Weekly Newsletter        |          August 20, 2013
Message from the BALIF Board

Greetings! 
 

 

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, since this week is going to be BUSY.

 

Lavender Law 2013: Celebrating 25 Years, is happening this week at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. From the career fair to the featured speakers to the more than 50 workshops to the Gala Dinner, this year's Lav Law will be nothing less than phenomenal! More information can be found here. Of particular note is our Lavender Law welcome reception, co-hosted with Seyfarth Shaw LLP, this coming Thursday (August 22, 2013) at 111 Minna Gallery at 8:00 p.m. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Come join us!

 

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not promote the BALIF "Connections" Mentorship Program. More information can be found below. If you're interested in either becoming a mentor or are seeking mentorship, or just want more information, please email me at [email protected].

 

Have a good week and see you at Lav Law!

 

 

Mario Choi

BALIF Young Lawyers& Law Student Programs Committee Chair

 

  

BALIF / Seyfarth 2013 Lavender Law Conference Reception

 

 

BALIF and Seyfarth Shaw would like to invite you to a reception to celebrate the 2013 Lavender Law Conference.

 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

 

111 Minna Gallery

111 Minna Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Marriage After DOMA: Why You Should Walk (Not Run) to Tie the Knot

 

Hosted by:

The Beck Law Group, P.C.

McCown & Evans LLP

Our Family Coalition

Gay Asian Pacific Alliance

Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community

API Equality

Out4Immigration

 

Please join us as we discuss tax, immigration, social security, property co-ownership and other legal implications of same-sex marriage and the possible repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

 

Topics will include:

  • Immigration options for same sex binational couples after DOMA
  • Requirements for fianc� visas or marriage-based green cards
  • Differences between applying for a green card in the U.S. vs. abroad
  • Federal Income Tax implications after DOMA
  • Social Security benefits implications after DOMA

 

Speakers:

Alma Soongi Beck, J.D., LL.M. Taxation

The Beck Law Group, P.C.

 

Kelly McCown, Esq. and Jeptha Evans, Esq., Partners/Co-Founders of McCown & Evans LLP

 

San Francisco:

Thursday, August 22, 2013 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

San Francisco Public Library

Koret Auditorium

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

 

Space is limited. To RSVP, please contact Andrea from McCown & Evans LLP at [email protected] or (415) 834-9123. For additional information, please see www.mccownevans.com or www.becklawgroup.com.

 

COST: Seminars are free of charge. These are informational seminars. There is no cost or obligation.

Now What?

 

When: Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm 

 

Where: Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., San Francisco, CA 

 

The Supreme Court has opened the door for same sex marriage in California.  Now that the door is open, what are the implications of walking through it with your beloved?  How do we decide if we should get married?  Please join Rabbi Camille Shira Angel, and BALIF member attorneys Ora Prochovnick, Deb Kinney and Charlie Spiegel for a panel discussion focused on the spiritual as well as legal, financial, social implications of our post-Prop 8 post-DOMA world. 

 

This event is FREE.

The Jewish Community Relations 
Council (JCRC) Invites you to: 
A Town hall Meeting

 

Taking Action to Support Russia 's LGBT Community

 

WHEN: Wednesday, August 28, 2013, 6:00PM

WHERE: The San Francisco LGBT Community Center, The 

Ceremonial Room, 1800 Market St San Francisco, CA

 

As laws targeting the Russian LGBT community become increasingly oppressive and anti-LGBT vigilantes are given free rein to commit heinous attacks against LGBT people, we cannot stand idly by.

 

We turn to you today because you are no stranger to this adage, and your work toward effecting social change is testimony to your commitment to equality for all. The JCRC shares this commitment and is your ally. We have a long history of activism in support of civil liberties and freedom, from fighting for twenty years to change Russian policies and free oppressed Soviet Jews to championing same-sex civil marriage in the United States today.

 

Join us and hear about JCRC's Executive Director Doug Kahn's and former Bay Area Council for Soviet Jews Executive Director David Waksberg's experiences in challenging oppressive Russian policies through direct action in San Francisco . We stood at the gates of the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, demanding freedom for Soviet Jewry for twenty years, and now we stand as allies to the LGBT community in the Bay Area and worldwide. Join us in action.

 

We look forward to your attendance and best ideas.

Please RSVP to: 

Joe Goldman, [email protected] or 415-977-7418

Join BALIF's California Conference of
Bar Associations Committee!


