Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, August 27 - The National Organization of Collective Law Firms (ONBC) has launched a new institutional cycle with the presentation of its annual report and the announcement of the electoral process that will determine its leadership structure for the period 2025–2030.
During a press conference held this Tuesday at the organization’s headquarters, President Lilia María Hernández Doejo emphasized ONBC’s commitment to providing legal defense for citizens, as well as its operational independence that sets it apart within the Cuban legal system.
“Our goal is to do our work well and to effectively represent, defend, and assist all individuals seeking guidance, asserting their rights, or defending themselves against certain accusations or claims,” Hernández Doejo stated.
She highlighted that the review process initiated within the collective law firm units coincides with a key electoral moment for the organization. The ONBC, which is independent of state agencies and has legal personality, is governed by democratic principles that ensure the direct election of its leaders through secret ballots.
Every five years, the units of collective law firms hold meetings where lawyers propose delegates for the General Assembly, the organization’s highest governing body. This upcoming assembly will be constitutive, marking the beginning of a new term. Subsequently, provincial assemblies will nominate candidates for the National Board of Directors, responsible for the administrative, functional, and organizational governance of ONBC.
“Having concluded one term, we are about to start a new five-year cycle from 2025 to 2030. Many have been reaffirmed because they are considered to have performed well and to represent us effectively,” Hernández Doejo explained.
On September 2 and 3, delegates will vote for nine members of the board and three professional positions, within a renewed structure aimed at enhancing coherence and strengthening the organization’s internal life. The president clarified that this new configuration responds to a long-considered need within ONBC.
Additionally, a general report will be presented, and three working commissions aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives will be activated. Among them, the Technical Work and Professional Development Commission, led by a board member with the support of the First Vice President, responsible for legal services, trends, supervision, and methodological guidance.
During the founding general assembly of the National Organization of Collective Law Firms (ONBC), Hernández Doejo stressed the importance of consolidating a more coherent, focused, and strengthened management, starting with the election of a new national board composed of three professional members.
“These elected members, chosen by secret and direct vote, will form the new board that will serve for the next five years,” she affirmed.
This commission, headed by a non-professional board member with the support of the First Vice President, oversees legal services, sets organizational trends, supervises, and issues methodological directives.
Its responsibilities include providing technical assistance to the public and coordinating with administrative, legal, and judicial institutions. Hernández Doejo emphasized the need to strengthen the training of young lawyers entering the profession for the first time, highlighting technical rigor and citizen respect as essential pillars.
“We need to provide more support to individuals when they interact with authorities and administrative bodies, as dissatisfaction among the population remains high,” she noted.
This commission manages human resources, from lawyers to technical and administrative staff. In a context of workforce shortages and fluctuations, there is a focus on reinforcing personnel policies based on voluntariness and training. Professional ethics, a constant value within ONBC, are reaffirmed through documents, updates to the code of ethics, and everyday practices that demand both technical excellence and moral integrity.
“Ethics is ongoing. Technical brilliance alone is not enough; the ethical component is just as necessary,” Hernández Doejo stated.
Economic and Digital Transformation Commission
Responsible for financial matters, this commission manages plans, budgets, internal control, quality assurance, and investments. Since its inception, ONBC has been self-financed, operating through income generated by law firms nationwide, without any state contributions. It also promotes social responsibility programs and advances in digital transformation, implementing internal systems that directly impact the quality of legal services provided to citizens.
“We have achieved independence through our efforts amid very complex circumstances because the economic and social situation remains challenging,” Hernández Doejo remarked.
The process, conducted transparently, includes a nomination committee and an scrutiny committee, led by provincial officials from Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba.
The president also highlighted the recognition of contributions not only to lawyers but also to administrative staff, reaffirming the importance of every member’s role in the organization’s functioning. With over 217 offices across the country, ONBC maintains financial stability and a strong commitment to the public, based on serious, efficient management and tangible results.
“We are not exemplary for anyone else; we are an example for ourselves. Maintaining 60 years of management requires consistency, efficiency, and results,” Hernández Doejo emphasized.
A recent meeting on citizen services revealed the need to improve service quality and institutional communication. Hernández Doejo acknowledged that repeated complaints reflect system failures and underscored the importance of acting with transparency, technical rigor, and human sensitivity.
“When you treat people with honesty, speak truthfully, and represent them well, they understand. But you have to do things properly,” she said.
Hernández Doejo stressed that strengthening human capital is vital to ensuring effective legal assistance. ONBC must train and support new lawyers, many of whom are beginning their careers within the organization, to foster professional and respectful relationships with clients.
“People need representation, a lawyer, and a process. If there are delays or dissatisfaction, we must understand and find solutions,” she added.
The institution is part of the National Union of Jurists of Cuba and actively defends principles of the Revolution, humanism, and peace. It has participated in national campaigns and maintains partnerships with legal associations across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, including collaboration agreements with entities in Vietnam, Spain, Canada, and Mexico.
“Invitations to participate in international events are abundant, and our colleagues always attend with professionalism, advocating for the practice of law,” Hernández Doejo highlighted.
Digital Transformation and Sustainability
With over 60 years of professional practice, ONBC faces significant technological challenges. Its structure includes 182 collective law firms and a workforce of 3,574 employees—of whom 2,062 are lawyers. The organization sustains its operations through self-financing, managing IT infrastructure with internal resources and technical staff, without outsourcing.
“Our payment and collection systems are already designed with mobile transfer in mind, and we continue advancing in digital transformation,” explained Mercedes Díaz Velázquez, National Director of Human Resources and Staffing.
The assembly will also pay tribute to the legacy of Commander Fidel Castro, a lawyer by profession and a symbol of popular defense.
“Comandante Fidel was our senior lawyer, the lawyer of the people. That phrase says it all. It’s the best homage to his legacy,” Hernández Doejo concluded.
The ONBC continues to reinforce its social and professional mission through the implementation of new IT tools and the enforcement of the Law of Advocacy and the National Organization of Collective Law Firms, approved by the National Assembly of People’s Power in December 2024.
This legislation, which elevates the status of the legal profession, establishes updated principles, duties, and rights for all legal practitioners in Cuba.
The new law regulates not only lawyers affiliated with ONBC but also all legal professionals acting as defenders in other institutions, including university professors. It emphasizes core ethical principles from the moment legal services are contracted, mandates adherence to deadlines, and promotes continuous professional development.
“The law gives us an advantage because it introduces institutions that reinforce our practice. It reaffirms the independence of the lawyer, who is committed to their client, and sets ethical standards of respect, confidentiality, and discretion,” Hernández Doejo concluded. (Text and Photo: Cubadebate)
