In September 2006, Hernandez became the first Rutgers-Camden to be elected president of the Hispanic National Bar Associations law student division. During her third and final year as a Rutgers-Camden law student, Hernandez juggled her studies with her duties as a national law student leader.
She also maintained her most cherished role: mother of three children, Joseph, 13, Taylor, 6, and Kiara, 6.
Its been a hectic year, but Hernandez has no regrets. As president of the HNBAs law student division, she encouraged Latino/a law students nationwide to become involved in the HNBA and to engage in the social, political, and academic promotion of their communities and profession.
Her favorite accomplishment as president involved recruiting teams and volunteers for the Hispanic National Bar Associations Moot Court Competition. It took many months to plan, and it was grueling at times, but it was the greatest feeling to have 32 student teams from across the country participate, she recalls. It was an absolute honor to and privilege to see the talent, drive, and commitment that these student teams had.
Drive and commitment clearly characterize Hernandez, who found that her national leadership post became a source of pride for her community. I am constantly told that I am a positive role model for my children and the citizens of Camden, she reports. It reminds me that some sacrifices are worth it.
The HNBA law student division has more than 1,000 members across the county. Eighteen regional presidents represent the interests of their law students in their geographic area.
Her children will be cheering the loudest when she receives her Juris Doctor degree from the Rutgers-Camden law school on May 17. I have missed spending time with my children, as they have with me, she says.
The first thing my children said was, Now we can spend time with you. The second thing that my son said was Now you can work and we can have money, she laughs.
Hernandez will clerk for the Hon. Angelo DiCamillio in the family division at the Camden County Hall of Justice for one year. She intends to pursue a career in family law.
At the Rutgers-Camden law school, Hernandez has served as president of Alianza, the Latino/a law students organization. Through the Rutgers-Camden law schools pro bono programs in the areas of bankruptcy and domestic violence, she provides free assistance to citizens who otherwise would not have access to legal support.
Hernandez has earned numerous scholarships from such organizations as the Camden County Bar Association, the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Hispanic Bar Associations, and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund.
A resident of Camden, she received her bachelors and masters degrees in social work from Rutgers-Camden, and has served as a family service therapist for Burlington County. She intends to practice in the areas of criminal, family, and juvenile law.
The Hispanic National Bar Association consists of 25,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students committed to the increased representation of Hispanics in all sectors of the legal profession.
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