Mission and History

Find a Lawyer Upcoming Events News Fraud Prevention Donate

Our Mission

Since its inception in 2001, the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (LIHBA) has dedicated itself to promoting and fostering the advancement of the Long Island Hispanic legal profession as well as the Hispanic community as a whole.

Our History

In 2001, Family Court Magistrate Phil Goglas and a group of Hispanic attorneys came together with a vision: to create an organization that would support Hispanic legal professionals and protect the civil and political rights of the Hispanic community in Suffolk County. This led to the founding of the Suffolk County Hispanic Bar Association, with its first officers installed at an inaugural dinner in January 2002.

As the association grew, it expanded its reach beyond Suffolk. In 2004, a resolution was passed to reflect this broader mission, officially becoming the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (LIHBA) in 2005. Today, LIHBA represents over 100 attorneys, professionals, and law students from across Long Island and Queens, practicing in areas like immigration, family, criminal, commercial, patent, and employment law.

LIHBA continues to uplift the community through free legal seminars, CLEs, government and judicial networking, a referral hotline, and partnerships with advocacy groups. It proudly offers a paid internship program and scholarships to empower the next generation of Hispanic legal professionals.

Past Presidents

Oscar Michelen, Esq.

A seasoned litigator and partner at Cuomo LLC, Oscar Michelen has exonerated 9 wrongfully convicted individuals and taught law for over a decade. A former NYC chief trial attorney and expert witness, he also served as President of LIHBA and holds leadership roles in the Dominican-American legal community.

Hon. Veronica Renta Irwin

Now a Nassau County District Court Judge, Veronica Renta Irwin led LIHBA through the pandemic by expanding its online presence, scholarships, and advocacy. A Hofstra Law graduate and former private practitioner, she continues to mentor students and strengthen Latinx representation in law and government.

Liza Migrim-Reyes, Esq.

Liza is the first Hispanic partner at Sullivan Papain, known for securing seven-figure settlements in personal injury law. A Brooklyn native and St. John’s Law alum, she’s received numerous honors and led LIHBA with a focus on justice, advocacy, and mentorship for immigrant communities.

Hon. Linda Mejias-Glover

Judge Mejias-Glover made history as Nassau County’s first Latinx Family Court Judge and now serves on the NY Court of Claims. A Columbia Law graduate, she champions diversity in the legal field, youth mentorship, and community empowerment, with leadership roles across bar associations and nonprofits.

Hon. Helen Voutsinas

A trailblazer for Latinas in the judiciary, Judge Voutsinas was the first Latina elected to the NY Supreme Court on Long Island and now serves on the Appellate Division. She’s a mentor and community leader, deeply involved in advancing Latino representation in law and public service.

Frank Torres, Esq.

Frank Torres is an associate with Duffy & Duffy. He has more than 35 years of experience in the field of medical malpractice, nursing home, labor law/construction site accidents, products liability, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents and general personal injury matters.

Dr. Roy Aranda

Dr. Aranda obtained a Doctor of Psychology degree from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, in 1982. He also earned a 2-year post-doctoral degree in neuropsychology in 2001 and a law degree in 2007. Dr. Aranda has been a licensed psychologist in the State of New York since 1983.

Frank Valverde, Esq.

Frank A. Valverde focuses his practice on insurance coverage, insurance defense, and construction defect litigation. Frank represents the nation’s largest insurers in some of their most complex legal disputes, and has obtained numerous significant legal victories in state and federal courts throughout the nation.

Ray Negron, Esq.

Ray Negron is a Solo practitioner in Mt. Sinai, New York. Ray Negron is an Army Veteran and the recipient of a Purple Heart.

Richard Montes, Esq.

Richard J. Montes is a partner of Mauro Lilling Naparty LLP, the largest firm in the Northeast that handles appeals and litigation strategy. Since joining MLN seventeen years ago, Rich has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts. His expansive practice includes medical and other professional malpractice; construction law; employment law; general negligence; toxic tort; punitive damages; products liability; asbestos and commercial litigation.

Dave Mejias, Esq.

Attorney David Mejias is a managing partner with the Mejias Milgrim & Alvarado, P.C., law firm, which has offices in Glen Cove and Hempstead, New York. Serving individuals and families throughout Nassau County and all of Long Island and the rest of the state, Mr. Mejias focuses his practice primarily on family law and divorce as well as serious personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Cynthia Vargas, Esq.

Attorney Cynthia S. Vargas was born and raised in Bronx, New York, where she attended Public School 100, until moving to Long Island, where she graduated from Longwood High School. Cynthia pursued her higher education at State University of New York in Albany, where she received a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. She obtained her Juris Doctor in Law at Brooklyn Law School in 1992.

Hon. Hector LaSalle

The Hon. Hector D. LaSalle is the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, 2nd Department. He was appointed to the Appellate Division by Governor Andrew Cuomo in January 2014 as Associate Justice. His memberships have included the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Supreme Court Justices Association of the State of New York, the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association(past-president), and the Suffolk County Bar Association.

Hon. Phil Goglas

The Hon. Philip Goglas is a judge for the Suffolk County Court in the Tenth Judicial District of New York. He was erected to the County Court bench in 2015. That same year, Judge Goglas was appointed to serve as an acting judge for the Suffolk County Family Court by the Hon. A. Gail Prudenti, former Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York. Goglas came to the County Court after serving as an elected Judge of the Suffolk County District Court since 2011.

Mission and History

Our Mission

Our History

Past Presidents

Gallery

Newsletter Subscription