Volunteer for the NYLAG Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) Program

The Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) program is an innovative court program, which provides limited-scope, day-only representation to unrepresented litigants in consumer debt cases. 

This is an ideal opportunity for a law student, recent law graduate or admitted attorney to gain litigation skills with the close guidance of an on-site supervising attorney. Volunteers have the unparalleled opportunity to represent clients in court, negotiate with opposing counsel, and argue motions before a judge. 

Currently, there are thousands of debt collection cases in New York City every year.  About 98% of defendants in these cases appear unrepresented. This often leads to intimidation through the legal system and abuses in the collections process. Volunteers provide critical assistance to individuals who otherwise may be unable to defend themselves.

The Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for a Day program (VLFD) seeks several volunteers to represent clients on-site in the Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island Civil Courts. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will: 

  • Be a current law student, a recent law graduate (who took the first available bar exam post law school), or an admitted New York attorney 
  • Be able to communicate effectively 
  • Have strong attention to detail
  • Have a positive attitude 
  • Have strong desire to be involved in litigation and client advocacy
  • Have a professional demeanor, even under pressure
  • Be punctual
  • Be able to handle a fast-paced environment
  • Be able to take direction and feedback constructively
  • Be able to adapt to a changing court environment and handle unexpected situations

More about NYLAG: The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers.  NYLAG clients include immigrants, seniors, the homebound, families facing foreclosure, renters facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, children in need of special education, domestic violence survivors, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness or disease, low-wage workers, low-income members of the LGBT community, Holocaust survivors, and others in need.

To Apply: E-mail resume and cover letter indicating your interest in consumer credit issues, social justice, and/or civil litigation to [email protected] with “Consumer VLFD” in the subject line.

Call for Volunteer Attorneys: Church World Service’s Citizenship Event on November 15, 2014

Church World Service, a new member of the New Americans Campaign, a national network of legal service organizations providing FREE citizenship services to lawful permanent residents in major cities throughout the U.S., including New York, has reached out to AABANY to seek out volunteer attorneys. As part of this collaborative, Church World Service is hosting a mega citizenship workshop on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities Center, which is located at 107-20 Northern Blvd, Corona, NY 11368.
The goal is to assist 200 lawful permanent residents apply for citizenship during the workshop. 
To learn answer this call for volunteers, please see this cover letter and volunteer form: http://bit.ly/cws1115. If you have any questions about this event, feel free to contact Lucy Baez at (212) 870-2497.

Call for Volunteers: NAPABA Convention 2014

Supporting Overseas Military Personnel at a

Service Project to Pack 300 Food Boxes for Military Men and Women Based Overseas

NAPABA 2014 Convention with Packages from Home (Phoenix-based, 501©(3)-DoD approved, non-profit)

Goal:
300 boxes packed, Volunteers: 3 to 5 boxes each (suggested)

Raffle:
One raffle ticket per box packed (drawing at end of project period)

Date:
Sunday, November 9, 2014

Time:
9:00am to 11:00am

Place:
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Rainmakers Ballroom (lower level, next to courtyard)
6902 E Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale (480-624-1000)

Parking:
Self-park, no-fee (parking area in front of Resort)

Attire:
Comfortable casual

~
Please R.S.V.P. to Barry Wong at [email protected]

Judges Needed for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, NAPABA Convention 2014

JUDGES NEEDED
We need members of the bench and bar to serve as oral argument judges for the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds of the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition*, on Friday November 7th during the NAPABA Convention.  The preliminary rounds are from 9:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and the quarterfinal round is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  at the convention hotel, Westin Kierland Resort.  You can judge one or both rounds.  
 
If you can serve as a judge,  please sign up online (http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/tzsao) or contact, Hemanth Digumarthi, [email protected].
 
