President

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt 1211 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 1900 Portland, OR 97204 T: (503) 796-2935 | F: (503) 796-2900 rhernandez@schwabe.com

Mr. Román D. Hernández is currently serving a one-year term as National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA).

He is a shareholder in the Pacific Northwest law firm of Schwabe, Williamson, and Wyatt, P.C., where he practices in the areas of employment and labor law and business litigation. Mr. Hernández’s employment law practice is focused on the defense of employers against claims filed by former, current, and prospective employees for allegations of discrimination, harassment, constructive discharge, wrongful discharge and for alleged wage and hour violations in both state and federal courts, including class action litigation. Additionally, he provides general employment and labor advice to employers of all sizes related to employment and labor policies and practices. Mr. Hernández has also been involved in international business matters and has conducted cross-border contract negotiations on behalf of firm clients.

Mr. Hernández is the youngest of eight children whose parents emigrated from Mexico over 50 years ago. His parents were migrant farm workers until they settled in rural Eastern Oregon to raise his family. He grew up, like his brothers, sisters, and parents, working in the fields of Eastern Oregon. He worked in the fields until two weeks before he started college. He graduated from Oregon State University (OSU), and then served nearly five years of active duty with the United States Air Force before completing his service to his country with an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain. He left a career of military service to pursue his legal education.

Recently, his professional successes, life story, and record of overcoming obstacles led OSU to select him as the commencement speaker for its “Latino Graduation”, a graduation ceremony designed to highlight Latino college graduates with an emphasis on their families, many of whom do not speak English. He delivered the commencement address both in English and in Spanish.

Mr. Hernández, a shareholder in a prestigious, regional law firm (the first Latino shareholder), has not forgotten his humble beginnings, nor where he comes from. It is part of what motivates him, and is reflected in his career of civic and community service.

Mr. Hernández is a past President of the Board of Directors of the Portland Hispanic Chamber.

In 2004, Mr. Hernández served on the Transition Steering Committee for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. The Transition Steering Committee was comprised of 23 people selected from throughout Oregon to assist Governor Kulongoski prepare for his then up-coming administration.

Mr. Hernández has been recognized by business publications and other groups for his commitment to the community and to business development and growth. He was selected as a recipient of The Portland Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40″ Award that annually recognizes the 40 most accomplished, influential, and civic-minded young executives in Portland. Oregon Business Magazine selected Mr. Hernández as one of Oregon’s “Fifty Great Leaders” and featured him in its publication. The Oregon Chapter of The American Jewish Committee selected Mr. Hernández as its first-ever recipient of its “Emerging Leadership” Award in 2004.

In 2005, Mr. Hernández was selected by the Hispanic National Bar Association as “Regional President of the Year” out of the 19 regional presidents across the country.

In 2006, Mr. Hernández was appointed by Governor Kulongoski to the 10-member Board of Directors for Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon’s only academic health center. As a Director, part of his responsibilities includes overseeing OHSU’s annual budget of $1.4 billion. OHSU is Portland’s largest employer with 12,400 employees (also the state’s fourth largest employer). Mr. Hernández was re-appointed to the OHSU Board by Governor Kulongoski for another three-year term in 2009.

It was, in part, because of his strong record of civic and community involvement that a leading local newspaper (The Willamette Week) recently identified him as one of 12 Portlanders who should run for Mayor of Portland. He was subsequently featured in the newspaper’s cover story (“Done Deal”, Nov. 28, 2007). This recognition speaks to the respect and confidence in his leadership abilities that he has earned within his local community.

In 2009, Mr. Hernández was selected by Latino Leaders magazine of one of the Top 101 Most Influential Hispanic Leaders in the U.S. and featured him in its publication. In addition, Hispanic Business magazine also selected Mr. Hernández as one of its 100 Most Influential people in the nation.

Mr. Hernández received his Juris Doctor degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, and his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. He is admitted to practice law in Oregon and Washington state courts, federal courts located in Oregon and Washington, and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.