The Hispanic Bar Association of Greater Kansas City elected Polsinelli Shughart PC attorney G. Gabriel (Gabe) Zorogastua as president for a one-year term effective January 2011. Zorogastua will serve as bar leader following his term as secretary. He practices business litigation in the Trial department at Polsinelli Shughart, and provides pro bono services for homeless veterans. Zorogastua says he will work to raise the visibility of the Hispanic Bar, increase membership, establish partnerships with other bar associations, and serve the community.
“First, I’m thrilled to be elected president to an organization I connect with so strongly,” said Zorogastua, who is a native of Peru. “A strong bar association not only makes us more committed to our profession, it benefits the entire community.”
Zorogastua joined Polsinelli Shughart in 2007, and divides his time between plaintiffs’ and defense litigation. He has represented clients in state and federal antitrust litigation involving a national price-fixing conspiracy. In addition to his practice, Zorogastua provides legal services to the indigent. This includes resolving various criminal and traffic issues for homeless veterans, assisting a family in a dispute under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and representing an indigent prisoner in a civil rights matter.
“One of the benefits of practicing at a large firm like Polsinelli Shughart is that it enables me to commit to providing legal services to those who can’t afford a lawyer,” said Zorogastua. “It is extremely rewarding to be able to help others in this way.”
Zorogastua earned his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2007 and three under graduate degrees including: a bachelor’s degree in Modern and Classical Arts and Literatures (Spanish), summa cum laude, Wichita State University in 2009; a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, summa cum laude, Wichita State University in 2004; a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, summa cum laude, Wichita State University in 2004.
Zorogastua is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association and KC LEGAL. He is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Italian.
He speaks on diversity matters at local law schools and for the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. He is an excellent source for reporters working on stories about:
• Business litigation matters
• Diversity issues
• Pro bono service
For more information contact:
Public Relations Manager Heather McMichael, 816-395-0618, hmcmichael@polsinelli.com
About Polsinelli Shughart PC
With more than 500 attorneys, Polsinelli Shughart PC (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm that is a recognized leader in the areas of business law, financial services, real estate and business litigation. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients, Polsinelli Shughart is redefining the business of law by sharing ideas, goals and outcomes with its clients. The firm builds enduring relationships by creating value beyond legal services - with passion, ingenuity and a sense of urgency. The firm has offices located in Kansas City; St. Louis; Phoenix; Chicago; Denver; Washington, D.C.; New York; Wilmington, Del.; Overland Park, Kan.; St. Joseph, Springfield and Jefferson City, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; and Edwardsville, Ill.
About the HBAGKC
The Hispanic Bar Association of Greater Kansas City was founded in 1992 by area Hispanic attorneys. Throughout the years, the HBAGKC has served to preserve the recruitment and retention of Hispanics in law schools and provide them with financial assistance; to provide continuing legal education for attorneys and foster the exchange of ideas and information among its members; to serve as the voice for the concerns and opinions of Hispanics in the legal community; to provide testimony before Missouri and Kansas state legislatures on issues of concern to Hispanics; to work with other bar associations, governmental agencies and community groups to achieve greater involvement in and understanding of the American legal system.