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Mission


Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association (SCCLRLA) is a regional nonprofit association based in Santa Clara County, California. SCCLRLA’s mission is to advance the professional, cultural, economic, and civic interests of the Latinx community while strengthening leadership, opportunity, and representation within the legal profession. The Association elevates issues affecting the Latino community in Santa Clara County and throughout the broader legal community. SCCLRLA serves attorneys, judges, and law students, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, by fostering professional development, mentorship, advocacy, and meaningful participation in the legal field. The Association is not organized for the private gain of any individual and operates in furtherance of its mission to strengthen leadership, opportunity, and representation within the legal profession. Our organization is committed to:
  • Providing a forum for communication among attorneys interested in promoting the profession advancement of the Hispanic/Latino community.
  • Providing a mechanism for concerted action in support of the cultural values, economic interests and social dignity of the Hispanic/Latino community. 
  • Enhancing the technical skills of Hispanic/Latino attorneys through sponsorship and promotion of continuing legal education programs.
  • Promoting the visibility, impact and election or appointment of political candidates, judicial candidates and public officials who advance and promote the interests of the Hispanic/Latino community.
  • Accomplishing all other things necessary and appropriate for the advancement of these purposes and the welfare of its members.  
If you are an attorney or law student in the Bay Area who is committed to advancing the Latino community and strengthening the legal profession, we invite you to join the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association.


La Raza General Meetings typically take place on the THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH.


History


In 1976, three Latino attorneys in Santa Clara County, Eugene Flemate, Robert Jaramillo, and Sid Flores, recognized that Latinx lawyers in the region were few in number and often professionally isolated. They understood that strengthening Latino representation in the legal profession would require mentorship, collective action, and a commitment to supporting the next generation of attorneys.

After meeting informally several times, they convened the first general meeting in 1976 of what would become the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association, SCCLRLA. Among those in attendance was Alfredo "Al" Morales, then a law student. Early gatherings were held at local offices and restaurants in Santa Clara and San Jose, where members built community and laid the foundation for a lasting institution.

By 1981, SCCLRLA hosted its first large public event in San Jose, organized in part by Alfredo Morales, reflecting the Association’s growing presence and leadership within the broader community. Throughout the 1980s, SCCLRLA continued to expand its membership, honor its past presidents, and strengthen its role in advancing opportunity and representation within the legal profession.

In 1991, several trailblazing members envisioned a formal annual dinner that would celebrate Latino excellence within the bar and bench. That event became a cornerstone tradition of the Association and helped solidify its role as a visible civic and professional institution in Santa Clara County.

In 1998, SCCLRLA identified a critical need to support Bay Area Latino law students and began providing grants to those whose service advanced social, cultural, economic, and legal equality for underserved communities. To expand and sustain this work, the Association established the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Charitable Foundation in 2006 as a separate and independent 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s founding members included the Honorable Jesus Valencia, Christopher J. Arriola, Tamara Lopez, Richard Alvarez, Robert Fabela, Dorianna Romero Phihon, and Sylvia V. Perez-MacDonald.

Planned and executed by an all volunteer board and supported by grassroots community efforts, the Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Dinner has grown steadily over the years. To date, it has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to over 110 Bay Area Latino law students.

As of 2025, SCCLRLA has slightly over 100 active members and continues to advance mentorship, professional development, civic leadership, and representation within the legal profession. What began in 1976 as a small gathering of committed attorneys has become a lasting institution dedicated to strengthening both the Latino community and the legal profession in Santa Clara County.


La Raza Charitable Foundation Website

Past Presidents

2025

Stephanie Roque-Hurtado


2024

Carlos Rosario


2023

Bianca A. Garcia


2021-2022

Hon. Ralph Robles Jr.


2020

Hon. Micael “Mica” Estremera


2019

Aaron Flemate


2017- 2018

Susana Inda

2015- 2016

Eugene Flemate

2014

Carmen Rosas


2013

Patricia Castorena



2012

J. Carlos Orellana


2011

Hon. Micael “Mica” Estremera


2010

Alvaro Almanza


2009

Socorro Gonzalez


2008

Tamara Lopez 


2007

Jessica Valenzuela

2003-2005

Hon. Jesus Valencia


2003

Andrew Gonzalez 


2002

Richard Alvarez


2001

Sylvia Perez-MacDonald


2000

Chris Arriola


1999

Luz Maria Solis

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