The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) will honor three UIC Law alumni at its 2022 “Top Lawyers Under 40” reception in New Orleans later this month. Katherine Britton (JD 2007), Jennifer Crespo (JD 2014), and Daniel R. Hernandez (JD 2016) were selected from a competitive nationwide field of attorneys who best demonstrate professional excellence, integrity, leadership, commitment to the Hispanic community, and dedication to improving the legal profession.
“The HNBA is pleased to honor 40 of our best young Hispanic lawyers from across the nation, showcasing the exceptional legal talent and leadership that our community has to offer,” stated Carlos M. Bollar, HNBA National President, in the HNBA annoucement. “The award recipients were selected from a number of highly qualified candidates. The overwhelming number of highly qualified nominees every year illustrates our progress in the areas of law and leadership.”
Katherine Britton (’07)
A 2007 graduate and former Editor of the law school’s Review of Intellectual Property Law, Katherine Britton, Owner of the Law Office of Katherine Britton, focuses her practice on privacy and data security law, complex civil litigation, employment, and human resources litigation and counseling. Her clients include tech startups, non-profit corporations, privately held companies, and Fortune 500 and Fortune 50 companies. Ms. Britton has served as a HNBA Commissioner for the Latina Commission and is currently the Co-Chair of the Latina Leadership Academy.
Jennifer Crespo (’14)
Jennifer Crespo, a 2014 graduate of the law school, is currently an Assistant Illinois Attorney General in the Consumer Fraud Bureau, where she has led efforts to address COVID-19 scams, end deceptive advertising and sales practices in the opioids industry, and prepare consumer alerts and education to halt emerging scams. Currently President-Elect of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Ms. Crespo is a former President of the law school’s Latino Law Student Association.
Daniel R. Hernandez (’16)
Daniel R. Hernandez, Principal and Managing Attorney at NextLevel Law, P.C, is a 2016 graduate of the law school and a former President of the Student Bar Association. His practice focuses on family law and real estate transactions. He is President of the Board of Directors at Between Friends and was named a Crain’s Chicago Business 2021 Notable Nonprofit Board Leader. Mr. Hernandez is also Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and Vice President of the HNBA’s Region IX. He has been named an Illinois Rising Star since 2019 by Super Lawyers.
