Cruz Reynoso Biography

An internationally recognized civil rights leader, professor of law, keynote speaker, and proponent for government reform, Cruz Reynoso was the first Hispanic person to sit on the California Supreme Court. Appointed in 1982, his service marked reforms including extended environmental protections, civil liberties, and the rights of criminal defendants.

Reynoso served as part of the liberal majority of California’s Supreme Court who, during the 1980s, voted to overturn death penalty sentences and convictions. His divisive views on the death penalty became the focus of the 1986 judicial-retention election, at which time voters rejected his reconfirmation.

After serving on the State Supreme Court, Reynoso returned to private practice. Soon after, he became a professor at the UCLA School of Law, and later became the inaugural Boochever & Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality at the UC Davis School of Law.

Prior to the inauguration of President Obama, Reynoso was named to one of his transitional teams where he played a main role in reviewing key federal departments and agencies, and provided information needed to make policy, budget, and personnel decisions.

Throughout his accomplished career, Reynoso has served as the director of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, the associate general counsel to the US Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, as vice chair of the US Commission on Civil Rights, as a member of the Select Commission on Immigration and Human Rights, and on numerous other panels and boards. For his efforts in extending legal equality, President Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor.

Topics

The Role of Latinos in a Changing America

2008 marked the first time a presidential election focused on the Latino vote. Now the largest minority in this country, Latino culture has permeated every corner of the USA. From Mexican salsa dancing to fine art and music, the impact of Latino culture is continuously growing.

In this keynote presentation Reynoso will discuss the impact of this shifting demographic on government programs like social security, and provide an outlook for the future of immigration policy.

The Challenges Facing the State & Federal Judiciary

2008 and 2009 were times of many firsts. Not only did we elect the first African American President, but the first female Latina was appointed to the United States Supreme Court. In this keynote speech, Reynoso will examine the challenges and larger social matters facing the US justice system moving forward. Touching on such issues as the disproportionate amount of minorities populating prisons, the number of imprisoned nonviolent offenders, and the costs of keeping these prisoners, he probes the question: does the system need a change?

How Civil Rights Disparities Are Straining Democracy

While great strides towards social equality have been made since the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s, many disparities still remain. Women still make 75% of what men make for doing the same job, minorities and the poor are still not afforded the same educational opportunities as other groups, and some working classes are still not provided the same legal protection to unionize as other workers.

Along with countless other social inequities, these disparities are straining our nation's very lifeblood: democracy. In this keynote speech, Reynoso will discuss the broad array of disparities affecting our nation, and stimulate conversation to generate possible solutions to these inequities.

Employed But Broke: The Paradoxical Plight of Latino Workers

Latinos have the highest employment rate of any ethnic and racial group, yet it is one of the poorest. How can this be? With growing wealth, Latinos represent billions of dollars of consumer spending, yet few Latinos are found on corporate boards. In a thought provoking keynote, Reynoso examines these seemingly paradoxical occurrences in the Latino workforce.

Gaining the Upper Hand in International Business

In this keynote presentation, Reynoso delves into the positives and negatives of the American experience in international business. He examines the presumption that American supervisors of International businesses are more skilled than supervisors from most other countries, and the contributing factors to this generally accepted notion.

Exploring the issue from an educational perspective, Reynoso tests the impact of American education, particularly foreign languages, on International business. Does our current system of teaching languages later in students' educational careers, as opposed to the early exposure seen in other cultures, act as a hindrance to our future businessmen and businesswomen?

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Cruz Reynoso's expertise is in high demand. To book Cruz Reynoso for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Cruz Reynoso's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Cruz Reynoso's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Cruz Reynoso for your next speaking engagement.