CONTENTS:

1. Message from CABA
2. Upcoming CABA Events
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
4. CABA Pro Bono Project
5. Members in the News
6. Other News
7. Committees
8. Court Appointments
9. CABA Briefs Advertising
10. Job Postings

I. MESSAGE FROM CABA

I am honored to be standing before you today, as the incoming president of the Cuban American Bar Association, and am deeply humbled to be following in the sizable footsteps of the distinguished ladies and gentlemen who have served before me. I will do my best to serve CABA faithfully and diligently, always keeping at the forefront of my mind the underlying principle of our organization, that of committed service to others.

CABA was founded in 1974 by a small group of 20 or so lawyers who shared a common belief that our profession needed to be as inclusive and diverse as the community which it served. Accordingly, CABA's membership is open to attorneys from all walks of life, irrespective of race, creed, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. CABA is enriched by every one of its members; each of whom brings his or her own perspective, insight and experience to bear on the organization and its activities within our community. It is this commitment to inclusivity and diversity that has paved the way to where we find ourselves today.

And while our efforts are praiseworthy, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. From the comfort of Miami-Dade County, it sometimes isn't obvious to many of our members that a great deal remains to be done throughout our great state. Together, the esteemed attorneys and jurists that make up the Cuban American Bar Association must together face this challenge and strive to extend diversity, equality of opportunity, and equality of access to jurisdictions far beyond South Florida.

Notably, CABA's current mission statement provides that we will promote equality of our members; serve the public interest by increasing awareness to the study of jurisprudence; foster respect for the law; preserve high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among our peers; provide equal access to and adequate representation of minorities before the courts; facilitate the administration of justice; build close relationships among our members; support our community's indigent population; and increase diversity in the judiciary and legal community. It is these ideals that set us apart from other civic organizations, and bind us together as one. It is the sentiments expressed in our mission statement that describe the very challenges that we continue to face today, and these are made all the more salient by the economic crisis in which we find ourselves. The State of Florida, more so than most other states, has suffered the consequences of the economic crisis in ways that reach each and every one of us, but none more than the least of our brothers and sisters. It is for this reason that access to competent counsel and access to the courts is more critical today than ever before. Justice can never be fair unless access is open to all, and CABA must be prepared to meet this challenge head-on. I look forward to humbly leading our organization in this endeavor in the year ahead. The challenge is daunting, but the cause is virtuous, and I ask for God's support and blessing that I may be granted the wisdom and judgment to advance the cause to the best of my ability. And I look forward to working with you all in making 2009 another great year for CABA, and the community we serve.
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II. UPCOMING CABA EVENTS

HNBA's Commission on Latinas in the Profession - Focus Group

CABA is co-hosting this event with the HNBA on March 5, 2009, Adorno & Yoss, 2525 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 400, Coral Gables, Florida 33134, (305) 460-1000. Space is limited to 15 participants; confirmation is required by Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 For additional information, please contact Commission Co-Chairs at: datencio@gcrlegal.com at (303) 292, 6545 or clarissa.cerda@gmail.com at (480) 457-5376.If you are unable to participate in the focus group but are interested in the national survey, please email your interest to yrico@ccsnco.org. For more information see attached Announcement.

Hispanic National Bar Association After-Party

CABA is hosting an After-Party as part of the HNBA Mid-Year Meeting. March 5, 2009 at Novecento (900) Cafe . Restaurant . Bar, 121 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, Florida
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III. UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST

8th Annual Co-Ed Softball Tournament

Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th Street, Miami, Florida.

Kiwanis Club Little Havana 8K RUN

Friday, February 27, 2009 6:45 p.m
Brickell Ave & SW 8TH St.

Building Trial Skills: Florida

NITA - National Institute for Trial Advocacy
February 28, 2009 - March 7, 2009

Director: Mark M. Dobson

Hispanic National Bar Association Mid Year Conference

The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is having its 14th Annual Mid Year Conference and National Moot Court Competition in Miami, Florida, March 5-7, 2009. The Conference offers instructional courses and ample opportunities for networking for both legal professionals and law students. This year's Conference speakers include many prominent practitioners and judges, as well as some of our country's most prominent Latino in-house leaders, including the General Counsel of Office Depot, MasTec, and Elizabeth Arden and senior lawyers from AT&T, Bank United, Cargill, Chevron, DuPont, Exxon Mobil, Liberty Mutual, Pitney Bowes and U-Haul. In-house counsel from many other companies will participate in the HNBA's first ever speed networking event. Come to Miami to build relationships and forge success! Visit the Hispanic National Bar Association for registration and conference details. For questions or partnership opportunities, contact Richard Lorenzo, 2009 Mid Year Conference Chair at RLorenz@hhlaw.com.

