On August 16, AABANY, through its Executive Director Yang Chen, gave testimony at a public hearing convened by the City Council Districting Commission. AABANY testified as a member of ACCORD, the Asian American Community Coalition on Redistricting and Democracy, and urged the Commission to draw lines that kept communities of interest together in Manhattan. Citing the Voting Rights Act and applicable Supreme Court precedent, AABANY indicated that the current district lines in Chinatown and the Lower East Side may not comport with legal requirements. As part of its testimony, AABANY submitted a copy of its March 2003 letter to the Department of Justice, which dealt with the same issue. To read the testimony and the letter, go to bit.ly/blog_Testimny_CityCnclDstrctngComm
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On Thursday, August 16, 2012, AABANY members enjoyed lively company and great food at Stitch Bar and Lounge on West 37th Street near 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The “Get to Know AABANY Summer Social,” co-sponsored by AABANY’s Women’s, Immigration and Nationality Law, and Student Outreach Committees, drew over 40 members to the spacious midtown lounge. Special thanks to Women’s Committee member Rebecca Ulich for her assistance in organizing the event. Thanks to Women’s Committee co-chair Liza Sohn for the photos.
Legal Outreach Volunteering Opportunity
Sheila Bautista, AABANY member and prosecutor in the Manhattan DA’s office, shares the following volunteer opportunity with us:
Since 1983, Legal Outreach has provided underserved minority students in New York City with the academic support and mentorship they deserve. As rising ninth graders, students begin the program by participating in the Summer Law Institute, a five-week program that concludes with a mock trial in front of a real judge in a real courtroom. In high school, students participate in Legal Outreach’s College Bound program, a rigorous college preparatory track of after-school tutoring, Saturday writing classes, SAT preparation, mock trials and debates, life skills courses, internships, and mentoring from staff, law students, and professional attorneys.
Legal Outreach is currently seeking to recruit volunteer attorneys to serve as mentors to students participating in its Constitutional Law Debate program, one of the key components of the College Bound Program. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in a rewarding program with proven results—100% of Legal Outreach students graduate high school in four years, compared to 59% of New York City students. Over 99% of Legal Outreach graduates have matriculated at four-year colleges and 68% percent matriculate at highly selective colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, University of Michigan, Smith, and Wesleyan.
One of Legal Outreach’s defining goals is to increase diversity within the legal profession. According to the American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard 2010, the percentage of minority lawyers at large firms dropped for the first time in recent memory this past year, now standing at only 13.4%. The raw number of Asian-American lawyers dropped the most, by 556 attorneys. While the proportion of minorities enrolled in law school and employed in the legal profession has always been low compared to minority representation in the overall population, this negative trend needs to be combated. By providing minority students with an early-intervention program to bolster academic preparation and vision, Legal Outreach is working to raise these numbers. Legal Outreach has been recognized by the American Bar Association as an outstanding pipeline diversity program and by American Lawyer as “arguably the legal profession’s best example of an early-intervention pipeline program—and one of the few with a long-term track record.” In fact, nearly 15% of our College Bound students go on to become practicing attorneys.
To learn more and apply to volunteer with Legal Outreach, please visit our website at www.legaloutreach.org or e-mail Ariel Joseph, Esq. at [email protected].
KALCA Volunteering Opportunity
Want to get involved with the NYC community? Then join KALCA as we volunteer for God’s Love We Deliver, a non-religious non-profit organization that provides healthy and balanced meals and nutritional counseling for people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.
Volunteer will help prepare meals in the kitchen. Your time and your care can really make the difference in these people’s lives.
When: Sunday, September 16, 1:30pm-4:30pm.
Where: Soho at 166 Avenue of the Americas (@ Spring Street).
Please RSVP by 8/31 to Esther Hong at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.
SDNY NOTICE: TRANSCRIPTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY STARTING SEPTEMBER 1
COURT NOTICE TO THE BAR
August 17, 2012
CONTACT
SDNY Clerk of Court, 212-805-0136
TRANSCRIPTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY STARTING SEPTEMBER 1
Pursuant to the Judicial Conference of the United States Policy on Privacy and Public Access to Electronic Case Files, as of September 1, 2012, official transcripts of criminal court proceedings taken by official court reporters, contract court reporters, and transcribers will be made available electronically on the Court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system and through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. This policy will apply to all official transcripts of criminal proceedings or parts of criminal proceedings ordered on or after the above date.
