March 10, 2007 – The Oklahoma Hispanic Bar Network is organizing a group to actively promote economic, social, political and educational advancement within the Oklahoma Hispanic community.

The first meeting will be held Wednesday, April 4, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Oklahoma Bar Center in Oklahoma City and Tulsa County Bar Center in Tulsa. Lawyers, judges and law students who are of Hispanic descent or who have an interest in issues that involve the Hispanic community are invited. If you are interested in attending, contact Saul Olivarez at (405) 227-9700 or saul.olivarez@gmail.com.

Mr. Olivarez said anyone can attend the meeting, even if they are not Hispanic.

“I want all to come. It's so important to me that the OHBN is an inclusive, not exclusive, group. Why? Because it betters us all to work together. So basically if you serve or have an interest in serving the Hispanic community or are of Hispanic descent, then join the network,” he said.

At its first meeting, Mr. Olivarez said he wants an open dialogue with new members about the group’s official name, mission statement and how the group can reach out to the community. The OHBN will also elect officers, write bylaws and have an annual membership fee, he said. The group will try to schedule monthly meetings.

“There's a tremendous need for this group in Oklahoma. Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the state. It is only necessary and proper that the community have access to a group of legal professionals who openly cater to their needs and interests,” Mr. Olivarez said.

He said the idea for the OHBN came to him during law school when he was active in OCU’s Hispanic Law Student Association.

“One of the first projects I'd like to see would be to have at least one OHBN member in every county of the state. The important thing is that the Hispanic community has a legal resource to go to,” Mr. Olivarez said.

Future projects the OHBN plans to undertake include seminars educating Hispanics about their legal rights, assisting them with business planning and advising them on immigration matters. Additionally, the OHBN would like to form partnerships with the State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, League of United Latin American Citizens and the Latino Community Development Agency.

Mr. Olivarez said the Hispanic community has the same concerns as everyone else in the state, especially immigration, health care, education, the economy and discrimination.

The OHBN will bring a sense of accountability to attorneys assisting the Hispanic community, he said.

“You always hear stories of those bad apples that can tarnish the reputation of our profession and cause mistrust. By creating the network and informing the Hispanic community about our purpose, they will have a resource that they can trust. Now, this doesn't guarantee there will be no bad apples, but it allows them to know that there is a group out there to help them,” Mr. Olivarez said.

Another project the OHBN will pursue is encouraging more Latinos to enter the legal profession. This can be accomplished through mentoring programs, classroom presentations and educating parents about the importance of education, Mr. Olivarez said.

“Hispanics are a hard-working, determined people and if given the chance, they will succeed,” he said.