Miami Dade Bridge Youth and Family Services

April 4, 2009
A Secret Garden
Club 50 on the Rooftop Of the Viceroy Hotel in Brickell
Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services

INVESTITURES

Jorge E. Cueto February 20, 2009 Circuit Court Judge
Migna Sanchez-Llorens February 27, 2009 Circuit Court Judge
Yvonne Colodny March 13, 2009 Circuit Court Judge
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IV. CABA Pro Bono Project

CABA's Pro Bono Project is still in need of volunteers willing to take on a pro bono matter in the following areas: family law, immigration, real estate litigation, estate planning, probate and guardianship. If interested please e-mail Pro Bono Chair, Sandra M. Ferrera at sferrera@melandrussin.com.
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V. MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Marlene Quintana, Immediate Past President of CABA, and a shareholder and attorney at Gray Robinson, P.A., was appointed by Governor Crist to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission for a term beginning December 29, 2008 and ending July 10, 2012.

This is a section dedicated to news about CABA members' marriages, births, achievements, and appointments. If you are interested in contributing to this section please email Nicole Mestre at nem@mestrelaw.com.
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VI. OTHER NEWS

Lourdes Academy "We the People" Team

Lourdes Academy "We the People" Team needs your support to send their 19 students (including the daughter of Judge Bertila Soto and granddaughter of one of CABA's founders, Osvaldo Soto) and teacher/coach Mrs. Rosie Heffernan to Washington, D.C. in late April to compete in the National Competition of We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution, a mock congressional hearing that tests the students' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution . The Team needs to raise $15,000.00 to make it to Washington, D.C. Sponsorship will be noted on the National Competition program, in any publicity that they receive locally, and included in school mailings to the parents of students and alumnae of Lourdes Academy. If you can help them, your contribution check should be made payable to "Lourdes Academy (We the People)." For more information, please see the attached letter.
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VII. COMMITTEES:

CABA needs you! CABA encourages each of its members to participate in one of our many committees. Below is a list of the various committees available for our members to participate in. If interested please contact CABA's Vice-Presidents, Manuel L. Crespo, Jr., via e-mail at manny@mannycrespo.com or Sandra M. Ferrera at sferrera@melandrussin.com. We look forward to your anticipated participation!

Broward Liaison
Co-Chairs: Raul Chacon
Nelson Bellido

CABA Briefs
Editor in Chief: Augusto Lopez
Chair: Manny Crespo

ABA on Cuba
Co-Chairs: Manuel L. Garcia-Linares
Javier Lopez

Coalition of Hispanic Bars
Co-Chairs: Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr.
Manuel L. Garcia-Linares

Community Liaison
Chair: Annie Hernandez
Vice-Chair: Monica Segura

Corporate Governance
Chair: Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz
Vice-Chair: Victoria Mendez

Events
Chair: Monica Gordo
Vice-Chair: Monica Segura
Diversity and Judicial Poll
Chair: Ricardo Martinez-Cid
Vice-Chair: Victoria Mendez

Legislative
Chair: Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz
Vice-Chair: Victoria Mendez

Membership
Co-Chairs: Annie Hernandez
Manny Crespo

Mentoring/Scholarship
Chair: Raul Chacon
Vice-Chair: Victoria Mendez

Pro Bono
Chair: Sandra M. Ferrera
Vice-Chairs: Ricardo Martinez-Cid
Annie Hernandez

Website/Que Pasa CABA
Co-Chairs: Manny Crespo
Nicole Mestre

Young Lawyers
Co-Chairs: Javier Lopez
Monica Segura
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VIII. COURT APPOINTMENTS

If you are interested in being considered for a Court Appointment as a Receiver, Guardian, etc., please forward the position(s) you seek to be considered for, statement of qualifications and curriculum vitae to Raul Chacon via e-mail at rchacon@houckanderson.com.
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IX. CABA BRIEFS ADVERTISING

CABA Briefs is a great way for you to communicate with our membership. Please view our fantastic advertising rates below.

• Page Size Size in Inches 1X 2X 3X 4X
• Page 7.5 x 10 $1500 1350 1200 1050
• 1/2 Page (H) 4.75 x 7.5 $ 750 675 600 525
• 1/2 Page (H) 3.50 x 4.75 $ 475 430 380 333

Are you interested in advertising? For more information, please contact Editor: Augusto Lopez via e-mail at alopez@smgqlaw.com.
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X. CABA JOB POSTINGS

Please check www.cabaonline.com for current job postings.
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