Do you want to help shape California's laws? Join BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee.  Each year, BALIF sends a delegation to the California Conference of Bar Associations, a group of attorneys from local, specialty, and minority bar associations across the state that are focused on improving California's laws. BALIF's CCBA Committee reviews and determines BALIF's position on resolutions that are debated at the Conference.  This year, the Conference will be in San Jose from October 11-13, 2013.

BALIF's representation and participation at the Conference are crucial to ensure visibility of the LGBT legal community at the statewide level and to bring LGBT issues before the Conference. Last year, BALIF sponsored resolutions to ensure that transgender people in jails and prisons receive appropriate medical treatment.

If you want to weigh in on this year's proposed resolutions and/or join BALIF's delegation to the Conference, please email Julie Wilensky at [email protected] by August 23, 2013.
BALIF / APABA-SV ScholarshipScholarship

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley ("APABA-SV") Charity Foundation and Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom ("BALIF") are pleased to announce a special scholarship for law students who have a demonstrated commitment to the Asian Pacifica American community and the LGBT community.

 

Purpose

To recognize law students in the greater Bay Area who have:

  • Overcome personal hardships or challenges;
  • Shown excellence and achievement in law school; or
  • Demonstrated leadership and service to the Asian Pacific American and LGBT community.

Awards

 

One scholarship of $1,500.

 



Deadline

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., September 6, 2013.

 

Submission

 

Please submit applications to [email protected]. Please also feel free to contact us with questions.

 


2013- 2014 BALIF 
"Connections" Mentorship Program

It's that time of year again! BALIF's "Connections" Mentorship Program is looking for mentees seeking to gain valuable insight into the profession, and mentors who want to provide guidance and experience to the "younger" crowd. Both mentors and mentees must be able to commit to constant communication, and must be able to meet at least a few times during the course of the mentorship year (September-May).

 

Mentors should be more senior, experienced attorneys or judges in their field(s) of practice. Mentees can be law students, attorneys just beginning their careers, or even more senior attorneys looking to expand their horizons or to move into a different legal focus.

 

Applications are available for the program. Please email [email protected], and in the subject line note either "Mentor" (if you are seeking to be a mentor) or "Mentee" (if you are looking to be mentored). If you have any questions, please email the Chair of the Young Lawyers and Law Students Programs Committee Chair at [email protected].

ALRP Preliminary List of Free 
Fall 2013 MCLE Trainings
ALRP
 

 

Dates TBA

 

Bar Association of San Francisco

301 Battery Street, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111, Board Room

5:30pm-7:00pm

1.5 General CLE Credits

 

Immigration Options for Bi-national Couples after DOMA

Kelly McCown, Esq., McCown & Evans LLP

 

Fair Debt Collections Practices Act

Noah Zinner, Esq., Housing & Economic Rights Advocates

 

Applied Mindfulness for Lawyers: Strategies for Managing Stress

Kim Nicol, Esq., Attorney at Law

Substance Abuse Credit

 

Wills & Trusts for LGBTQ Couples after DOMA

Deb Kinney, Esq., Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica, LLP

 

Family Law & Mediation

Joann Babiak, Esq., Babiak Law Offices

 

New Developments in Tax Law

Adria Price, Esq., Price & Associates LLP and Aubrey Hone, Esq. Hone Maxwell LLP

 

Unlawful Detainer Negotiation

Deepa Varma, Esq., Eviction Defense Collaborative

 

LGBT Elder Abuse: Nursing Homes and Assisted Living/Residential Care Facilities

Helene Wenzel, Esq., Law Office of Helene V. Wenzel

 


Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2014 Barristers Club Board of Directors

The Barristers Club Board of Directors is accepting applications for 2014. Directors determine the club's mission and set policy and procedures to fulfill the club's mission.

 

Directors supervise and facilitate Barristers Club activities by serving as liaisons to Barristers Sections and Committees, and participating on ad hoc committees in connection with major events (e.g., the Judges Reception). Directors represent the Barristers to the legal community and the public.

 

Candidates must be BASF members who were admitted to the bar on January 1, 2004 or later. The Barristers Club and its board encourage diverse eligible members of BASF to apply for the Barristers board.

 

To be considered for a nomination, you must submit a personal statement no later than September 3, 2013.

The statement should include your education and legal background, area of practice, your involvement with the Barristers Club, other bar associations, or community service organizations. We encourage you to include any other information that you believe will assist the committee in making an informed decision. Your statement should not exceed 350 words and should not include the names of endorsers. In addition, you may include your resume, if you like.

 

Submit your statement by email to [email protected].

