The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA) on Oct. 9 held its annual Dean José Bahamonde-Gonzáles Impacto Awards ceremony celebrating cultural heritage and the accomplishments of the Latinx legal community.
Honored with the 2026 Impacto Award was Himedes Chicas '10 (pictured above). Chicas is a partner and head of the Immigration Department at the Law Offices of Jezic & Moyse, LLC.
In law school, Chicas was a student attorney in the Immigration Clinic, which is now part of Maryland Carey Law's Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice. He also served as the executive articles editor for the Maryland Journal of International Law, as an Asper Fellow for the Honorable Althea M. Handy, Circuit Court for Baltimore City, and a legislative law clerk for then-senator Ben Cardin '67 in the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
"Himedes is everything a lawyer can aspire to be. He is a zealous and excellent advocate for his clients and for justice and the rule of law in our legal system at large," said Professor Maureen Sweeney, director, Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice, who taught the Immigration Clinic when Chicas was in law school and is a thought leader at the intersection of criminal and immigration law, known as "crimmigration."
These days, Chicas focuses his practice on crimmigration, advising clients and their criminal defense attorneys on crafting immigrant-friendly plea deals, providing pre-trial immigration advisory opinions, and serving as an expert witness in postconviction matters before criminal courts.
Chicas also directly represents immigrant clients before the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Committed to immigrant justice, Chicas volunteers his time and provides pro bono representation and advice to indigent clients through the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights where he serves as a member of its Board of Directors. In addition, Chicas is active in the Maryland Federal Bar Association and the Cole-Davidson Inns of Court, and was appointed to be a member of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) Board of Trustees by Governor Wes Moore.
As well as the Impacto Award, LLSA awards two other honors, the Young Luminary Award and the Ember Award, at the annual cultural heritage banquet.
The Young Luminary Award honors a student or recent graduate who has consistently demonstrated pride in their Latinidad through involvement with LLSA, promotion of their cultural heritage, and the cultivation of relationships that strengthen a sense of community. This year’s recipient is Diana Morales ’24, an assistant public defender for Baltimore City. In law school, Morales was a student attorney in the Criminal Defense Clinic and she was named as a Shale D. Stiller Public Interest MPILP Fellow in support of her summer internship at Project 6 in Baltimore.
The Ember Award recognizes an individual who has worked tirelessly to build a connected, engaged, and thriving Latinx community. This year’s recipient, Crystallis Vergara, is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Office of Crystallis Vergara, where she represents numerous Latinx clients in personal injury matters.
For the latest on LLSA, we interviewed the organization's president, Adriana Paz-Medellin (left). A recipient of the Honorable Judge Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. ’69 Scholarship, Paz-Medellin is a first-generation law student whose goal is to become a public defender and "provide people with the zealous and meaningful representation they deserve, regardless of their financial circumstances."
What is the goal of the Impacto awards? Why is the event important?
The Impacto Awards honor individuals whose work has positively impacted the Latino community. In 2022, our community mourned the loss of Dean José Bahamonde-González, LLSA’s faculty advisor, and a dedicated mentor and friend to many students. To honor his legacy, LLSA renamed our annual Impacto Award in his honor. The award is presented to a lawyer, Latino or ally, whose work in legal academia, the judiciary, private practice, public service, or a community organization has made a meaningful difference in the lives of Latino individuals and communities. The event matters because it gives our community a chance to come together, celebrate the accomplishments of Latino leaders, and recognize the people creating a positive impact. It also allows LLSA members to see people who look like them succeeding in different areas of the legal profession and to be inspired by their work.
Why is LLSA an important group for Latinx students at Maryland Carey Law, and why were you interested in a leadership role in the organization?
LLSA is important because it creates a sense of community and belonging for Latino students at Maryland Carey Law. Law school can be challenging, and having a space where students can connect with others who share similar experiences and backgrounds is really meaningful. I was interested in taking on a leadership role because I wanted to give back to the organization and help create that same sense of community for other students. I also wanted to help ensure Latino students feel supported throughout law school and have opportunities to connect with alumni and members of the legal profession.
Is there other LLSA programming coming up this year that people should know about?
Yes! We have several exciting events coming up this year, including a Día de los Muertos celebration and a law panel. We’re excited to bring students together for both cultural programming and opportunities to learn more about different areas of the legal profession.
What motivated you to attend law school and what are your future aspirations?
I wanted to attend law school because Latino representation in the legal field is still lacking, and I wanted to help change that. Representation matters, especially for communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing the legal system. In the future, I hope to become a public defender and provide people with the zealous and meaningful representation they deserve, regardless of their financial circumstances. Ultimately, I want to help make the legal system more accessible and equitable for everyone.