Time                    (1) Two Preliminary Rounds, Friday, November 7, 2014.   The preliminary rounds are from9:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and the quarterfinal round is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Material Provided:       Volunteer judges will be provided a bench brief that includes legal analysis of the issues and suggested questions to ask the student competitors.
Sign-Up Link:      If you can serve as a judge, sign up online (http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/tzsao)
Legal Issues:
This year’s problem poses the following questions:
I.            Whether appropriate evidentiary standards were applied in finding Petitioner ineligible for cancellation of removal under the Immigration and National Act.
          A.    Whether evidence beyond the record of conviction may be considered in determining removability under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(2)(A)(ii) for crimes involving moral turpitude.
        B.     Whether an inconclusive record of conviction is sufficient to meet a noncitizen’s burden of proving eligibility for cancellation of removal under 8 U.S.C. §1229b(b)(1).
II. Whether a conviction for using a false social security number with intent to deceive, but for otherwise lawful purposes, constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
  • Whether the holding of Jordan v. De George, 341 U.S. 223 (1951), declining to find the phrase “crimes involving moral turpitude” void for vagueness when applied to fraud, extends to conduct involving intent to deceive.
        B.    Whether a violation of 42 U.S.C. §408(a)(7)(B) for use of another person’s social security number constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude under 8 U.S.C. §1227(a)(2)(A)(ii).
 
Point of Contact:
Hemanth Digumarthi
Phone: 404-788-6398 (cell)
—————————————
 
*The Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition is an appellate advocacy competition sponsored annually by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Law Foundation (NAPABA Law Foundation), an IRC § 501©(3) non-profit, charitable and educational affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The NAPABA Law Foundation works closely with the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (NAPALSA) and its local affiliates at law schools across the country. The purpose of this Competition is to develop advocacy skills without regard to the merit of the petitioner’s or respondent’s cases. 
 
The Competition was founded in 1993 and is named in honor of the late Honorable Thomas Tang, a respected jurist who was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1977. Judge Tang’s decisions during his more than eighteen years on the Ninth Circuit reflected his strong commitment to civil rights for all people. Judge Tang was known for his kindness and warmth, and the leadership role he played in the Asian Pacific American legal community. Prior to his passing in 1995, Judge Tang provided tremendous support to NAPABA and its activities, including the creation of this national moot court competition. 

NYC Family Justice Center – Fall 2014 Core Training Program

The NYC Family Justice Center in Manhattan is happy to announce their next round of core trainings. The core training program provides professional development on the most relevant topics for service providers working with victims and survivors of intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and elder abuse. More training content details will follow in several weeks. All trainings are held at the MFJC: 80 Centre St., 5th floor.

REGISTER NOW! 

Monday, November 3rd 2-5 pm
Domestic Violence Dialogue: Focus on Poverty & Racism
Facilitated by Black Women’s Blueprint

Thursday, November 6th 10 am-1 pm
Immigration Law: Options and Remedies for Survivors
Facilitated by Sanctuary for Families

Friday, November 7th 2-5 pm
Safety Assessment and Planning
Facilitated by STEPS to End Family Violence

Monday, November 10th 1:30-3:30 pm
Family Planning, Clinical & Educational Services
Facilitated by Planned Parenthood of NYC *special one-time training

Wednesday, November 12th 10 am-1 pm
Elder Abuse: Focus on the Asian Community
Facilitated by Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, NY Asian Women’s Center, Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse, JASA  
 
Wednesday, November 12th 2-5 pm
Culture Conversations: Focus on Faith-Based Communities and DV
Facilitated by CONNECT, Turning Point, Met Council

Thursday, November 13th 10 am-1 pm
Criminal Justice in Manhattan
Facilitated by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Thursday, November 13th 2-4 pm
Human Trafficking
Facilitated by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

Friday, November 14th 10 am-1pm
Self-Sufficiency & Economic Empowerment
Facilitated by MFJC staff

Wednesday, November 19th 2-5 pm
Housing Options for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Facilitated by New Destiny Housing
 
Date TBD
Family & Matrimonial Law
Facilitated by NY Legal Assistance Group
 
For any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Flatto, Programs & Outreach Director of the Center, at [email protected].

