Month: December 2014

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PALS 2015 Winter Supplemental Bar Tutorial

Four Session Course

Monday,       January 12, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, January 28, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. 
Monday,       February  2, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. 
Monday,        February 9, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. 
Location: Skadden, 4 Times Square 

 

What you will learn:
Join Professor Leonard Lakin to learn how to identify common bar exam fact patterns and to avoid commonly made errors in reading, analyzing, and writing bar exam answers.
 
Eligible participants are PALS Law Students of Color that are:
  • Either first or second time bar takers
  • Graduates from the one of the 13 NYC area law schools that PALS serves
  • Currently enrolled in a full-time Bar Review Course (e.g. BAR/BRI, Pieper) or has been enrolled during the summer of 2014
  • Committed to attending all four sessions 

Our Expert: 
Leonard Lakin is an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law. Professor Lakin has taught the PALS Summer and Winter Supplemental Bar Tutorials since 2001. He was formerly associated with the New York Board of Law Examiners where he participated in drafting Bar Exam multiple choice questions, essay questions and model answers. Professor Lakin has lectured for BAR/BRI Bar Review for many years. He has also graded thousands of Bar Exam essays. He is a member of the New York and  Hawaii Bars.
  
The PALS Supplemental Bar Tutorial Program is made possible with the generous support of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.   
RSVP Today as seats are limited 
Registration will close on Friday, January 9, 2015

For further information on PALS, visit our website at www.palsprogram.org.

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PALS Mission Statement: 

PALS is dedicated to enhancing the skills and careers of minority law students and early career attorneys. PALS does this by offering customized mentoring, educational and professional development opportunities. PALS provides resources to augment the law school and employer training of, respectively, minority law students and beginning lawyers, and will continue to offer its services free of charge.

PALS is a 501©(3) not-for-profit organization.

Providing Mentoring, Career and Skills Development for Minorities in the Legal Profession Since 1984 

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Upcoming Manhattan Family Justice Center Trainings

Happy Holidays! The Manhattan Family Justice Center is happy to announce the following special trainings. Our training program provides professional development on relevant topics regarding intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and elder abuse for service providers, community leaders, and city agencies. Please feel free to share widely. Our next round of core trainings will start in mid-February, and I will send a separate announcement for those soon.
 
 
Monday, Jan. 26th 2-4 pm
Dealing with Trauma: Helping Clients in Emotional Distress
Facilitated by the Mental Health Association of NY
  • How to talk to someone who is very upset or angry
  • How to de-escalate a crisis using body language and tone of voice
  • Basics of crisis counseling
  • How to conduct a basic risk assessment
  • What to do if someone says they are suicidal
  • Using the crisis hotline LifeNet as a resource
  • This is part 1 of a 2-part training – the second will focus on mental health, cognitive effects of trauma, and PTSD
 
Thursday, Jan. 29th 10 am – 1 pm
Youth & Intimate Partner Violence
Facilitated by Day One, Sanctuary for Families, and ACS
  • Teen dating violence 101 including different types of abuse, red flags, social media, Day One services
  • Impact of IPV on youth, mental health, PTSD, intergenerational cycles of violence, Sanctuary for Families youth services
  • ACS mandatory reporting regulations and case studies, ACS’ preventative work, ACS youth programs
 
Thursday, February 5th 10 am – 1 pm
Intersections of Sexual Assault & Intimate Partner Violence: Focus on Intervention
Facilitated by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Mt. Sinai SAVI, & Black Women’s Blueprint
  • Legal and criminal definitions of sexual assault
  • Intersections of sexual violence and intimate partner violence
  • Comprehensive overview of sexual assault resources and services
  • How to talk to clients about sexual assault
  • Barriers to reporting, disclosing, and receiving services
  • How service providers can better support survivors through best practices
  • This is part 1 of a 2-part training – the second will focus on sexual assault prevention
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FALANY’s and LEGACY’s Legal Advocate Mentorship Project: Apply to be a Mentee or Mentor Today!

The Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), in partnership with LEGACY | NY, is proud to announce its inaugural Legal Advocate Mentorship Project (LAMP). FALANY and LEGACY invite college students and young professionals to apply to be a part of this exciting program. Applicants need not have a firm commitment to a legal career; all we are looking for are individuals who are intellectually curious, open-minded, and committed to giving back to the community. We also invite lawyers and other legal professionals to apply to contribute to LAMP – legal professionals can serve as Mentors, host Mentee events, lead workshops, and more.

Through mentorship and experiential learning, LAMP will introduce young Filipino Americans and Southeast Asian Americans to the wide spectrum of career options in the law.  LAMP will span the duration of the Spring 2015 semester, from late January to April. LAMP seeks to alleviate the underrepresentation of Filipino and Southeast Asian Americans in the legal profession by cultivating the next generation of lawyers in these communities.

LAMP is founded on three pillars: (1) Mentorship, (2) Community, and (3) Immersion. First, LAMP will enable Mentees to meet with Mentors, legal professionals, on a one-on-one basis so that they can learn more about the practice of law in an intimate, safe space. Second, Mentees will meet every two weeks as a group to hear from speakers, participate in workshops, and develop a robust community among themselves. Third, LAMP will set up immersion trips so that Mentees can observe the practice of law in real-time; trips will include visits to open court sessions, meetings, and other events.

Apply to be a Mentee by January 9, 2015 at http://bit.ly/applytolamp.

Legal professionals can apply to be a Mentor by January 9, 2015 at http://bit.ly/mentorforlamp.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].

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Seeking Volunteer Attorneys to Assist Appellate Judge

Judge seeks volunteer attorneys with experience in criminal, landlord-tenant, or consumer debt matters.  Judge presides on appellate cases and also handles some trial court matters.

Full-time or four days per week preferred, but flexible schedule can be arranged. A wonderful learning and mentee opportunity for volunteer, and an excellent resume-enhancer. Although not guaranteed, many of our former volunteers have moved onto paying legal positions. Opportunity to enhance research/writing and oral skills.

Willing to fill out paperwork for fellowships, if necessary. Rolling deadline. Opportunities open year round.

Please send cover letter, resume and references by email to:

Lynn Cho: [email protected]

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AALDEF Lunar New Year Gala, Feb. 23

SAVE THE DATE!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Year of the Ram

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Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Lunar New Year Gala & Justice in Action Awards Presentation

2015 Justice in Action Award Recipients

John W. Kuo
Varian Medical Systems
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary

Jessica Hagedorn
Novelist, poet, and playwright

Neal Katyal
Hogan Lovells
Partner

Emcees: Juju Chang & Sree Sreenivasan

PIER SIXTY, Chelsea Piers, NYC
6:00 PM Reception & Silent Auction
7:00 PM Dinner

For more information or to purchase tickets,
email [email protected] or call 212.966.5932.

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MinKwon Center for Community Action Seeks Community Organizer

Job Description

The MinKwon Center for Community Action invites applications for a Community Organizer. The Community Organizer would work in the Korean American, Asian American, and immigrant communities as part of the Civic Engagement Team to grow an informed, active base of community members who are fully engaged in the electoral process and in advocacy campaigns on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, fairer allocation of city and state budgets, and housing rights. This is a full-time position.

Job Responsibilities

The Community Organizer would have the following responsibilities:
Organizing & Advocacy

  • Engage in different forms of community outreach.
  • Mobilize community members to participate in campaigns.
  • Develop community members’ leadership’ abilities.
  • Coordinate regular member meetings, workshops, and other community-building and education forums.
  • Engage in advocacy campaigns on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform and tenants’ rights.
  • Provide support for Civic Engagement events.
  • Represent MinKwon Center and participate in meetings with other coalition groups.
  • Coordinate media and publicity to raise awareness.