For more information and and an outline of the procedures for redacting portions of a transcript, click here.
2012 Attorneys’ Guide to Civil Practice in the New York Country Supreme Court
From our friends at NYCLA:
The 2012 Attorneys’ Guide to Civil Practice in the New York County Supreme Court, compiled by those who work in the Supreme Court, is now on sale! THE essential guide book for every lawyer practicing on the civil side in Manhattan, the Attorneys’ Guide is a concise resource for details about judges, court personnel, and procedures in the Supreme Court. Highlights include: Commencing a Lawsuit, Assignments and Case Processing under the CCJP, Motion Practice, Back Offices and major County Clerk Operations, including Entry of Judgments, Commercial Division, Judges and Staff, and much more! Copies can be purchased at http://www.nycla.org/pdf/2012AttorneysGuideFlyer.pdf .
Use special offer code ASIANAMBAR when ordering to get a 50% discount – pay $50 per copy instead of $100.
AALDEF Internships
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a 38-year old New York-based national civil rights organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans through litigation, advocacy and community education. AALDEF has a 22-person staff and is supported by foundation and corporate grants, individual contributions, and special events. We receive no government funds. For more information about AALDEF and its current activities, visit our website at www.aaldef.org.
Fall 2012 Internships
For Undergraduate, Graduate, and Law Students
Fall internships are available for the following program areas (open to all unless otherwise noted):
Anti-Trafficking Initiative, some policy research and writing related to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and other trafficking-related legislation, outreach and community education as well as administrative tasks related to client case files of women and youth trafficking survivors. **Undergraduate students ONLY**
Community Health Care Initiative, community education and outreach in the areas of immigration, government benefits, language rights, health care access and database entry of legal intakes. **Undergraduate students ONLY**
Economic Justice for Workers, litigation, legal research, and advocacy on behalf of restaurant, garment, nail salon, domestic, and other low-wage workers.
Educational Equity, legal services, policy work, community education, research and litigation concerning educational equity, affirmative action, juvenile justice, post 9-11 hate violence and racial targeting. **Law students ONLY**
Housing Justice Project, community planning research and field work, community outreach, and research and litigation on housing and land use issues affecting low-income Asian immigrant communities. **Urban planning students encouraged to apply**
Immigrant Access to Justice, litigation, legal services, and organizing/outreach with communities impacted by post 9/11 immigration and law enforcement policies. An additional emphasis on Asian communities access to representation and education about immigration policies and practices that may impact them including unconstitutional DHS stops, new deferred action policies for youth and secured communities. **Law students ONLY**
Voting Rights, legal research and fact development under the Voting Rights Act and Equal Protection Clause challenging anti-Asian voter discrimination, advocacy on bilingual ballots, and state and local election reform; produce reports and organize public forums; work with volunteer attorneys and assist in organizing legal trainings.
Administrative Assistant, provide administrative support in preparation for AALDEF’s annual gala, including: researching for prospective dinner sponsors and silent auction donors. Computer experience with databases, graphics and web programs are helpful. **Undergraduate students ONLY. Workstudy grants accepted.**
Description of Internships.
Interns are supervised by attorneys and/or AALDEF staff in specific program areas. These internships are not paid positions, but academic credit may be arranged. Interns work anywhere between 8 to 25 hours per week. The internship usually commences with the start of classes and ends in early December.
To Apply:
Any bilingual ability should be stated in the resume. Bilingual ability is helpful but not required. Applications should also state the number of hours the intern is able to work per week and which program area(s) you are interested in. Email applications are accepted. Applications should be received or postmarked by Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Send a resume and cover letter (law students should include a writing sample) to:
AALDEF Fall Intern Search
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor, New York, New York 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303 or Email: [email protected]
For more information, contact Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932, ext. 212 or [email protected].
* * *
FALL 2012 Special Events Intern
Undergraduate or Graduate Students
The Special Events Intern will assist in the planning, preparation, and execution of our annual dinner gala and silent auction in February 2013.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
· Assisting with sponsorship development and outreach, writing materials, managing and following up on reservations, ticket sales, and donations.
· Maintaining databases and files.
