News Article

There is no doubt that Latinos represent an already large and rapidly growing sector of the economy in North Carolina. A 2004 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill study estimated the overall economic impact of Latinos on North Carolina's economy at $9 billion—a figure that is likely to double by 2009. Between 1995 and 2005, Latinos were hired to fill one in three new jobs created in the state.

In keeping with the firm's tradition of innovative client service, the Diversity Committee of Womble Carlyle assembled a panel of Hispanic attorneys, business leaders and policy makers to discuss meeting the legal needs of this rapidly growing segment of the population.

"We understand that the Latino market, both domestically and internationally, has tremendous potential and we are working hard to serve the market," said Carmen Canales, Womble Carlyle's Chief Talent Officer and the organizer of the panel discussion. "This event was part of our proactive approach to better serving the Hispanic community."

The panel consisted of Francisco Velasco, Assistant General Counsel at Hanesbrands, Inc.; Gilbert Camacho, Sales Director at Hanesbrands, Inc.; Dr. Nolo Martinez, Assistant Director of the Center for New North Carolinians at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro; and Julio Lazaro, National Sales Manager for Consumer Products at Banner Pharmacaps, Inc.

Martinez said Womble Carlyle is correct to make the Hispanic client a point of emphasis. "North Carolina is about to become the Latino capital of the eastern United States," he said.

Camacho told the audience that the Hispanic market isn't homogenous. In fact, the Latino market is made up of many different cultures and backgrounds. Anyone doing business with a Hispanic company should dig a little deeper, he said, and find out more specific information about their business partners.

"We have to do our homework. We need to get to know the customer," Lazaro said.

Velasco offered some practical advice on where to network with Hispanic business clients. He suggested attorneys attend and speak at conferences, interact with chambers of commerce, write journal articles and establish connections with law firms in Latin American nations.

"The Hispanic community certainly is an untapped market," Velasco said.