4 HBAA Law School Student Scholars to Watch

About HBAA

HBAA (The Hispanic Bar Association of Austin) is "an organization of Latino lawyers who volunteer their time and energy towards the betterment of the Hispanic community in central Texas." It is an affiliate of the Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas as well as the Hispanic National Bar Association. Prior to being founded as HBAA in 1995, the organization was the Capital Area Mexican-American Lawyers (CAMAL). The organization is made up of members of the legal profession, which includes law students, local attorneys, government officials, law professors, legislators, judges, and lobbyists. Other members of the legal profession are also welcomed to join the organization. HBAA's mission statement is:

"To foster and encourage the involvement and interest of the Hispanic-American legal professional community in civic, professional, social, educational, charitable, governmental, and non-partisan political issues with a goal toward the betterment and enhancement of all members of the organization and the Austin area Hispanic community."

The Scholars 

The following are four law school students awarded scholarships by HBAA Foundation. Additionally, the HBAA Foundation awarded scholarships to 3 undergraduate students.

Lucie Arvallo

Lucie is in her third year of law school at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Throughout her law school experience, Lucie has succeeded academically and has proved her hard work in order to achieve her goals. In addition to her hard academic work, she has volunteered with her university to help feed the homeless at the St. Mary's Wellness Resource Outreach center.

Trevor Vega 

Trevor is in his third year of law school at the University of Texas School of Law, where he has proved to be an outstanding student. His first year he finished in the top 25% of his class, and he continued that trend by finishing his second year with a high GPA. In the summer, Trevor volunteered with Woolson Real Estate, helping families that still needed assistance after the horrible effects of Hurricane Harvey by cleaning yards and providing families with clothes and other items.

Nathan Salazar

Nathan is in his third year of law school at the Michigan State College of Law, where he has been working diligently to earn high marks. In the last school year, Nathan mentored and assisted a high school student regarding his college applications at Sidney Lanier High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Liz Moreno

Liz is in her third year of law school at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where she has been able to volunteer and thrive academically. During the spring semester, she volunteered once a week at Talcott Elementary by reading to 3rd graders. On campus at the School of Law, she is participating in the Juvenile Justice Clinic, serving as a 3L representative in the Student Bar Association.

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We cannot wait to see these bright students graduate in May 2019.

Scholar Stories: Nathan Salazar

Nathan Salazar is a current HSC Scholar from Lubbock, TX. He is pursuing a Master of Arts in Political Science at Texas State University. His expected graduation rate is May 2015. He is a recepient of the "State Representative Irma Rangel Memorial Scholarship."

"HSC and the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin have and continue to play an integral part in my pursuit of higher education.Both, HSC and the HBAA, understand the importance of taking the time to listen to their members; thus allowing them to enlist future leaders from a diverse set of backgrounds. This time investment has been crucial to my success because it has allowed me to tell my story, as a Texan with Mexican roots, from a low-income community."


Regardless of being a first generation college student, Nathan overcame many obstacles in order to achieve successfully. 

"For the most part, I have faced many obstacles as a first generation college student. For me, a major issue I have overcame is the awareness of the numberless resources available to students. From emotional guidance to financial aid advice, students must make themselves aware of how the hidden and inner workings of higher education operate. Doing so, has allowed me to adapt and use education as a tool. A tool that I have learned to use at its upmost effectiveness to achieve my duty as a productive, pro-active member of my community."


Other than being a full-time student, Nathan stays actively involved at Texas State University by completing internships, serving as a writing tutor, and staying involved with Leadership programs. "Currently, I am involved in Texas State’s Leadership Capstone Program, which is geared towards exploring the complexities of leadership.Thus far, the program has allowed me to refine my leadership skills in preparing myself for future leadership roles and has given me the opportunity to continue service to others."


In the future, Nathan hopes to go to Law School and study international law and Human Rights to become a practicing lawyer. After Law school, Nathan hopes to go back to school and attain a PhD in Political Science.

To help fund Nathan's dream of going to Law School, please donate here.

Scholar Stories: Adrianne Waddell

Adrianne is a third-year law student at the University of Texas School of Law with an interest in Oil and Gas Law, Environmental Law, and Intellectual Property Law. She received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rice University in 2012. Adrianne has been an HSC Scholar since 2008. As an undergraduate student, she received the Hispanic Chamber Foundation Scholarship through the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Upon entering law school, she was awarded the State Representative Irma Rangel Memorial Scholarship funded by the Hispanic Bar Association- Austin. 

Adrianne at Rice graduation.

"HSC has supported my goals throughout my undergraduate and graduate career. HSC has enabled me to achieve these goals through it's leadership programming, support, and amazing network of professionals and resources.  My success as a student, leader, and professional are in part due to my experience as an HSC Scholar."

While in law school, Adrianne has served as President of the Chicano Hispanic Law Students’ Association and is currently Development Editor of the Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal. Adrianne has clerked for the Travis County District Courts and Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody in Austin, TX. Prior to her third year, she will be working as a legal intern for Pioneer Natural Resources in Irving and Fletcher Yoder in Houston.

Adrianne was recently selected to be a Ms.JD Fellow! Ms.JD, a national organization, selected Adrianne based on her academic performance, leadership, and dedication to advancing the status of women in the profession of law.  Adrianne also gives back to HSC by serving on the HSC Alumni Association Executive Board. She is a great example of leadership and academic excellence that HSC embodies. We could not be more proud of Adrianne and all of her accomplishments.