The Hispanic Lawyer Association of Illinois (HLAI) is one of the largest state bar associations representing the interests of Hispanics in the legal profession. HLAI currently represents and serves the interests of approximately 300 attorneys, judges, and law students in Illinois who come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, South American and Central American legal practitioners and law students.
In 2004, HLAI established the JD Mentors Program with the goal of maximizing the number of Hispanics applying to law schools and cultivating the academic and professional success of those students. To accomplish this goal, the JD Mentors Program puts together three-person mentor groups, typically comprised of a college student, a law student and a practicing attorney, with similar career goals or interests. This three-tiered team mentoring approach is used in lieu of the traditional one-on-one mentor relationship because it allows each of the participants at different stages in their careers to add a unique and helpful component to the overall mentor-mentee relationship.
It is important to note that the “JD” in “JD Mentors,” not only stands for “Juris Doctor,” but is also an acronym for “juntos destacando,” which in Spanish means “advancing together.” Consequently, the name “JD Mentors” embodies the purpose and spirit of the program of “mentors helping each other to succeed.”
While each of the mentor groups are encouraged to get to know each other on an informal basis, HLAI also schedules periodic events that allow mentors and mentees to further cultivate their group relationships as well as meet other program participants. Past annual events include:
- New Participant Kickoff Reception
- Mentor/Mentee Luncheon
- Law School Crawl
- Day of the Dead Masquerade Ball
- Social/Cultural Outings (e.g., visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art and participating in an Earth DayHumboldt Park ) event in
- Pro Bono Legal Services Events
- Post-Bar Exam Cookout
The JD Mentors Program is an overwhelming success as demonstrated by the increasing interest of Hispanic students and attorneys in the program every year. This year, we have close to 150 active participants! To ensure its continuing success, the JD Mentors Program Committee conducts an annual review to confirm that the relevant needs of the program’s participants are being met and that the overall goal of diversifying the legal community is being furthered.
If you would like to participate in or learn more about, the program, contact Christina Lopez-Nutzman, or Olga Gutierrez. Together we can plant the seeds for the next generation of successful Hispanic attorneys!
To become a sponsor please donate via PayPal $ ,
or make a check payable to "HLAI Charities" and send it to: 
HLAI Charities
321 South Plymouth Court, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60604
HLAI Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the charitable arm of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.