Tag: New York

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Meet the Presidents of Affinity Bar Associations

Meet the Presidents of Affinity Bar Associations

In its latest article, the New York Law Journal has featured the newly elected Presidents of Affinity Bar Associations for 2017. Among them is Dwight Yoo, the current President of AABANY.

Here is a short excerpt on Dwight:

Dwight Yoo, 43, is a partner in the corporate finance and
financial institutions departments of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law
School and began practicing in 2000.

His term began on April 1.

Yoo
said that the group’s theme this year is “take charge and lead change,”
and they plan to promote Asian American talent for executive level
positions and diversify the bench at the state and federal levels.

The
approximately 1,100-member group wants to help Asian Americans in need
develop a “strong and unified voice” and be able to speak up on issues
which matter to them. To that end, they will be launching a leadership
institute in the fall to train mid-level to senior Asian American
attorneys at law firms and help them gain the “knowledge and skills to
get promoted in their firms.”

Congratulations again to all newly elected Bar Presidents that are profiled!

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Hon. Peter Tom Speech at NYCLA Dinner on Dec. 13, 2016

Hon. Peter Tom Speech at NYCLA Dinner on Dec. 13, 2016

The Appellate Division, First Department was honored as an institution by the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) on December 13, 2016 at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria.  The First Department was recognized for its illustrious history and for its court work including the development of precedential legal principles for lower courts to follow, especially in the field of commercial litigation.

The gala was attended by over 100 judges and over 800 attorneys and guests.

Acting Presiding Justice Peter Tom accepted the award on behalf of the First Department. In his remarks, he observed:

In so many respects, we reflect this great city that is our home. We live amidst its blessings and
its problems, and above all, among its people. Our staff and our bench reflect the cultural
diversity of the City. In my earlier years on the First Department bench, I have been joined by
judges having the more traditional Irish, Italian and Jewish backgrounds – and Leo Milonas
proudly represented the Hellenic tradition – but increasingly, up to present, by judges and staff
who have African-American and Hispanic backgrounds and, as is obvious as I stand here now,
also Asians. I think that it is especially remarkable at this point in our city’s history that my
good friend Justice Randy Eng is the Presiding Justice of our sister-court in Brooklyn while I am
Acting Presiding Justice of the First Department. This is the first time in the history of New
York State that two Asians preside over two of the four judicial departments. After a century in
existence, this court is beginning to reflect the diverse population of the city.

AABANY congratulates the First Department on this honor from NYCLA and shares in Justice Tom’s observation that the court, after 100 years, is “beginning to reflect the diverse population of the city.” We hope that it continues to do so.

For the full text of Acting Presiding Justice Tom’s acceptance speech, follow the link in the title. To read more about the event in the New York Law Journal, click here (subscription required).

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Photo of Justice Eng (l.) and Justice Tom (r.) at the NYCLA Annual Dinner courtesy of Justice Tom.

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Organizational Statement | Judicial Selection Process in New York

NAPABA is aware of a highly unusual development in the judicial selection process in the State of New York. It is our understanding that, for the first time in the state’s history, a local screening committee has declined to vote a sitting judge, Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, out of committee, thereby denying her the opportunity to seek re-election, with the effect of removing her from the bench. While we are also aware of press reports of potential changes in this development, to our knowledge, the decision of the screening panel has not been reversed, and Justice Ling-Cohan is not on the ballot for the November election. Justice Ling-Cohan is the first and only Asian Pacific American woman on the appellate courts of New York. This statistic is particularly striking, as Asian Pacific Americans make up 7.3 percent of the population of New York. We encourage our local affiliates, who are closest to the process and to the relevant players, to closely investigate and monitor the situation, and for the New York legal community to take every step necessary to ensure that judges are treated fairly and on the merits, and are given the opportunity to confront and respond to any expressed concerns or objections.

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 approximately 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.

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Tested Film Screenings: New York, May 23-26

It’s not often your film gets handed an award by an Oscar winning actress, but that’s what happened last week to Tested. Geena Davis and the Bentonville Film Festival gave us their Highest Diversity Award. 

