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January 28, 2013

CORRECTION – Sandy Resources and FEMA Application Deadline: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27th, 2013

**CORRECTION**

As of today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that FEMA has also given New York a 30-day extension for applying for individual assistance. In addition, FEMA has extended access to its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, by 14 days. That will allow New Yorkers to stay in hotels through February 9 (check-out is Sunday, February 10th) if their homes were damaged by the storm.

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FEMA BENEFITS HAS BEEN EXTENDED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27th, 2013
Click HERE to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

Dear Friends,

As our community is still struggling because of immigration status restrictions on disaster relief benefits, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) continues to call on the Mayor and Governor to make more relief assistance available to all New Yorkers. Our colleagues at the New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) are working hard through their Unmet Needs Roundtable to make funds available to support immigrants who do not qualify because of these restrictions. In addition, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has taken some steps to assist organizations working with immigrants. But more needs to be done. We will keep you posted on future developments.

Despite the limitations on existing benefits for Sandy victims, this link will give you a list of resources that are currently available.

If you have any questions, requests, or concerns please reach out to Manny Castro at [email protected] or (212) 627-2227 x 246.

January 26, 2013December 4, 2018

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On January 24, 2013, AABANY held its Annual Meeting. It was hosted by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, in their New York office, and the firm generously provided space, food and drinks for all our attendees. At the meeting, many AABANY members and friends got to meet and mingle before the business portion of the Annual Meeting began. President Jean Lee led the meeting and invited members to cast their votes for officers and directors if they had not already done so. While the votes were being counted, she gave an overview of AABANY’s active and productive year in 2012. Executive Director Yang Chen reported on the activities of AABANY’s numerous committees, after which he announced the Outstanding Committee of the Year award. This year’s top committee was the Women’s Committee for the excellent variety of substantive programs and networking events that greatly enhanced AABANY and its mission. President-elect Mike Huang gave closing remarks and would have announced the results of the election had they been ready at that time, but they were not, so the audience was invited to continue enjoying food, drink and each other’s company. At about 8:45 pm, the results were ready, and Mike proudly announced that the following Officers had been elected:

Clara Ohr, President-elect

James Yu, Vice President of Programs and Operations

William Wang, Vice President of Finance and Development

Jane Chuang, Treasurer

Karen Kim, Recording Secretary

Judy Kim, Membership Secretary

The following Directors were elected:

James Lin

James Chou

Francis Chin

Linda Lin

Teena-Ann V. Sankoorikal

AABANY’s Year-End Report for 2012 was distributed at the meeting along with the current issue of AABANY’s newsletter, The AABANY Advocate. To review a copy of the Year-End Report online go to http://bit.ly/ann_rpt13.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Annual Meeting, and thanks to everyone who submitted proxies to help us obtain quorum. We hope to see you at our upcoming events in 2013, in particular our 24th Annual Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street coming up on February 27.

(Source: http://bit.ly/)

January 26, 2013

Webinar: The Challenge of International Judgment Enforcement

Join The Asian Lawyer and Kobre & Kim LLP for a Live Webinar. AABANY’s Advisory Committee Member Michael Kim is a featured speaker.

Asset recovery and judgment enforcement with an Asian angle can be challenging. This seminar will focus on how to leverage combined action in Asia, the Caribbean and the U.S. to achieve effective outcomes for clients.

Topics covered will include:

Sequencing enforcement in key Asian jurisdictions, to leverage intra-Asian judgment enforcement treaties;

Using interim remedies (injunctions, discovery orders, etc.) in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and other offshore financial centers;

Using discovery procedures available through the U.S. court system to assist international actions;

Seeking assistance from U.S. and other governments known to be aggressive in international asset forfeiture; and

Applying best practices in preparing for and managing the unique investigative demands of foreign asset recovery.

Find all the details for this program and register here.

January 26, 2013

AALDEF 2013 Summer Legal Internships

ASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND
2013 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Founded in 1974, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

Internships for the summer of 2013 are available in the following program areas:

Anti-Trafficking Initiative – legal research and writing on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as outreach, community education, and advocacy on the rights of exploited and abused workers.
Community Health Care Initiative – legal research, community education and outreach in the areas of immigration, government benefits, language rights, and health care access;
Economic Justice for Workers – legal research, advocacy and direct representation on behalf of Asian immigrant workers experiencing wage-and-hour, retaliation, and workplace safety violations in the restaurant, nail salon, domestic work, and other low-wage industries.
Educational Equity – legal services, policy work, community education, research and litigation concerning educational equity, juvenile justice, affirmative action, student free-speech and police surveillance, and anti-Asian harassment;
Housing Justice Project – community outreach/education, community planning, research, and litigation on housing and land use issues affecting low-income Asian immigrant communities;
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 immigrant 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 Secure Communities.
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 the redrawing of local, state, and federal district lines; produce reports and organize public forums; assist in organizing legal trainings.

