Fraternity, Not Fear: Serving North Carolina's Hispanic Latino Community, with Anabel Rosa

When Anabel Rosa joined NCAJ's Hispanic Latino Legal Issues Division in 2011, she was one of just a handful of attorneys in the room — today that group is nearly 200 members strong. Anabel, principal attorney at Rosa Lawyers in Durham and this year's Annie Brown Kennedy Award recipient, joins host Amber Nimocks to trace the path that led there: from Spanish-language TV reporter to press aide for Mayor David Dinkins to Brooklyn Law School graduate to a 2010 move to North Carolina and James Scott Farrin. Anabel also speaks candidly about the fear gripping immigrant communities today.🎙️ Featured Guest 🎙️Name: Anabel RosaConnect: LinkedIn💡 Episode Highlights 💡[02:23] Leaving Puerto Rico at 16: Anabel recalls moving alone from Puerto Rico to Syracuse, New York, without speaking English, and registering for her first semester of college before she could form a sentence in the language.[07:57] Joining Mayor Dinkins' Press Office: Anabel spent nearly eight years on David Dinkins' team before and during his time as New York mayor.[10:51] From City Hall to the Bar: Encouraged by Dinkins, Anabel attended Brooklyn Law School and passed both the New York and New Jersey bar exams back to back in 1996.[13:55] Teaching ESL: Early in her advocacy work, Anabel spent Saturdays teaching English as a second language to newly arrived community members, building lessons around everyday skills like ordering food and reading bus routes.[16:09] Founding Durham's Hispanic-Latino Committee: Anabel describes working with then-Durham Mayor Bill Bell to build a committee that could bring Latino residents into city meetings, addressing barriers like scheduling and fear tied to immigration status.[20:53] HLD's Growth: Anabel and Amber discuss how NCAJ's Hispanic Latino Legal Issues Division has grown from a small handful of attorneys when Anabel joined in 2011 to roughly 200 members today.[22:43] Fear Facing the Community: Anabel describes how fear is affecting mixed-status families, including clients who are hesitant to show up in court, drive, or send their kids to school.Connect with North Carolina Advocates for Justice☑️ Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Voices of NCAJ on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyVoices of NCAJ features members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice talking about what it means to be a trial lawyer, what it takes to be great at the practice of law and how being a part of NCAJ enriches their lives and their careers.Members of NCAJ belong to a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of legal professionals dedicated to empowering a strong community of trial lawyers to protect people, prevent injustice and promote fairness. Membership affords many benefits and we’re proud to offer discounts and opportunities thanks to our tremendous community of sponsors and partners. Join today!