Counselor in the community

Leal hails new MALDEF leader Saenz

Francisco Leal of Leal-Trejo, P.C., would like to congratulate fellow Yale alumnus Thomas Saenz for his appointment as the new president and general counsel of MALDEF.

Leal firmly supports the educational aims of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund because he believes the group is positively affecting the lives of the community that he serves.

Leal notes that this is a great position for Saenz (pictured), whose history reflects a platform centered on education advocacy.

After attending both Yale University and Yale Law School, Saenz served as a law clerk to several judges.

Saenz first joined MALDEF as a staff attorney in 1993 because of his interest in immigration rights, eventually serving as head counsel for several years. He later served on various counsels and taught at several distinguished law schools.

Most recently, Saenz acted at counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. 

Saenz moves onto an even more prestigious position, with greater potential to help the community he serves.

Maywood Riverfront Park years in making

Maywood Riverfront Park, located along the Los Angeles River, recently celebrated its grand opening.

 This long-awaited celebration, on May 10, included music, food, and activities for all that enjoyed the afternoon. The 7.3-acre park is home to a bike path along the Los Angeles River, a children's play area, basketball courts and a picnic area with tables. 

The project, which started in 1993, has been several years in the making. It is a welcome addition to the community.  The park will benefit the 30,000 residents of Maywood, as well as bicylists and joggers who use the path adjacent to the L.A. River.

There were many obstacles to the park's opening from its inception. There were more than 12 years of environmental studies and cleanup, as well as parcel-acquisition difficulties.

  Six parcels from various companies had to be acquired, which included land that required the Environmental Protection Agency's approval, as well as a defunct railroad line parcel. Funding was made possible by city, state and federal governments, nonprofit organizations and private philanthropists, as well as donors in the community. 

  An additional challenge arose in 2005, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed allocated funding of $2 million from the California State Resource Agency, citing that these funds had not been used since 2000.

   Legislative Advocacy Group worked tirelessly to regain funding by meeting with many state officials and informing them that the funds actually were allocated in 2002. The Group was successful in securing funds with assurances to the Governor's office and the California State Resource Agency that this park would open in 2006.  Construction of the park was completed in the early part of 2006, with a scheduled grand opening of July 1, 2006. Due to community concerns about whether the park was safe to use and some political turmoil, the opening was delayed.

  These concerns were brought to the attention of the EPA, which was responsible for conducting the last cleanup phase.

 The EPA utilized a new and innovative technology known as a "electrical resistive heat system," a process that consists of heating the soil's subsurface. The benefit of utilizing thermal heating process is that soil and groundwater contamination is greatly reduced faster and cleaner compared with some of the older methods of treatment. In addition, the time required to reach cleanup goals is shorter.  The real benefit for the Pemaco Superfund Site was the ability of the thermal heating to cleanup contaminants trapped in some of the clay soils located in the subsurface. 

 With over $10 million invested in the project and the need to ensure that Maywood Riverfront Park opened on time, Legislative Advocacy Group worked aggressively to communicate with the Maywood City Council, the EPA and with Supervisor Gloria Molina's office to avoid any interruption in funding already allocated to the project prior to its May 10  opening. 

 Francisco Leal, principal of Legislative Advocacy Group, said, "Riverfront Park has been a long-awaited and necessary addition for the residents of this community. 

 Legislative Advocacy Group is proud to be a part of making this opening possible." With over 30,000 residents, the City of Maywood is one of the most densely populated cities in California. The state standard recommends that communities should have 4 acres of parks or open space per every 1,000 in population. According to this standard, the City of Maywood parks should have a minimum of 120 acres of open space.  Maywood has a mere 5.8 acres of park space currently available.  Moreover, the closest substantial public open space is in the City of Long Beach, approximately 12 miles south of Maywood Riverfront Park. 

 Although the park will not bring Maywood anywhere near the state standard, the park will help alleviate pressure on the two existing city parks.

