The Hispanic/Latin American Affinity Group was created to serve as a forum for members to exchange ideas and information relevant to their experiences as diverse attorneys. The group supports the Bass, Berry & Sims diversity and inclusion initiative by fostering an environment and culture for the personal and professional development of our attorneys.

At Bass, Berry & Sims, we are implementing our affinity groups in a unique way. Rather than have our Hispanic/Latin American Affinity Group operate in a standalone manner, the group is closely tied to the firm’s leadership and its overall commitment to real progress in diversity and inclusion.

Programs and Activities

The Hispanic/Latin American Affinity group plans to actively participate in a number of programs, activities, sponsorships and organizations — as well as pro bono and community service efforts that benefit the broader community.

The group’s goals also include supporting the advancement of our attorneys and assisting in recruiting activities by cultivating relationships with diverse bar organizations and community organizations.

• In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month 2023, we interviewed Alfonso Cuen, a newly hired law clerk who is awaiting his bar exam results. In the interview, Alfonso talks about his Hispanic heritage, his work in the education field before attending law school, and his pro bono internship with the firm in the spring of 2022. Read his full interview here.
• On October 17, 2022, professionals from Bass, Berry & Sims attended the YCAP Champions Lunch. YMCA Community Action Project (Y-CAP) helps underserved students across Middle Tennessee claim a brighter future by offering safe spaces with caring adults to provide academic, social, emotional, and spiritual support. The firm is a long-time supporter of YCAP and its Black and Latino Achievers Programs.  Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Ginette Garza Brown is on the YCAP board and provided the closing remarks at the lunch. In addition to Ginette, Bass, Berry & Sims representatives at the luncheon included Liat Martinez, Maureen Robbins, Melisa Wimsatt and Michele Bendekovic.
• On September 28, 2022, our Hispanic/Latin American Affinity Group hosted a reception in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office for the Latino Law Student Association groups at the Columbus School of Law – The Catholic University of America, Georgetown Law, and the George Washington University Law School. Members of our affinity group and attorneys from the D.C. office welcomed the students at the event.

  

   

• On December 4, 2019, the Nashville Hispanic Bar Association held their Cafecito & CLE event at Bass, Berry & Sims featuring a discussion around the current legal issues affecting the Hispanic community in Nashville. The panelists included: David Esquivel — Bass, Berry & Sims Pro Bono Member served as the moderator; Judge Ana L. Escobar — General Sessions Court, Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County; Leon Berrios — Attorney with Family Mediation Center; and Mary Kathryn Harcombe — Legal Director at Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition.

Leadership

Lymari Martinez Cromwell co-chairs the Hispanic/Latin American Affinity Group.