Description of Summer Internship Program:
The summer program is ten weeks, from approximately June 3 through August 9. Interns work full-time and are supervised by attorneys in specific program areas. Depending on the program area, interns will work on litigation, legal and policy advocacy, community outreach and education, or client intakes; each program area differs in emphasis. Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups. The position is unpaid. However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding. Academic credit can be arranged.

To Apply:
·   AALDEF has extended its legal internship application deadline to Friday, February 1, 2013. Interested applicants should e-mail or mail a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to AALDEF on or before that date at the address below. Please indicate in your cover letter the top three preferred program areas. Only law students qualify for AALDEF’s legal internships. Applications may be faxed or emailed.
·   Any bilingual ability should be stated in the application. Bilingual ability is helpful, but not required. Gujarati, Hindi, Khmer, Korean, Indonesian, and Urdu-speaking applicants are especially urged to apply.
·   Applications will be reviewed upon receipt through the February 1, 2013 deadline. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. Only applicants who have been granted interviews will be notified of their advancement in the application process.

Summer Internship Search (Legal)
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, New York 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303 Email: [email protected]

For more information, contact:
Shirley Lin at 212-966-5932 x220 or [email protected]
Thomas Mariadason at 212-966-5932 x223 or [email protected]

* * *Please do NOT email applications to [email protected] or [email protected] * * *

# # #

UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups. The summer program is ten (10) weeks, beginning approximately June 3rd through August 9th. The position is unpaid. However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding and work-study funds may also be available. Academic credit can be arranged.

Community Health Care Initiative: community education and outreach in the areas of immigration, government benefits, language rights, and health care access.
Educational Equity Intern: Responsibilities include community outreach and presentations with Asian American youth groups, public education policy research, assistance with client intakes and general support for projects on educational equity, juvenile justice, affirmative action, student free-speech and police surveillance, and anti-Asian harassment.
Housing & Environmental Justice Project: Responsibilities include community outreach and research on land use, community planning, and anti-displacement issues.
Office Assistant: Responsibilities include data entry, organizing press clippings, answering phones, doing mailings, assisting with fundraising and other events, and performing general clerical duties. Other responsibilities include providing support for community education and outreach projects and acting as an interpreter/translator. Computer experience with databases, graphics and web programs is helpful.
Voting Rights Intern: research and fact development under the Voting Rights Act and Equal Protection Clause challenging anti-Asian voter discrimination, advocacy on bilingual ballots, and the redrawing of local, state and federal district lines; produce reports and organize public forums; assist in organizing legal trainings; help prepare for election monitoring of the 2013 Mayoral Elections; conduct voter registration drives.

Requirements: Candidates must be detail-oriented and possess strong writing skills. Spoken and written knowledge of Korean, Bangla, Chinese, or another Asian language is a plus. Qualified applicants should indicate which internship they are applying for and send a resume and cover letter by Monday, February 11, 2013 to:

Summer Undergraduate Intern Search
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York, New York 10013
fax: 212.966.4303 or email: [email protected]

For more information, contact Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932, ext. 212 or [email protected]

January 26, 2013

NYCCC Lunar New Year Celebration

Arts & Crafts, Music, Dance, and Culture:

Lunar New Year Festival 2013

INTO THE BOROUGHS: SPRING CELEBRATION

Date: Saturday and Sunday, February 2 – 3, February 9 – 10, and February 16 – 17, 2013

Place: Children’s Museum of the Arts, Children’s Museum of Manhattan (Manhattan), Queens Theatre (Queens), and Brooklyn Millennium High School (Brooklyn)

Fees: FREE for Feb 9th & 10th; Family Festival at Children’s Museum of Manhattan and Children’s Museum of the Arts are free with museum admission

(New York, NY) New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) is staging a 3-weekend Chinese culture program to celebrate the beginning of spring and welcome the Year of Snake. Lunar New Year is the largest and most important annual festival celebrated by Chinese and Chinese descendants around the world. Followed by a triumphed celebration at the World Financial Center Winter Garden in 2012, NYCCC is bringing its most popular and celebrated program to the boroughs.