Looking forward, we’re back in New York for a series of screenings this week:

Mon., May 23
La Guardia Community College
1:00pm, Room E-242, Queens, NY

Tues., May 24
Teach for America
6:30pm, 25 Broadway, 12th Fl, New York

Wed., May 25
SAYA @ NYU
Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at NYU
6:30pm, 255 Sullivan Street, New York

Thurs., May 26
Lincoln Center Film Society
(SOLD OUT)
5:00pm

We’re planning our Fall Tour including stops in Virginia, Massachusetts, Oregon, Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, as well as Europe and Asia.  Whether you’ve seen Tested, or hope we bring a screening to your city, consider a tax-deductible donation to our efforts!

-Team Tested

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO DEFEND ASIAN AMERICAN VOTING RIGHTS NY • NJ • MA • PA • NV • MI • TX • GA • LA • VA • MD • DC Asian American Poll Monitoring for Mid-Term — Tuesday, November 4, 2014

In past elections, Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers in exercising their right to vote.  When the news media reported on election results, Asian Americans were overlooked.  In response, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund along with several partners will monitor the elections for bilingual ballots under the federal Voting Rights Act and to document instances of anti-Asian voter disenfranchisement.

We need your help.  In the 2012 elections, 850 volunteers polled 9,096 Asian American voters in 14 states and Washington, DC.  Volunteers work in 3-hour shifts.  There will be a 90-minute training session for all volunteers.  (Attorneys can receive 1.5 CLE credits including 0.5 ethics credit.)  Sign up online here.  Thank you!

For more information, contact: AALDEF Staff Attorney Jerry Vattamala or Voting Rights Organizer Judy Lei at 800-966-5946 or [email protected]

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AALDEF 2014 Poll Monitoring Trainings
Lite Lunch/ Dinner will be provided.  
Advanced Registration required.  Sign up here.

Tues., Oct. 14 – Boston
8:30 a.m. – Mintz Levin, 1 Financial Center, Boston, MA 02110
12 noon – Ropes & Gray, 800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199
6 p.m. – Edwards Wildman, 111 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02199

Wed, Oct. 15 – New York City
12 noon – Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

Thurs, Oct. 16 – New York City
12 noon – Weil Gotshal, 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153
6 p.m. – Wilson Elser, 150 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017

Fri, Oct. 17 – Las Vegas
12:30 p.m. – Ballard Spahr,  100 North City Parkway, Suite 1750, Las Vegas, NV 89106
6 p.m. – Location TBD

Mon, Oct. 20- Washington DC
12 p.m. – Finnegan, I St NW # 700, Washington, DC 20005
6 p.m. – Crowell & Moring, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Tues, Oct. 21 – Atlanta
12 noon – Ballard Spahr, 999 Peachtree Street, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30309
6 p.m. – CPACS, 3510 Shallowford Rd NE, Chamblee, GA 30341

Wed, Oct. 22 – Houston
12 noon – Fullbright & Jaworski, 1301 McKinney St #5100, Houston, TX 77010
6 p.m. – OCA-Greater Houston, 9800 Town Park #142, Houston TX 77036

Thurs, Oct. 23- New Orleans
2 p.m. – Cotton, Schmidt & Abbot, 650 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130
6 p.m. – VAYLA, 13235 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129

Thurs., Oct, 23 – Ann Arbor/Detroit
12 noon – Detroit, location TBD
6 p.m. –  University of Michigan Law School, 625 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (tentative location)

Mon, Oct. 27 – Newark, NJ
12 noon – McCarter & English, 100 Mulberry St, Newark, NJ 07102

 Tues, Oct. 28 – Manhattan
12 noon – Baker Hostetler, 45 Rockefeller Plaza #10, New York, NY 10111
6 p.m. – Debevoise & Plimpton, 919 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022

Wed, Oct. 29 – Philadelphia
12 noon – Ballard Spahr, 1735 Market St #5100, Philadelphia, PA 19103
6 p.m. – BPSOS – South Philly, 600 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (tentative location)

Wed, Oct. 29 – Brooklyn
12:45pm – Brooklyn Law School, 250 Joralemon St, Room 500, New York, NY 11201

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AALDEF 2014 Poll Monitoring Co-Sponsors
List as of September 17, 2014.

