Tag: legal services

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NAPABA Opposes Proposed Elimination of Funding to the Legal Services Corporation

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2017

For More Information, Contact: 
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
[email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) strongly opposes the elimination of federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) as detailed in President Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget. The LSC was formed with the critical mission of ensuring that all citizens have equal access to civil legal services and the justice system — regardless of their ability to pay for counsel.

“We call on Congress to reject this proposal and increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation,” said NAPABA President Cyndie M. Chang. “As Congress has recognized in a bipartisan manner, the LSC plays a critical role in ensuring access to justice for individuals of all backgrounds, regards of their ability to pay. Asian Pacific American attorneys work for legal aid programs funded by the LSC and engage in pro bono community assistance programs that have their roots in the LSC. Most significantly, the elimination of funding means that the most vulnerable in our country would not receive critical legal assistance.”

Each year, LSC assists 1.9 million families across the country in every state in our nation. Clients of legal services organizations represent all ethnicities and ages, including those who are limited English proficient, immigrants, the working poor, veterans, people facing foreclosure or evictions, families with children, farmers, people with disabilities, domestic violence victims, natural disaster victims, and the elderly. Without the strong support of civil legal aid, these individuals would be faced with the prospect of appearing in court alone and representing themselves, without the assistance of counsel.

NAPABA stands with other bar associations (including the American Bar Association), over 150 major law firms, and countless advocates who have spoken out on the importance of adequately funding the LSC. NAPABA strongly supports the LSC and efforts to provide legal assistance to vulnerable populations.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of almost 50,000 attorneys and approximately 75 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.

NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

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An Open Letter from the MinKwon Center

An Open Letter from the MinKwon Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
November 18, 2016                       

For more information, contact:

James Hong

718.460.5600
[email protected]

Dear Friends, Allies and Community,

For decades, the MinKwon Center has fought for those oppressed and marginalized in society.  Today, our mission to empower our community takes on an unprecedented urgency.

  • Legal services and consultation for immigrants regarding their status will continue.  If you are undocumented, contact us immediately to see if you are eligible for a visa or other form of relief.  This includes anyone currently with DACA.
  • DACA recipients with expirations in the next 6 months should contact us immediately, to process a renewal.  We have begun offering additional clinic days to process these applications.
  • We are preparing know-your-rights workshops on protecting yourself when approached by immigration enforcement officials.
  • The Asian American Dreamers Collective, our undocumented young adult group, is convening special meetings and events for Dreamers to share a space of grief, pain and to respond together.
  • MinKwon is strategizing with our allies in the non-profit, government and philanthropic world on how to respond to a federal government hostile to immigrants in a way not seen in generations.

We are here to help, assist and empower the community.  As an organization committed to immigrants, the MinKwon Center is renewed in its sense of mission to serve the urgent needs of the vulnerable, and to give a voice to the undocumented, low-income, limited English proficient, and Asian Americans who are now at even greater risk.
 
This is not a time to stay silent, nor to accept what is happening to our family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers.  It is a time for action, and we invite you to join us.
 
Contact us if you have questions, need assistance or would like to volunteer.  Our number is 718-460-5600.

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Legal Services NYC Annual Diversity Open House

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February 27, 2014 – Diversity Open House is an unique opportunity for law students to learn about the important work done at Legal Services NYC, to meet our attorneys and find out about internship, fellowship and possible employment opportunities. Legal Services NYC is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the country and has neighborhood programs in all five boroughs. See, www.legalservicesnyc.org

The format of the Open House is fairly informal. The first hour of the program is table time. Each Legal Services NYC program will have a table staffed by an attorney or two who is available to meet with law students. Then there is a program consisting of brief staff presentations about our vital work and innovative projects. After these presentations there is time for more tabling. The Open House will end with a reception with light refreshments and this is another opportunity for students to meet and network with staff attorneys. Leadership from the various offices will attend the event

All law students must rsvp by February 20, 2014 to diversitycommittee@ls-nyc. org

Open House Program

4:30pm to 5:30pm – Networking and Tabling

5:30pm to 6:15 pm – Welcome: Raun Rasmussen

Innovative Projects Presentations on

  • Immigration Law Project
  • LGBTQI Project
  • Veterans Justice Project
  • Loan Forgiveness Programs

6:15pm to 7:30pm – Networking and Tabling

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Parents Protest Emergency Calls

Parents Protest Emergency Calls

Nelson Mar, AABANY Member, was quoted in a Dec. 15 Wall Street Journal article entitled “Parents Protest Emergency Calls.” The article focuses on Nelson’s case against the New York City Department of Education. Congratulations, Nelson! 

Nelson Mar, an attorney for Legal Services NYC who is representing the parents, said fire department protocols say that children can be transported by EMS against a parent’s wishes only when the child’s life is at stake, or if it is clear that even a small delay will jeopardize the child’s health.

“In some ways the schools are treating the hospital emergency rooms as timeout rooms,” he said.

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Hurricane Sandy Legal Relief Efforts from probono.net

Thanks to Yomi Ajaiyeoba, President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association, for passing this along:

As the process of recovery begins in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, at Pro Bono Net we express our deepest sympathy for those affected by this devastating natural disaster in New York, and beyond. Pro Bono Net stands ready to support the legal relief efforts that will come together over the next several weeks, and will keep you apprised of the latest developments. Several initiatives are already underway, including:

  • For Long Island-based lawyers: The Touro Law School in Central Islip is opening a Storm Help Center to provide referrals, assistance and legal advice for local residents and small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Thomas Maligno, Executive Director, Touro Law School Public Interest Center at [email protected].
  • The New York State Bar Association is recruiting volunteer attorneys to provide free telephone consultations to individuals affected by Sandy. If you are able to help, please visit www.nysba.org/DisasterVolunteerSandy and complete a volunteer form.
  • In New York City, New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has mobilized a legal aid disaster relief program to help victims of the storm deal with a range of legal issues. To volunteer to provide pro bono legal assistance, please email [email protected].
  • LawHelp/NY is compiling a current list of disaster relief resources and information for New Yorkers at http://www.lawhelp.org/link.cfm?3607.
  • Pro Bono Net is collaborating with the American Bar Association, Legal Services Corporation, and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association on the National Disaster Legal Aid website (http://www.disasterlegalaid.org/), where Hurricane Sandy resources and information are being posted regularly.
  • Pro Bono Net is participating in a gathering at the City Bar of New York City legal services and pro bono leaders this coming Monday, November 5, 2012, to discuss coordination of relief efforts. Please join the NYC Pro Bono Center (http://www.probono.net/ny/nyc/jointhisarea/) to keep apprised of pro bono efforts as we move forward.

We would like to hear from you about other ways that we can serve the pro bono community and strengthen your efforts in this time of recovery – please contact me with your news and ideas at [email protected].

We look forward to your participation in this dynamic recovery process, and thank you for your commitment to helping the individuals, families, and institutions shaken by Hurricane Sandy.

Sincerely,

Adam Friedl
Pro Bono Coordinator | Pro Bono Net
212.760.2554 x 490 | [email protected]
probono.net | lawhelp.org
lawyers serving the public good

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