CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta
to Keynote 2018 Breakthrough Convention

WASHINGTON, DC --In what is already certain to be an exciting Gala Program celebrating the culmination of HNBA President Erica V. Mason's term, we are honored to announce that CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta will serve as this year's HNBA Convention Gala Keynote Speaker, on September 7, 2018!

"I could not be more thrilled that Mr. Acosta is joining us to help us close out our convention with a joyful celebration of exemplary Latino and Latinas lawyers across the country, including the 10th year anniversary celebrations of the HNBA’s Latina Commission and LGBT Division!" stated HNBA National President Erica V. Mason. "Mr. Acosta is an ideal fit for our ‘Breakthrough’ theme as his career has demonstrated a determination and passion that has led to his current post as Chief White House Correspondent for CNN. If there is another profession that is currently in the spotlight as much as our legal profession, it is without a doubt the news media. We look forward to Jim's insight on the fourth estate as well as hearing about his own personal breakthrough story."

The HNBA's Breakthrough Convention in Philadelphia next month will attract over 1000 Latinx attorneys, judges, and law students from across the country, including public officials, business leaders, and General Counsels from many Fortune 100 and other corporations. Attendees will take part in an engaging and comprehensive program that includes Continuing Legal Education (CLE) panels on cutting edge topics with leading practitioners; networking events and workshops; the largest Career Fair for Latinx attorneys and law students; educational and professional development programs like the Latina Leadership Academy, LGBT Summit, Youth Symposium, Young Lawyers and Law Students Speed Mentoring Program, and Poder 25 (the first Latinx Fortune 500 GC pipeline program); and a variety of social activities showcasing the best of what Philadelphia has to offer.

Jim Acosta is CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent, currently covering the Trump administration and previously covered the Obama administration from the White House and around the world. He regularly covers presidential press conferences, visits by heads of states, and issues impacting the Executive Branch of the federal government. In addition, Acosta reported from the 2016 campaign trail following then-candidate Donald Trump.

Acosta is based in the network's Washington, D.C., bureau and also serves as a substitute anchor for the network across a variety of CNN programs and previously served as a national political correspondent. Before joining CNN in March 2007, Acosta was a CBS News correspondent. Acosta graduated cum laude from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in mass communications and a minor in political science.