· Preparing and maintaining sponsor/donor solicitations and acknowledgments, mailings, and emails.
· Assisting with the production of the invitations and dinner programs.
· Coordinating silent auction/raffle donations, including developing prospects, solicitations and acknowledgment, brochure and silent auction planning, and production.
· Meeting event deadlines.
Applicants must be self-motivated, have good organizational and writing skills, be detail oriented, able to work independently, organize and coordinate multiple tasks, develop and manage projects in a timely manner, and have database and internet skills. Some fundraising experience is preferable. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Experience using Filemaker is a plus. Flexibility with extra hours around the time of special events is necessary.
This is a temporary part-time position. This position begins September 2012 and will end shortly after the dinner. Hours are flexible. This is an unpaid position. We accept work study grants. Academic credit may be arranged.
To Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter ASAP to:
Attn: Jennifer Weng
Special Events Intern
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, New York 10013
fax: 212.966.4303
email: [email protected]
For more information, contact Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932, ext. 212 or [email protected].
Danny Chen Trial: Ryan J. Offutt pleads guilty
From OCA-NY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Contact: Elizabeth OuYang, (718) 650-1960
Facing charges of negligent homicide, Specialist Ryan J. Offutt plead guilty to hazing and maltreatment at a court martial before the Trial Judge, Col. Michael Hargis at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Specialist Offut was also charged with calling Private Danny Chen racially derogatory names like “chink”, “gook”, “fortune cookie”, “slants”, “egg roll”, “Jackie Chen”, “dragon lady”, “squint eye”, and “Jap”. He faced charges of maltreatment for kicking Danny in the chest, throwing rocks and water bottles at him, and grabbing by his vest and dragging him.
The Trial Judge sentenced him to six months confinement, discharge from the Army for bad misconduct, and reduction in rank to E1.
“Judge Hargis’ sentence sends a strong signal to superiors that they will be disciplined, including discharged from the Army if they engage in hazing and racial maltreatment. The judge’s sentence recognized there is no place in the Army for a convicted soldier, especially a superior, who has been convicted of racial maltreatment and hazing. Hazing and racial maltreatment that drives a soldier to his death warrants this strong sentence”, stated Elizabeth OuYang, president of OCA-NY, the lead advocacy organization advocating for justice for Private Danny Chen.
The contingency from New York attending the trial includes Danny’s parents, aunt, uncle, and four cousins; Jing Mei Huang, danny’s middle-school classmate; Elizabeth OuYang, OCA-NY president and OCA-NY members Christina Lo- school teacher, Arvin Chin-doctor, Mackenzie Yang-voting rights intern, and Julia Chung-hate crimes prevention art project coordinator; Alan Shing Chan-electrician; Liang Guo-technology analyst; Xiao Min Zhao-policy associate and constituent service liaison for Councilwoman Margaret Chin; Taylor Clark-Starbucks barista; Crystal Chen-Wheaton College; and Hye Mee Na and Mansee Kong, independent film makers. Members of the Fayetteville Chinese Association and Asian Americans for Progress-North Carolina chapter also attended the trial.
Georgetown Law: Public Interest and Human Rights Fellowships for Women
Greetings Friends & Alumni!
Please find our Summer 2012 Newsletter available on our website at: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/wlppfp/upload/WLPPFP_Summer_2012-draft-6-3.pdf.
We are excited to fill you in on all of the exciting things our fellows and alumni did during the past year.
REQUEST FOR UPDATES: We would love to feature you in our upcoming newsletters, so please continue to send along updates about your recent accomplishments for us to share. Also notify us if you have a change of address, a new phone number or an email you would prefer that we use.
We’ve also attached the 2013-2014 application for both the US and LAWA Fellows. Please circulate far and wide to anyone who might be interested.
To view an application for WLPPFP, please go to http://bit.ly/NBypwD.
To view an application for LAWA, please go to http://bit.ly/QyRCPH.
Best wishes and a happy summer to everyone.
Sincerely,
Amanda
Amanda Burns, Program Associate Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program
Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship Program
Georgetown University Law Center
600 New Jersey Ave, NW, Room 5024A Hotung
Washington, DC 20001
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-662-9650
Website: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/wlppfp/
Support the Fellowship Program at www.law.georgetown.edu/giving: under “Program Designation,” select “Other” and specify “WLPPFP.”