 "Our community is truly deserving of this beautiful park and all that it has to offer," said Maywood City Council Member Thomas Martin. "It is a welcome addition that everyone can enjoy." 

Maywood Riverfront Park is located at the corners of Slauson Boulevard and Alamo Street in the City of Maywood, and is part of the 51-mile Los Angeles River Greenway Project. It is the newest of several parks along the southern portion of the Los Angeles River, from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach.

Francisco Leal hosts fundraiser for Jovenes Inc.

Francisco Leal, Managing Director for the law firm Leal-Trejo, hosted an annual charity fundraising event at his Hancock Park home in honor of the non-profit organization Jovenes Inc.  

Jovenes provides youth and community services, specializing in culturally appropriate services for homeless and low-income Latinos.

 Attending this great event on May 4 were L.A. Council Member Jose Huizar and his family.

Council Member Huizar expressed his continuing support for this community-based organization, which is located within his 14th District's boundaries.

Among other distinguished guests enjoying the afternoon were Father Richard Estrada, Founder of Jovenes Inc., and Ernesto Montano, Executive Director for the organization, as well as several invited friends. 

 

Guests were entertained by special guest emcee actor Herbert Sigueza of Culture Clash, a prominent Chicano/Latino performance troupe based in San Francisco. 

An appearance by the "Peace Bus" was celebrated with a special blessing given by Father Estrada.

 "This is an afternoon of excitement and encouragement for this wonderful organization and the community it serves," host Francisco Leal said.

(Photos: Top left: Francisco Leal, Father Estrada and young friend. Above right: Council Member Huizar and Father Estrada.)

Leal law firm rewards promising Latinas

Four well-deserving and very excited young ladies experienced a memorable opportunity March 14: Being among several prominent Latinas during the 17th annual Latina History Day Conference.

The event was started by the nonprofit organization Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Latina History Day celebrates the accomplishments of Latina leaders. It provides forums on career development, addresses community issues and provides financial empowerment for the Latina community.

This year’s event was at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Rosenda Morales, Irene Rocha, Diana Sanchez and Carina Santacruz were selected to attend the conference through the sponsorship of the law firm of Leal-Trejo, LLP.

Francisco Leal, managing partner of Leal-Trejo, said: "It was an honor to sponsor these young ladies for such a great event, which provides them with an opportunity to hear from and interact with leaders within their respective communities and encourages them to set high goals for themselves as well."

The event included keynote speaker Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (pictured), the best-selling author whose works include "Playing with Boys" and "The Dirty Girls Social Club."

Valdes-Rodriguez was named one of Time magazine’s top 25 influential Hispanics in America, as well as being honored as Latina Magazine's "Woman of the Year." Also speaking that day were Emmy Award winner Jackie Guerra, Dr. Julie Mendoza, Dr. Juan Sanchez and many other prominent Latino Leaders.

The four future leaders are members of the Women’s Club of Huntington Park and were represented under the leadership of Ofelia Hernandez, council member for the City of Huntington Park and co-founder of the Women’s Club, and Guadalupe Crystal Morales, president of the organization.

“The Women’s Club empowers young Latinas and assists them so they can sharpen their skills as leaders in their communities,” Morales said. The Women’s Club has taken the responsibility of mentoring the winner of the Miss Huntington Park USA 2007 contest by emphasizing the value of education, community and integrity.

These young ladies are no strangers to hard work and are dedicated to their dreams:

• Rosenda Morales is currently at Huntington Park High School and has already been accepted to some of the top universities in California. She is interested in becoming a pediatrician.
• Irene Rocha attends UCLA and looks forward to becoming a lawyer.
• Diana Sanchez will graduate from Huntington Park High School this year and is excited about working in the medical field.
• Carina Santacruz attends Cerritos College and looks forward to becoming a professional photographer.

These committed Latinas continue to be actively involved in the community and are dedicated to making a difference as future leaders.