Job Requirements

  • Interest and experience in working on social justice and immigrants’ rights issues
  • Spoken fluency or proficiency in Korean
  • Excellent communications skills
  • Ability to work well both independently and in teams
  • Flexibility in working evenings and weekends

Organization History and Mission

The MinKwon Center for Community Action was established in 1984 as the Young Korean American Service & Education Center (YKASEC) to meet the needs and concerns of the Korean American community. Since our founding, we have made a profound presence through various grassroots organizing, education, and advocacy initiatives that address important community issues, including immigration policies, voter rights, and cultural awareness. The MinKwon Center places a special emphasis on meeting the needs of our marginalized community members, including youth, elderly, recent immigrants, low-income residents, and limited-English-proficient residents.

The MinKwon Center will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please prepare a detailed cover letter and resume describing your interest in the organization and the position and email to:

Hyun-Jung Kim, Community Engagement Coordinator
[email protected]

NOTE: Make subject line of email “Application to Position: Community Organizer – [YOUR NAME]”

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Stacy Wu & Karen Lim – Intellectual Property Rising Stars, Super Lawyers

Stacy Wu & Karen Lim – Intellectual Property Rising Stars, Super Lawyers

Congratulations to Fross Zelnick attorneys Stacy Wu and Karen Lim, who have been named Rising Stars in Intellectual Property by Super Lawyers. Stacy is currently Co-Chair of AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee. Karen is the former Co-Chair of the IP Committee and a current Board Director. 

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. The selection process for the Rising Stars list is the same as the Super Lawyers selection process, with one exception: to be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. 

Please join us in congratulating Stacy and Karen. 

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Request: Pro Bono Guardian for Incapacitated Member of Chinatown Community Member

The New York Legal Assistance Group has passed along a request from the Chambers of Justice Visitacion-Lewis, New York State Supreme Court. The Court is currently seeking a person who would be willing to become a pro bono guardian for an incapacitated person who has close ties to the Chinatown community. The incapacitated person speaks English and some Mandarin. Knowledge of the Chinatown community would be key.

If you are interested in helping this person, please contact Tina Janssen-Spinosa at NYLAG directly at [email protected]. 

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LSNYC Delivers Landmark Win for NYC Students and their Families

Please see below a message from Raun Rasmussen, Executive Director of Legal Services NYC, on the wonderful work by Nelson Mar, a senior education law attorney at Bronx Legal Services and a member of AABANY’s own Government Service and Public Interest Committee, and his colleagues at Legal Services for New York City, which is AABANY’s collaborator in providing pro bono opportunities to our members and offering pro bono legal services to survivors of domestic violence. Congratulations to everyone involved in this important case!

I’m writing to highlight a landmark settlement in education policy won by Nancy Bedard (Brooklyn), Tara Foster (Queens), and Chris Lamb, Nelson Mar and Nanette Schorr, (Bronx), along with co-counsel from Cuti Hecker Wang, in T.H. et al. v. Farina, et al. The decision puts an end to the unnecessary and harmful practice of sending students who experience emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric events to the emergency room. Under a settlement approved by the U.S. District Court on Monday, the NYC Department of Education will now implement new protocols to avoid unnecessary 911 calls and better train NYC public school staff to de-escalate, rather than aggravate, encounters with children who are struggling.

Our litigation team represented 11 children and their parents in this case. The settlement is a win not only for these children and their parents, but for student rights and health throughout NYC public schools. Working together across the City, our advocates have had an enormous positive impact on the lives of those who need us most. As the year draws to a close, we look forward to even more successes in 2015.

The settlement has already garnered media attention in WNYC, the Wall Street Journal, and NY1. I encourage everyone to have a look at the coverage below. Great work team!

Links to coverage:

WNYC: City Agrees to Stop Schools from Using 911 for Discipline
Wall Street Journal: Students Suit Settled in New York City
NY1: http://www.ny1.com/content/news/education/220532/schools-adopt-new-policy-for-sending-students-to-er/