NATIONAL CO-SPONSORS
Alliance of South Asian American Labor
APIAVote
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
North American South Asian Bar Association
OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates
South Asian Americans Leading Together

LOCAL CO-SPONSORS
APIA Vote – Michigan
Asian American Society of Central Virginia
Boat People SOS Delaware Valley – PA
Center for Pan Asian Community Services – GA
Chhaya CDC – NY
Chinese Community Federation of Atlanta – GA
Chinese Progressive Association – MA
Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia
Hunter College/CUNY, Asian American Studies Program – NY
Korean American Civic Empowerment of NY/NJ
MinKwon Center for Community Action – NY
OCA Georgia Chapter
OCA Greater Houston Chapter
OCA Las Vegas Chapter
Princeton Asian American Students Association – NJ
University of Maryland, College Park, Asian American Studies Program
University of Massachusetts Boston, Asian American Studies Program
Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans – LA

LEGAL CO-SPONSORS
Asian American Bar Association of Houston
Asian American Bar Association of New York
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
Asian American Legal Advocacy Center of Georgia
Asian Bar Association of Las Vegas – NV
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Washington, DC
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania
Asian Pacific American Lawyers Assoc. of New Jersey
Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center – DC
Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Greater Boston Legal Services: Asian Outreach Unit – MA
Korean Amer. Bar Assoc. of the Washington DC Area
Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater NY
Louisiana Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Pace Law School, Public Interest Law Center – NY
Suffolk U. Law School, Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service – MA
and Asian Pacific American Law Student Association chapters across the country.

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Empire Justice Center Diversity Clerkship Program – Rochester, New York

This program seeks to increase diversity in the legal profession in the Rochester area by attracting qualified second-year law students from historically under-represented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities or those who grew up in low income households, to work in a paid position with our organization. By providing a Rochester-based work experience to law students of diverse backgrounds, we believe we are moving toward the long-term goal of increasing diversity in the legal community.

Empire Justice Center strongly believes that a diverse work force results in better service to clients and a better work environment for attorneys and staff. We are committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting attorneys who contribute to the overall diversity of the legal community in Rochester.

The summer clerkship is expected to run for no longer than ten weeks in total and will include a $6,650 stipend.

Program Specifics (subject to change):

1. Application: Eligible second year law students are required to submit a formal application, current resume, law school transcripts, a personal statement and the designated writing sample on or before the submission deadline of Thursday October 30, 2014 to [email protected].

2. Interview: Based on the application materials submitted, qualified candidates will be invited to Rochester for an interview conducted by members of the Diversity Clerkship Hiring Committee and various staff attorneys of the organization, on Saturday November 22, 2014.

Students must secure their own transportation to Rochester for the interviews; however, students facing challenges traveling to Rochester should contact Rebecah Corcoran for potential assistance or to discuss alternatives.

3. Selection Process: After the interviews, the Diversity Clerkship Hiring Committee will rank students based on the following criteria (being an agent for social and economic change, commitment to and interest in legal services, writing skills and interview/interpersonal skills) and then will select the student who will be offered the Clerkship, along with alternates.

4. Offers: The selected student will be given three days to accept the initial offer. If the offer is declined, the position will be extended to an alternate until the position is filled.

TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION ON PLEASE VISIT

www.empirejustice.org, Your Career Placement Office or Symplicity.

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EDNY Magistrate Judge Vacancy

PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE VACANCY

There is one (1) full-time United States Magistrate Judge position vacancy at the Long Island Courthouse of the Eastern District of New York located at 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, NY 11722 effective August 5, 2014.  The duties of the position are demanding and wide-ranging, and will include: (1) conduct of preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court; (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants; and (5) assignment of additional duties not inconsistent with the Constitution and the laws of the United States.

The basic jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge is specified in 28 U.S.C., section 636.  To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must: (a) be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years; (b) have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutions authorized); © be competent to perform all the duties of the office, of good moral character, emotionally stable and mature, committed to equal justice under the law, in good health, patient and courteous, and capable of deliberation and decisiveness; (d) be less than 70 years old; and (e) not be related to a judge of the district court.  An applicant should have federal court experience and be knowledgeable in federal civil and criminal practices and procedures.

A Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and other residents of the district will review all applications and recommend in confidence to the judges of the district court the five persons whom it considers best qualified.  The Court will make the appointment following an FBI and IRS investigation of the appointees.  An affirmative effort will be made to give due consideration to all qualified candidates, including women and members of minority groups.  The salary of each position is now $183,172 per annum.  The term of office is eight years.

Please note that the application form can be accessed on-line at the district’s website: www.nyed.uscourts.gov.  Application forms also may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York 11201, (718) 613-2270.  Applications must be personally prepared by potential nominees and must be received no later than September 19, 2014.  A disk in Word or pdf and seventeen (17) copies of the completed application must be mailed or delivered to the office of the Clerk of Court at the above address.

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From MinKwon Center: Candidate Forum – NY State Senate District 11

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Time & Date

6:30 PM, Tuesday, August 19th

Place

Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel Phoenix Room (2nd Floor)
135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354

 

Contact: James Hong ([email protected] / 718-460-5600 ext. 209)

Simultaneous translation will be provided in Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish!

This is a non-partisan event.  Absolutely no campaign paraphernalia will be allowed on the premises.

All candidates have been invited to the event.

Ask your questions on our Facebook page!

Click here for the District Map!

_______________________________________________________________

Host Organizations

Chhaya CDC
Chinese American Planning Council
Flushing Jewish Community Council
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
La FuenteMinKwon Center for Community Action
New Immigrant Community Empowerment
OCA-NY APA Advocate
New York Civic Engagement Table
New York Immigration Coalitionimage

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NYIC and NYS Dept of State Office of New Americans Present: Immigration Law Training in Buffalo

The New York Immigration Coalition in collaboration with The New York State Department of State Office for New Americans Presents Two-Day Immigration Law Training Schedule Free for all ONA groups and non-attorney staff of non-profit agencies.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 & Wednesday, September 3, 2014
All trainings will be held at the Catholic Charities Immigration & Refugee Assistance Program 20 Herkimer Street, Buffalo, NY 14213

Tuesday September 2, 2014

8:30AM – 10:20 AM:  How to Obtain BIA Recognition for Your Agency and Become an Accredited Representative (No CLE)
Instructor: TBA
In this training, we will cover in detail the requirements for obtaining Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Recognition for your non-profit agency so that it may provide immigration legal services through Accredited Representatives. We also will cover the requirements for obtaining accreditation for individual non-attorney employees of recognized agencies.

10:30AM – 12:30PM Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – Initial and Renewal Applications (2 CLE*)
Instructor: Karen Andolina Scott, Esq., Managing Attorney of Journey’s End Refugee Services
This training will cover the basic eligibility requirements for initial and renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as well as walk through filling out the Form I-821D, Form I-765, and Form I-765WS.  The training will also discuss the potential documentation to include with a request packet.

01:30PM – 05:30PM Hot Topics in Immigration Law (4 CLE*)
Instructor: Jamie Maddalena of Fiegel Maddalena Law. 
This training provides an overview of basic concepts in immigration law, including immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, adjustment of status, consular processing, and citizenship.  It will also address current trends in interpretation and processing of the most common types of applications. No prior knowledge of immigration law is required.

Wednesday September 3, 2014

08:30AM – 10:20AM: Naturalization and Citizenship (2 CLE*)
Instructor: TBA
This training will cover basic topics relating to naturalization and citizenship. Topics will include acquisition and derivation of citizenship, eligibility for naturalization, impediments and bars to naturalization, practice and procedure authorization and practical issues when dealing with foster-care caseworkers, Administration for Children’s Services, and family-court law guardians.

10:30AM – 12:30PM Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity (2 CLE*)
Instructor: Sophie Feal, Supervising Immigration Attorney of Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.
This training will review the various immigration law issues faced by non-citizens who have been convicted or accused of criminal conduct. The training will cover the criminal bars and waivers for noncitizens seeking lawful permanent residence or other lawful status, criminal grounds of removal and waivers applicable to lawful permanent residents, and good moral character bars and deportation risks for lawful permanent residents with criminal records who are pursuing naturalization. It will also touch on detention issues and intake strategies.

03:30PM – 05:30PM USCIS Field Office Visit (No CLE)

To register, click here.

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