Círculo de la Hispanidad 43rd Anniversary Spring Gala

Círculo de la Hispanidad 2023 Honoree

Círculo de la Hispanidad 2023 Honoree

H arris B each PLLC Andrew D. Komaromi, Esq Jack M. Martins, Esq.

L ong I sland H ispanic B ar A ssociation

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O UR MISSION Since its inception in 2001, the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (LIHBA) has dedicated itself to promoting and fostering the advancement of the Long Island Hispanic legal profession as well as the Hispanic community as a whole. OUR HISTORY Pioneers worked hard to give the association life and viability… In 2001, former Family Court Magistrate Phil Goglas and a handful of Hispanic attorneys met to discuss the formation of the Suffolk County Hispanic Bar Association. At that meeting, the attorneys agreed that the time had come for Hispanic attorneys in Suffolk to integrate and form an association that would dedicate itself to the science of jurisprudence, and the protection of civil and political rights of the Hispanic community in the county, as well as the community at large. With these objectives in mind, the attorneys founded the Suffolk County Hispanic Bar Association, and on January 17, 2002, we had our inaugural dinner where Phil Goglas was installed as president, Robert Garcia was named Vice President, Noel Bonilla was named Secretary, and Aletha Fields Ferraro was named Treasurer. These pioneers worked hard to give the association life and viability, and through their efforts, it slowly took form and evolved into the association it is today. In 2004, the association passed a resolution to change the name from the Suffolk County Hispanic Bar Association to the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (LIHBA) so that we could encourage the Hispanic attorneys in Nassau to join us. In 2005, the new name became official, and with this change, more Hispanic attorneys from all over Long Island have joined. We now have over 100 attorney, professional and law student members from the East End of Long Island to Queens. Our attorney members work in all areas of law, including Immigration Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Patent Law, Employment Law, Commercial Law, Tax Law, and Appeals. Over the years the LIHBA has increased its outreach and involvement in the Hispanic Community. The LIHBA has conducted free community education seminars, provided continuing legal education programs, networking events with members of the government and the judiciary and developed a referral hotline and has worked with other advocacy groups and government officials to address some of the systemic problems encountered by Hispanics on Long Island. The LIHBA also provides an outstanding paid internship program to law school students and most recently will be giving substantial scholarships to deserving students. The LIHBA is continually offering educational seminars, career improvement workshops, and networking events to develop and strengthen the economic opportunities within the Hispanic legal and business community. Through internship programs and the scholarship fund, the LIHBA also seeks to encourage and empower young Hispanic professionals to become leaders in their respective fields. The LIHBA strives to elevate the Hispanic community by educating them on their rights and building relationships. The LIHBA also provides charitable support to the community throughout the year.

F ounded in 1856, Harris Beach provides legal services to clients across New York state, as well as nationally and internationally. Harris Beach is among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Principal industries Harris Beach represents include cannabis, education, energy, financial, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, real estate developers, science and technology, state and local governments and authorities. Our more than 210 lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, and White Plains, as well as from offices in Washington, D.C. New Haven, Connecticut and Newark, New Jersey. Our Long Island office is located at 333 Earle Ovington Blvd., Suite 901, Uniondale, New York 11553. Partner Andrew Komaromi focuses on public finance and economic development matters with an emphasis on revenue backed finance transactions and economic development tax incentives in the areas of health care, education, housing, transportation and infrastructure, as well as Industrial Development Agencies and companies accessing tax-incentive programs in economic development projects. Partner Jack Martins primarily handles construction and real estate matters, helping clients to bring their projects from the initial planning stages through completion. Jack has served as an elected representative for more than a decade, in both local and state government. Jack’s background in the public and private sectors gives him a unique perspective to advise clients in strategically navigating their operational challenges on Long Island and across New York state. For more information, go to www.harrisbeach.com.

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