KABANC 2013 Dinner Gala

 

Korean American Bar Association of Northern California

2013 Dinner Gala

 

Honorees:

Salle Yoo

General Counsel at Uber Technologies, Inc.

KABANC's 2013 Legal Professional of the Year

 

Ken Lee, Tom Surh & Grant Kim

Original Founders of KABANC

KABANC's Special 30-Year Gala Recognition

 

Date: Friday, September 6, 2013

Reception:   6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Dinner and Program: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

 

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel

2050 University Avenue

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

 

For tickets, tables, and sponsorship pricing and reservations, please contact Fred Choi: [email protected]

For dinner information, please contact Jang Im: [email protected]


ABA Diversity Committee Luncheon

American Bar Association, Section of Taxation

Fall Meeting, September 19-21, 2013, Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, CA

Register at: http://meetings.abanet.org/meeting/tax/fall13/ 

 

Diversity Committee Luncheon and Panel

12:00-1:30

Friday, September 20, 2013

 

Tax Implications for Same-Sex Couples After DOMA.  Where Does the Code Go From Here?

 

On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court in Windsor v. United States invalidated Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  What will be the implications of the Court's decision on the application of Federal tax laws to same-sex couples?  Panelists will discuss the tax planning challenges faced by same-sex couples and other Federal and state laws, such as estate and gift tax complications, taxation of Social Security benefits and employer-provided health coverage, the availability of certain deductions and exemptions, and the possibility of filing amended returns.  The panelists will share their insights on the Supreme Court's rulings in Windsor and in Hollingsworth v. Perry.  The panel will also share ideas on necessary IRS guidance in light of these decisions.

 

Moderator:  Laura R. Westfall, King & Spalding , New York , NY.

Panelists:  Professor Patricia A. Cain, Santa Clara Law, Santa Clara, CA; Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights, San Francisco, CA; Eric A. San Juan, Senior Attorney-Advisor to the National Taxpayer Advocate, Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, Washington, DC (invited); Shawn Newman, Law Office of Shawn C. Newman, P.A., Wilton Manors, FL; Stephen B. Tackney, Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, Employee Benefits, Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel, TE/GE, IRS, Washington, DC (invited).


WLAC Annual Judges' 
Dinner & Silent Action
Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Featured Panelists
Hon. Tara Desautels - Alameda County Superior Court Judge 
Nancy O'Malley - Alameda County District Attorney
Aundrea Brown - Alameda County Assistant Public Defender
Laura Stein - Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Clorox

The Faculty Club at U.C. Berkeley
6:00 pm Reception and Silent Auction
7:15 pm Dinner and Panel Discussion
San Francisco Office for Rent
Available now! Lovely 11 ft x 13 ft (143 sq. ft.) window office in Class A building. Large office can accommodate one or two people comfortably. Furniture available or you can bring your own. Other professionals in suite are lawyers and commercial real estate brokers.

Features:
- Newly remodeled 30th floor of prime location on Market between 1st and 2nd
- Suite views from Tiburon to the Bay Bridge to China Basin to Twin Peaks
- Office views of skyline and Twin Peaks, amazing sunset views
- Light filled
- 24 hour security/doorman in lobby
- 24 hour access to the office
- Shared conference room
- Kitchen with complimentary coffee, tea, water and soda
- Shared copier/fax/printer 
- Nortel phone system
- Internet -- wireless and LAN
- Shared reception/administrative services 

$1,800/month

Please reply to Jill McCall at [email protected] or 415-974-6028.

Castro Offices for Rent

2 or 3 offices available in prime Victorian in Castro. Share flat with estate planner/generalist and building with other attorneys. We are congenial, collegial, experienced and respectful.

 

Rents: $1,100 for smallest office; $1,200 for med office and $1,400 for front parlor office (fireplace, etc.). Included in rent: shared reception/paralegal office and conference room, and small kitchen space. Not included in rent: utilities, and cleaning. Floor is well-wired for internet for easy plug and play.

 

Contact: Michael @ 415-861-9900

 

Announcing Reed Smith's 
2013 Diverse Scholars Program
The National LGBT Bar Association is pleased to present Reed Smith's 2013 Diverse Scholars Program. Reed Smith has a strong commitment to diversity, which has resulted in a firm in which diversity and inclusion permeate the culture. Rewarding young future leaders for their efforts in the area of diversity and introducing them to the Reed Smith culture are two important goals of this program.

Click here for more details.
BASF's Mind the Gap Program: 
Mentors Needed!

