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Dominican Bar Association
DOMINICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
MISSION
For those Dominicans pursuing a career in the Legal field the Dominican Bar Association (DBA) helps get loans for studying, transfer degrees for licensing in America, and safeguards the civil rights of the Dominican and Latin communities. The DBA partners with other Bar associations to create a network of opportunities.
HISTORY
The Dominican Bar Association began mainly because of a huge influx of Dominican immigrants during the 1960’s and 1970’s who left professional careers – such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers – in the Dominican Republic in search for a better life in the United States.
After their arrival to New York City, however, they immediately ran into obstacles. The professional licenses obtained in the Dominican Republic were not accepted by the State of New York, and they had to go back to school to be recertified and relicensed. Many spent a good sum of their savings on the move to America, and thus could not afford to go back to college. The Dominican professional community began to hold meetings to discuss how they could make the transition. These meetings were initially held in local restaurants and homes of members of the community, but in 1982, first organization of Dominican lawyers was formed. It was the Dominican American Lawyers Association (DALA).
Several years later four Dominican attorneys began to meet and discuss the creation of an organization dedicated solely to the interests of Dominican lawyers, law students and the legal interests of the Latino community within the State of New York.
Interview:
What does the Dominican legal field do for members of the Dominican community?
-“Well basically it helps Domincans whether they are pursuing a degree in
Law or they currently have a degree but it is not being honored in the United States. The Bar Association helps transfer this degree so they can be fully licensed in the U.S. There is a massive network of Dominican lawyers in the New York area that help each other and help new members of the association. The network is constantly increasing. In essence, not only do we try to assist Dominicans that try to pursue a career in law, but we also try to supply our services to Dominicans in need of legal assistance”
What does it mean to be a lawyer in the Dominican community?
- “ I know that by being a part of this organization I can help address issues
of concern to many Dominicans and even other Latino groups in the United States. Not only does this association help me continue working on my professional career and assists in any which way possible but it also allows me to be involved in helping other Dominicans in need.”
Where you born in the United States or in the Dominican Republic?
- “I was born Santo Domingo and my family moved to the States when I was three years old.”
When you came to America, what neighborhood did you live in?
- “Washington Heights. We moved in with my uncle, who was living here
for 8 years already. He helped us rent an apartment ”
If you were asked to identify yourself, would you say you are Dominican, American, or Dominican-American?
- “Dominican-American.” Although I was raised in American since a very young age, and am acculturated with American culture, traditions, and ways of life, the fact that a majority of my friends and clients are Dominicans brings me very close to my roots as a Dominican.”
Do you keep in touch with the relatives or friends that live in the Dominican Republic?
- “As I stated before I left the Domincan Republic at a very young age so I practically had no friends there but I have tons of family still in the Dominican Republic. My parents call back home all the time, but I just call on special occasions, like a holiday”
Do you feel pressured to keep traditions at home, and drop some of those
traditions outside of home?
- “I delightfully indulge in Dominican food, listen to Dominican music, and celebrate Dominican holidays and this has never interfered with my living an American lifestyle.
What inspired you to go on the legal career path?
- “Growing up in Washington Heights, I often saw that my parents and their friends, my neighbors, and my friends have often collided with the law. This was not because they were criminals, but more because they did not know the law. I decided that I could be of value to the Dominican community as a lawyer and could not disregard the fact that I would have no problem finding clients.”
From what college did you graduate?
-“I finished a high school with an inclination for humanitarian studies. Due to good grades, I was rewarded a full scholarship to the undergraduate program at Fordham University."
Do you think you have more opportunities than your parents, and do you think
your kids will have more opportunities than yourself?
“When we came to America, we were not very rich, but I overcame all the obstacles that were put before me, which leads me to believe that America offers equal opportunities for all regardless of economic status”