AHS Alumnus Becomes First Latino State Bar President

DENISE TIEU
News Editor

AHS alumnus Luis J. Rodriguez will be the first Latino and public defender to be inducted as the 89th president of the California State Bar. The inauguration will take place during Oct. in San Jose at the State Bar’s Annual Meeting.

Rodriguez is currently the Vice President of the State Bar. He ran unopposed and was elected to a one-year term of presidency by the Board of Trustees on July 19.

“I’m the first Latino and that’s something to celebrate, especially in the state of California, but at the same time, it’s a stark reminder of how long it takes for certain groups to move up and become part of the leadership of the community,” Rodriguez said, according to dailynews.com. “It’s an opportunity to show everybody that, given the opportunity, we can provide and give as much as anyone else for the betterment of our community.”

In 1994, Rodriguez passed the State Bar and joined the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and has been there ever since, defending underprivileged adults and children charged with crimes.

Rodriguez is no stranger to being a leader. He served as the president of the Mexican-American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, president of the California La Raza Lawyers Association and president of the Latino Public Defenders Association. Rodriguez is also a member of the California State Board of Education and chairman of the State Bar of California’s Council on Access and Fairness.

According to The State Bar of California, Rodriguez plans to guarantee that California courts are funded and that the public will be protected from immigration frauds from attorneys. Rodriguez hopes to inspire current AHS students and gives this advice.

“The respect of others and hard work always benefit one as an individual and adds to a better society,” Rodriguez said.