This year, to kick off the festival with the family program, on February 2nd & 3rd, NYCCC partners with Children’s Museum of the Arts to present live Chinese traditional music, ribbon, and sword dance, as well as hands-on crafts activities, including Chinese paper cutting, creating dough figurines, and calligraphy writing, that will allow young children and family the up, close & personal experience with Chinese crafts and folk arts. Events are free with admission.

As the day proceeding toward the Chinese New Year, on the following Saturday and Sunday, February 9th & 10th, the festival will step in to the boroughs with its main performance at the Queens Theatre and Brooklyn Millennium High School. The 2-day festival will start with 60 minutes hands-on arts & crafts activities include paper cutting, dough figurines, and calligraphy in the lobby, followed by a 70 minutes stage performance. The performances include traditional Chinese sword, ribbon, folk dance, and Peking Opera featuring the living Peking Opera legend, Qi Shu-fang; as well the modern Chinese rock band, Hsu-nami, known for its daring integration of the rock sound with the Chinese classical music instrument: Erhu. Click here to find out more information on artists.

Also on February 16th & 17th, Chinese Ink Brush Painting workshop and young Chinese dancers performing in traditional costumes will take place at Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Registration for the workshop is one hour before each program and tickets for performance are distributed beginning one hour before each performance. Both events are free with admission.

The New York Chinese Cultural Center has produced annual Lunar New Year Festivals for 25 consecutive years to sold-out audiences. It’s the most popular and most see program for Chinese New Year celebration in New York City. By partnering with local cultural institutions such as Queens Theatre and Children Museum of the Arts, NYCCC is able to bring the celebrated program to different boroughs.

Press Release: Congratulations Lillian M. Moy, Recipient of NYSBA’S 2013 Diversity Trailblazer Award

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) applauds the selection of Lillian M. Moy, as the recipient of the 2013 New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Diversity Trailblazer Award. The NYSBA Committee on Diversity presented the 2013 Diversity Trailblazer Award at an Award Presentation and Networking Reception during the 10th Annual Celebrating Diversity in the Bar Reception held on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the New York Hilton in New York City.

“We are thrilled that NYSBA has recognized Lillian with the Diversity Trailblazer Award. Her commitment and dedication to promoting diversity in the legal profession is well known to us, as she has been a constant and passionate proponent of getting AABANY and other diverse and specialty bar associations more involved with NYSBA and other mainstream bar associations. Her work has greatly improved the visibility and participation of lawyers of color in bar groups and the legal profession. We are proud to count her among our most prominent members in AABANY. Congratulations, Lillian!” said Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY.

To read the full text of the press release go to http://www.aabany.org/associations/6701/files/PR%20012413%20-%20Lillian%20Moy%20NYSBA.pdf.

January 22, 2013

NAPABA Applauds the Appointment of Judge Carla Wong McMillian To The Georgia Court of Appeals

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal appointed Judge Carla Wong McMillian to be a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Judge McMillian is the first Asian Pacific American state appellate court judge to be appointed in the Southeast Region of the United States.

“We applaud Governor Deal for this historic appointment,” stated Wendy Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “Judge McMillian has distinguished herself on the Georgia trial court bench, and we believe that all of Georgia benefits from having a highly qualified and diverse Court of Appeals.”

Judge McMillian has been a state court judge in Fayette County, Georgia since 2010. In 2012, she became the first Asian Pacific American female judge to be elected in Georgia. Prior to Judge McMillian’s appointment to the bench, she was a partner at the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP, where she focused on complex litigation. She has been listed as a “Rising Star” in Georgia Super Lawyers in 2007 and 2010. NAPABA recognized her as one of its “Best Lawyers Under 40” in 2012. Judge McMillian is a proud Georgian, whose grandparents immigrated to the United States from China in the 1920s and whose mother is from Hong Kong.

NAPABA congratulates Judge McMillian on her appointment and commends Governor Deal for his initiative in diversifying the judiciary.

January 22, 2013

Governor Nominates Jenny Rivera, Professor at CUNY Law School, to Serve on NYS Court of Appeals

State of New York | Executive Chamber
Andrew M. Cuomo | Governor
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2013

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NOMINATION FOR COURT OF APPEALS

Governor Nominates Jenny Rivera, Professor at CUNY Law School, to Serve on NYS Court of Appeals

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today nominated Jenny Rivera, Professor at the City University of New York School of Law, to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals.

