Representatives from the El Paso Bar Association, the Barra y Colegio de Abogados de Ciudad Juárez, and the Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, Sección Chihuahua hold up signed copies of an MOU between the three bar associations.

In an event many called “historic,” the El Paso Bar Association on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with two Mexican bar associations to work together to strengthen the rule of law in the U.S. and in Mexico, to facilitate cross-border educational and networking opportunities, and to expedite transactional legal services on both sides of the Rio Grande.

The MOU was signed live via Zoom by representatives from the El Paso Bar, the Barra y Colegio de Abogados de Ciudad Juárez, and the Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, Sección Chihuahua.

State Bar of Texas President-elect Sylvia Borunda Firth served as a witness to the signing, remarking that to her knowledge it is the first agreement of its kind.

“I’m proud that our legal community on the border has come together to serve as an example of how we can work and learn together,” Borunda Firth said, adding she looks forward to many great projects and initiatives to come out of the relationship.

El Paso Bar Association President Janet Monteros said that with the increasing complexity of border transactions it was time to formalize the efforts of lawyers on both sides of the border to understand the two different legal systems as they are all bound by a commitment to the rule of law and a deep respect for the sovereignty of both nations.

Daniela Flores, 2019-2020 president of the Board of Directors of the Asociación Nacional de Abogados de Empresa, Sección Chihuahua (National Association of Business Lawyers, Chihuahua Chapter), said, “I am convinced that our three associations believe in coming together and sharing our highest values and standards, and working in a spirit of cooperation, solidarity, and fraternity. We believe in being one more bridge and one more beacon of light across our beloved border in our binational community of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

“I am sure that this is just the beginning of a very long and fruitful relationship through which we will continue to build bridges and join forces for the benefit of our border community between our two countries, Mexico and the United States of America.”

The full presentation and signing of the MOU can be viewed here on the El Paso Bar Association’s Facebook page. Read the full memorandum here.