Volunteers Needed in New York: Asian American Election Protection and Poll Monitoring, Defending Asian American Voting Rights

Trainings Sessions are on Tuesday, Oct. 15, Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Tuesday, Oct. 28

10/15/14 – 12 noon – Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

10/16/14 – 12 noon – Weil Gotshal, 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153

10/16/14 – 6 p.m. – Wilson Elser, 150 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017

10/28/14 – 12 noon – Baker Hostetler, 45 Rockefeller Plaza #10, New York, NY 10111

10/28/14 – 6 p.m. – Debevoise & Plimpton, 919 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022

AALDEF seeks volunteers to monitor the November 4th  elections for compliance with the federal Voting rights Act and to document instances of anti-Asian voter disenfranchisement. Our Asian American Election Protection and Poll Monitoring Project will be conducted in Massachusetts, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland,  Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

In past elections, Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers in exercising their right to vote.  For example, poll workers were hostile and made racist remarks, poll sites had too few interpreters to assist Asian American voters, translated voting materials were missing or hidden from voters, and ballots were mistranslated listing Democratic candidates as Republicans, and vice versa. When the news media reported on election results and the vote by specific groups, Asian Americans were often overlooked.

On November 4, 2014, AALDEF, along with other Asian American groups and bar associations, will be monitoring the elections and conducting non-partisan voter surveys at poll sites in Asian American neighborhoods.

We need your help. Advanced registration required. Signup at  http://www.aaldef.net/volunteer_monitor_form.aspx.   

Polling sites in New York are in:

  • NYC – Chinatown
  • Brooklyn – Kensington, Sunset Park
  • Queens – Flushing, Richmond Hill, Midwood, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Floral Park, and Jamaica

Trainings Sessions are on Tuesday, Oct. 15, Wednesday Oct. 16 and Tuesday, Oct. 28 (Light lunch/dinner will be provided)

10/15/14 – 12 noon – Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

10/16/14 – 12 noon – Weil Gotshal, 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10153

10/16/14 – 6 p.m. – Wilson Elser, 150 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017

10/28/14 – 12 noon – Baker Hostetler, 45 Rockefeller Plaza #10, New York, NY 10111

10/28/14 – 6 p.m. – Debevoise & Plimpton, 919 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022

This 90-minute training session is required for all volunteers. (Attorneys can receive 1.5 CLE credits including 0.5 ethics credit.)  All volunteers must be non-partisan and work a 3-hour shift. 

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

********************

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

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

South Asian Bar Association of New York – NY

Suffolk U. Law School, Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service – MA

and Asian Pacific American Law Student Association chapters across the country.

MinKwon Center’s Pro Bono DACA Renewal Clinics

Co-sponsored by the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) and the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)
Help protect undocumented youth from deportation by renewing their DACA status.  Pro bono attorneys and volunteer law students conduct intake, legal screenings for relief eligibility, and help undocumented individuals maintain their employment authorization and “deferred action” status.  No prior experience necessary, training will be provided.  Clinic dates are on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. CLE credits will be provided. 
 

From PALS: Attorney Mentors Needed for Law Grads Taking the Bar Exam

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Attorney Mentors Needed 

Summer BAR Preparation Mentoring Program

PALS would like to match you, a practicing attorney, with a recent law school graduate of color for The PALS Summer BAR Preparation Mentoring Program.  You will simply serve as a supportive resource during this intense study period prior to the exam.

Please join us and commit 1 hour per week, for 8 weeks, to help positively guide a law graduate with time management techniques, work-life balance advice, and best practices for successfully passing the Bar. Be a reassuring advocate to build his or her confidence level while explaining the necessary commitment to this intense uninterrupted study period.  

This year, the New York State Summer BAR Exam is scheduled for TuesdayJuly 29th and Wednesday, July 30th.