José Padilla, vice president and general counsel for DePaul University, has been named one of  100 influential Hispanics in the nation by Hispanic Business magazine.  Padilla is among several high-profile Chicagoans recognized in the listing, which includes notables such as Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s attorney; Gery J. Chico,  DePaul trustee, former president of the board of trustees for the City Colleges of Chicago and a Chicago mayoral hopeful and Richard Rodriguez, president of the Chicago Transit Authority.

Honorees are selected for the list based on such criteria as their national impact and achievements to inspire and promote other Hispanics, leadership, community involvement and personal and professional accomplishments.

Padilla, who is well-established in the legal community,  believes the Hispanic Business magazine recognition will help him remain focused on the importance of doing good work. “I view this honor as a new challenge to live up to,” said Padilla. “It reminds me that I must constantly set fresh goals and work diligently to live up to the expectations that come with being a professional in the Hispanic community as well as those that come from DePaul’s administration, faculty, staff, students and the talented group of professionals with whom I work in the Office of General Counsel.  That means I have a lot more work to do, and I’m committed to doing it.”

Padilla was named vice president and general counsel at DePaul in 2005.  He directs an office of seven attorneys to represent and advise the university  on a range of legal matters including diversity, higher education regulations, real estate and employment issues. 

A 1983 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Padilla worked as the assistant commissioner for congressional and public affairs at the U.S. Customs Service, (which was then a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department) during the Clinton administration.   In that role, he developed and executed  strategies to meet customs and administration objectives for initiatives such as  the North America Free Trade Agreement, China’s Most Favored Nation status and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

In 2003, he also worked as a federal lobbyist for the University of Michigan before Congress and Hispanic groups on the Gratz and Grutter affirmative action cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Padilla is also actively involved in community service.  He was a board member of Chicago Community in Schools and is currently director of the University of Michigan’s alumni association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys. 

Hispanic Business magazine is geared to the needs of Hispanic professionals in all sectors, including business, law, accounting, healthcare, government and engineering. The magazine has generated its 100 Influential Most list since 1983.

Padilla  believes that principles he honed while at DePaul helped earn him a spot on the 2010  list, and  he will use the distinction to  remain motivated at DePaul and in the community.  “Being part of the DePaul family helped me become recognized among Hispanic Business magazine’s list of influential Hispanics,” said Padilla. “My DePaul colleagues have taught me what it means to be truly devoted to a set of values and what we can achieve together when we embrace those values in our lives. Because of their example, I have learned that advocacy on behalf of one’s community will only succeed if it is driven by a clear purpose and put into practice every day.”

 About DePaul

DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, nonprofit university in the Midwest.  The university offers approximately 275 graduate and undergraduate programs of study on two Chicago campuses and four suburban campuses and at several  international locations. Founded in 1898, DePaul remains committed to providing a quality education through personal attention to students from a wide range of backgrounds. For more information, visit www.depaul.edu.