Professor Rivera, a longtime Bronx resident and New York native, has had a long and distinguished career in public service. She has held many varied positions, as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of New York City, as an Associate Counsel for the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (renamed Latino Justice PRLDEF), and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She was Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights from 2002 to 2007. In 2007 she joined the Office of New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as Special Deputy Attorney General for Civil Rights.

“Throughout her career, Professor Rivera has worked to defend the legal rights of all New Yorkers and make our state a fairer, more just place to live,” Governor Cuomo said. “As a Judge on the Court of Appeals, Professor Rivera’s legal expertise and passion for social justice will serve all New Yorkers well, and I am proud to send her nomination to the Senate today.”

Professor Rivera said, “I am deeply honored to be nominated by Governor Cuomo to serve on our Court of Appeals. As a lifetime New Yorker, this nomination is a special opportunity for me to continue to serve the people of New York. As a member of the Court of Appeals, I will work each day to uphold the laws of the state and advocate for fairness and justice, and I thank the Governor for this opportunity.”

This year, Professor Rivera will receive the Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. In 2012, she received the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Diversity Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2011 received the NYSBA Kay Crawford Murray Award. She is a graduate of Princeton University, and received her J.D. from the New York University School of Law and her LL.M, from Columbia University School of Law.

U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez said, “The nomination of Jenny Rivera to serve on the Court of Appeals is great news for all New Yorkers. Professor Rivera is a true public servant, and has spent her entire career as a strong, committed advocate for justice and fairness. Her legal knowledge, talents, and vast expertise will be highly valued on the Court of Appeals, and I commend Governor Cuomo for this nomination.”

Seymour W. James, Jr., President of the New York State Bar Association, said, “Jenny Rivera would bring to the Court of Appeals her keen intellect, insightful legal scholarship and a commitment to equal justice for all New Yorkers. The State Bar Association has rated her as well qualified for the position. In 2012, she won our Diversity Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award and, in 2010, she was the recipient of our Kay Crawford Murray Award. Her professional achievements also are being recognized in February by the American Bar Association with its prestigious Spirit of Excellence Award.”

Peter M. Reyes, Jr., Hispanic National Bar Association National President, said, “By appointing Jenny Rivera to serve on the Court of Appeals, Governor Cuomo is selecting one of New York’s sharpest legal minds to the highest bench in the state. Professor Rivera’s qualifications, lifetime dedication to public service, and reputation as a legal scholar and neutral advocate render her the right choice for the Court of Appeals. We commend the Governor for this nomination.”

Elena Goldberg Velazquez, President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, said, “I commend Governor Cuomo for nominating Jenny Rivera to serve on the State Court of Appeals. Professor Rivera is one of New York’s most gifted legal minds, and with this appointment, Governor Cuomo is nominating an extraordinarily qualified Latina to New York State’s highest court. Professor Rivera has been one of the most active and longstanding members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and we are very proud of her. Throughout her career, Professor Rivera has fought for justice and social inclusion, and all New Yorkers will benefit from her voice and commitment to fairness.”

Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of the City University of New York, said, “We commend Governor Cuomo for the inspiring appointment of CUNY Law School Professor Jenny Rivera, a highly regarded scholar and teacher who will bring an impressive breadth of professional experience and judgment to the New York State Court of Appeals. On behalf of the entire community of The City University of New York, we extend our warmest congratulations.”

Michelle J. Anderson, Dean of the CUNY School of Law and Professor of Law, said, “Professor Rivera’s deep understanding and grasp of the law, as well as her temperament and integrity, make her an ideal selection to serve New Yorkers on the state’s highest court. For the years she taught our students at CUNY School of Law, Professor Rivera was a role model and example of an individual who put service to others before all else, and whose passion for equality, justice, and fairness was evident in everything she did. We commend Governor Cuomo for nominating Professor Rivera to the Court of Appeals, and look forward to her swift confirmation.”