This new exciting initiative called "Mind the Gap" (MTG) is to provide recent law school graduates and young attorneys who are unemployed or underemployed with training, work experience, mentorship connections and debt reduction information. BASF is looking for attorneys to serve as mentors to MTG participants. A mentorship Listserv consisting of MTG participants and interested mentors will be created where mentees can post questions and mentors can respond with answers and general advice. 

 

If you are interested in becoming an MTG mentor, please email [email protected]

 

For more information, please visit www.sfbar.org/mind-the-gap.

Join the BALIF Listserv!

 

Have a job or need one? Civil procedure question? Need a

referral? Have something important to ask ... or news to tell? Want to get to our members quickly? Join our Listserv!

 

BALIF members should have received our invitation to join our newly-created Listserv. You must proactively respond to the request in order to be added to our Listserv. If you didn't get a request, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

We Want Your BALIFBuzz

We all love that section in our alumni newsletters that talks about who's doing what.

 

Well, we're introducing the BALIFBuzz to show-off all the great things that our members are doing.  BALIFBuzz will be appearing in the weekly BALIF newsletter.   

 

New job?

New client?

Promotion?

Court victory?

Significant settlement?

Baby on the way?

Recently married or engaged?

Speaking engagement?

Award, recognition, certification, or degree?  

Or anything else you're excited about...

 

Keep it to one or two lines.  Please send to [email protected].

 

Can't wait to hear your great news!

 

Lauri Bertolacci

BALIF Membership Chair

 

Job Postings Now on BALIF Website

All job postings can be found here!  

 

BALIF membership must be current to view the job postings. Simply log into the BALIF website with your membership ID and password, and select the JOBS from the menu on the left.

Upcoming Events

August 22-  BALIF / Seyfarth 2013 Lavender Law Conference Reception 
 
September 5- Mentorship Program Happy Hour
 
September 6- BALIF / APABA-SV Scholarship Application Deadline
 
September 12- BALIF / BASF LGBT Women's Networking Event
In This Issue
BALIF Board of Directors
On Lu & Jamie Dupree  
  
John Robert Unruh
Treasurer  

  

Elizabeth Pritzker & Andrew Vu  
Judiciary Co-Chairs

John Robert Unruh & 
Lilah Sutphen
Gala Co-Chairs  

Laurie Bertolacci  
 

Nick Kacprowski
Amicus Chair   

 


Leah Nutting  

Peter Catalanotti
Outreach Chair


Jessica Bogo
Social Action Chair 


Nick Clements  
Dustin Helmer & Midori Hirai

  

Katie Carlson
BALIF Administrator 
Our 2013 Sponsors
Partner Level

A&P
Fenwick
HB Logo

Kilpatrick
Mofo
Sedgwick2
Seyfarth
ub
Wilson


Advocate Level

 

A.L. Nella & Company, CPAs

Bingham McCutcheon LLP

Cooley LLP

Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Huron Legal

Jones Day

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Latham & Watkins LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Nixon Peabody LLP

O'Melveny & Meyers LLP

Orrick

Perkins Cole LLP

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Santa Clara University School of Law

Sheppard Mullin
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

 

Benefactor Level

 

AT&T Legal Department

Clarence, Dyer & Cohen LLP / Swanson & McNamara LLP

Futterman Dupree Dodd Croley Maier LLP

Gibson Dunn

Jackson Lewis LLP

JAMS

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Littler Mendelson 

Mount, Spelman & Fingerman

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP

Neilson & MacRitchie Investigators

Office of the California Attorney General

Jennifer & Meredith Orthwein 

Paul Hastings

Pritzker Law

Reed Smith LLP

Robert Half Legal

Roeca Hass Hager LLP

Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld

San Francisco City Attorney's Office

San Francisco District Attorney's Office

Schiff Hardin LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Special Counsel

Stein & Lubin LLP

Turner Boyd

University of San Francsico School of Law

Wald & Thorndal P.C.

Wells Fargo

 

Individual Sponsors

 

Peter C. Catalanotti, Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP

Michael Colantuono, Colantuono & Levin, P.C.

Todd Norris, Bullivant Houser Bailey

Debra R. Schoenberg, Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.

Cheryl Sena, Sena Family Law

Jonathan Shapiro, Wilmer Hale

Hon. James L. Warren (Ret.), JAMS


Follow BALIF

youtube
 
BALIF | | [email protected] | http://www.balif.org
1800 Market St.
Box 47
San Francisco, CA 94102

BALIF|  balif.org


Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.