to accomplish, but, expect that with every PRBA member’s help, we will write another chapter in the long tradition of excellence of the PRBA."

— This, we believe is our responsibility, and right, as Puerto Rican lawyers and members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association.