John Sexton, President of New York University, said, “The nomination of Professor Jenny Rivera, a 1995 graduate of NYU Law School where she was a Root Tilden scholar and a former law clerk to Justice Sonya Sotomayor, does us all proud. I have known Jenny since her time at NYU where she was a student of mine in the Root Tilden Scholarship Program, which I directed. Back then, Professor Rivera was an impressive student who possessed a first rate intellect and a deep sense of compassion. Since her graduation from law school, Professor Rivera has been a distinguished member of the bar, a champion of civil rights and social justice, and at various times a dedicated public servant. If confirmed, her addition to the New York Court of Appeal as an Associate Justice will benefit all the People of this State as well as those who look to our Courts for justice. NYU commends Governor Cuomo for his excellent selection and congratulates Professor Rivera and her family.

January 22, 2013

Competition THRIVE

View this email in your browser January 11, 2013
Competition THRIVE feature image

Empowering and Rewarding New York City’s Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Enter Competition THRIVE – it’s a unique competition seeking original, innovative strategies and programs that help immigrant entrepreneurs succeed in business. Your submission could be a winner.

Round I: $25,000 awarded to five semi-finalists to pilot their program and create a business plan
Round II: $100,000 to one grand prize winner plus promotional services to further scale their program

Submission Period: Feb 1 – March 7, 2013

For more information and to download proposal guidelines, visit www.nycedc.com/thrive, email [email protected] or call Lendynette Pacheco-Jorge at 646-312-4799. Additionally, an information session will be held on Feb 7, 2013 for potential applicants to learn more about the competition.

January 14, 2013

NYSBA: Empire State Counsel Program

Passing along some important information from NYSBA:

Office of the President

Dear Jean:

I write in my capacity as the President of the New York State Bar Association to tell you about the Empire State Counsel® Program and cordially invite you to join the ranks of this elite group. The Empire State Counsel® Program is a purely voluntary initiative which seeks to recognize those who perform significant pro bono service.

The Empire State Counsel® designation is reserved exclusively for NYSBA members who, during the calendar year, performed 50 hours or more of free legal assistance either through direct legal representation of a low-income individual; or by donating free legal services to an organization whose services are designed primarily to address the legal and other basic needs of persons of limited financial means; or by providing free legal services to an organization dedicated to increasing the availability of legal services to vulnerable and/or low-income populations. The program is open to NYSBA members even if they are employed in another state or overseas. If you are not currently a member of the Association, but otherwise meet the criteria, we hope that you will consider becoming a member. If you join the Association by February 28th, you will receive a free membership to the section of your choice and a free NYSBA tote bag. Click here to access the Membership Application.

To date, more than 6,897 NYSBA members, located in virtually every state in the United States, as well as in Europe, Indonesia, Africa, Canada and India, have achieved this distinction. Since the program was launched by then President Mark Alcott approximately six years ago, Empire State Counsel® members, collectively, have donated 1,001,924 hours of free legal services to individuals and families. Our members’ pro bono contributions have provided critical legal assistance in the areas of mortgage foreclosure, landlord-tenant issues, bankruptcy, immigration, asylum, domestic violence, child custody, and vital government benefits.

In recognition of the significant contributions our members make to pro bono through their law firms, the Association plans to award a plaque to the law firms enrolling the largest number of Empire State Counsel® for service during 2012. An award will also be presented to two individual attorneys whose pro bono contribution made a significant difference during 2012.

Individual honorees will receive a certificate suitable for framing and the signature Empire State Counsel® lapel pin. Honorees may use this honorific designation as a credential on their resume and the names of the individual honorees will be published in a variety of Association publications. Empire State Counsel® honorees will be recognized during the Association’s Annual Meeting at the complimentary Justice for All Luncheon which will be held on Thursday, January 24th at the Hilton New York, from 12:30 to 2:00pm.

Kindly share this letter with the attorneys at your firm who are actively involved in pro bono. Hopefully they will find the program worthwhile and wish to register. Enrollment is open now through the end of February 2013. The 2012 Verification Form is a fillable PDF form that is available online at www.nysba.org/2012ESCVF and may be submitted directly to the Department of Pro Bono Affairs for processing. Alternatively, if it is more convenient, the firm’s pro bono coordinator may submit a list of attorney names and their respective pro bono hours, together with a single completed verification form attesting to the accuracy of the list. The Department of Pro Bono Affairs will be responsible for determining the membership status of each attorney and will relay that information back to the firm pro bono coordinator. Any questions about the program may be directed to Gloria Herron Arthur, Director, Department of Pro Bono Affairs, at [email protected] or by telephone at (518) 487-5641.

Thank you for your consideration of this program.

Sincerely,

Seymour W. James, Jr., President