San Francisco, Sept. 13, 2013 - On Sept. 12, over sixty women came out to see an all-female panel of legal luminaries including Therese Stewart, chief deputy attorney at the San Francisco City Attorneys Office, in BALIF's first ever LGBT Ladies Salon. The event was hosted and co-sponsored by Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg LLP.

 

The participants focused their discussion on decisions that arose from this year's Supreme Court term. Stewart related her personal experiences litigating on behalf of San Francisco in the fight for marriage equality starting from San Francisco's issuing of marriage licenses in 2004 to the Supreme Court's June decision in Hollingsworth v. Perry upholding the invalidation of Proposition 8.

 

Other featured speakers included Theodora Lee, attorney and shareholder at Littler Mendelson; Ilona Turner, legal director of the Transgender Law Center; and Pamela Fulmer, partner at Novak Druce and early contributor to the marriage equality litigation. Leah Nutting, programs committee chair at BALIF, moderated. In addition to Perry, the participants discussed the impact of decisions related to the Defense of Marriage Act and employment law.

 

The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) LGBT Equality Committee served as the other co-sponsor of the inaugural event. 

 

 

 

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

Thursday, September 26, 5:30-7:00pm

• • Presented by Kelly McCown, Esq., McCown & Evans LLP

Overview: Topics will include: immigration options for same-sex, bi-national couples after DOMA; requirements for fiancé visas or marriage-based green cards; and differences between applying for a green card in the U.S. vs. abroad.

 

Wills & Trusts for LGBTQ Couples after DOMA

Tuesday, October 1, 5:30-7:00pm

• • Presented by Deb Kinney, Esq., Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP

Overview: This presentation will discuss the ramifications of the Windsor and Perry decisions by the US Supreme Court in June.  Although same-sex couples have greater rights now, not all rights transfer and not all federal agencies have set clear policy yet. We will review how benefits will be affected, options for couples considering marriage, and how to draft trusts. Are one, two, or three trusts necessary? Do children need added protections? Bring your questions for an interactive seminar.

 

Using State and Federal Law to Protect Debtors from Collections Harassment

Wednesday, October 2, 5:30-7:00pm

• • Presented by Noah Zinner, Esq., Housing and Economic Rights Advocates

Overview: This training will review debtor rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and its state analog, the Rosenthal Act. We will discuss tools and strategies for keeping clients from being harassed by creditors. We will also discuss in particular the new California legislation (effective January 1, 2014) and its expansion of consumer rights in relation to third-party "debt buyers."

 

Identity Theft and Undocumented Immigrants

Tuesday, October 22, 5:30-7:00pm

• Presented by Sean Perdomo, Esq.,Law Office of Sean Perdomo

Overview: Undocumented immigrants with work histories face many obstacles relating to their admissibility to the U.S. when applying for immigration benefits. This course will advise participants on the current state of the law relating to identity theft and its application to undocumented immigrants applying for immigration benefits.

                 

Applied Mindfulness for Attorneys: Substance Abuse Awareness

Thursday, November 7, 5:30-7:00pm

• • Presented by Kim Nicol, Esq., Attorney at Law

Overview: This class provides an introduction to the science of mindfulness, including how meditation can reduce the physiological symptoms of stress. We'll examine the relationship of stress to substance abuse, and discuss ways to use mindfulness as a stress-management strategy. This class includes a brief, 5-minute meditation, but is focused on understanding the science of meditation and mindfulness, and its practical application to your own life.

 

Navigating IRS Collection Procedures: From Assessment to Resolution

Thursday, November 14, 5:30-7:00pm

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

Overview: This panel presentation will focus on IRS collection procedures and how to properly handle various types of notices and collection efforts. We will provide practical tips on how to effectively and efficiently navigate the IRS system, as well as explore options to resolve issues with the IRS, including penalty abatement and lien removal. We will also discuss new developments in the wake of the demise of DOMA and will touch upon discharge of taxes in bankruptcy.

 

Making the Most of Mediation in Family Law

Tuesday, November 19, 5:30-7:00pm

• • Presented by Joann Babiak, Esq., Babiak Law Offices

Overview: This presentation provides basic information about mediation relating to family law matters.  Participants will explore some of the underlying principles of facilitative, transformational, and evaluative mediation and gain perspective on these different approaches to mediated dispute resolution. Participants will engage in interactive exercises to deepen understanding of certain mediation techniques and develop new insights regarding the importance of preparing clients for family law mediation sessions.

 

Negotiation on Behalf of Tenants in SF

Wednesday, December 4, 5:30-7:30pm

• • Presented by Deepa Varma, Esq., Eviction Defense Collaborative

Overview: This training will cover:

Negotiation generally: how to work with the skills you have, and compensate for the skills you lack;

Negotiation in housing court: what is a good deal? What the best I can get?

Client communication: how to do work with clients who are not on the same page as me;

Working with mediators: leveraging a system stacked against us.

 

To RSVP

Email: mcle@alrp.org or

Call: 415-701-1200 ext. 303

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

 

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

 

The AIDS Legal Referral Panel is a proud beneficiary of the 2013 Folsom Street Fair on Sunday, September 29, 2013. We need more volunteers than ever at San Francisco's most popular leather/fetish fair. By volunteering, you ensure that ALRP can continue providing low-cost legal services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

Volunteer shifts and more information is on our website at:

www.alrp.org/events/folsom-street-fair-volunteers-needed

 

To sign up, please contact ALRP Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Schuster at jennifer@alrp.org or (415) 701-1200 ext. 303. Thank you!

This year marks APABA-SV's twenty-eighth anniversary! As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, APABA-SV will be holding its annual Scholarship and Commitment to Diversity Awards Banquet on Friday, October 4th at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay, located at 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, CA. We will be recognizing the recipients of our Corporate and Law Firm Diversity Awards, as well as our scholarship recipients who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the Asian Pacific American community. 

This year's keynote speaker will be Justice Sabrina Shizue McKenna from the Supreme Court of Hawaii. 

Where: Hotel Sofitel, 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, CA 94065 (map) 

When: Friday, October 4th, 2013 
Cocktails: 6 PM 
Dinner: 7 PM 


Questions? Email us at: apabasv.diversity@gmail.com 

Banquet proceeds will help fund scholarships and internships of the APABA-SV Charity, as well as the general operations of APABA-SV. 

Taylor Cashwell

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to BALIF member and 3L at Hastings, Taylor Cashwell, who accepted an offer to return to Fenwick & West LLP, as a corporate associate, next fall.

 

 

 

Richard Gilbert

 

 

 

Richard Gilbert,  having practiced ERISA law for 39 years -- most recently at Orrick (1981 - 2010) and Trucker Huss (2010 - 2013) -- retired from the practice of law on August 30.

 

 

The API Legal Outreach family cordially invites you to join us as we celebrate our 38th Anniversary on Friday October 18, 2013, at the Saint Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA. For 38 years, we have worked against long-standing barriers to equal justice by providing linguistically and culturally appropriate legal and social services. Our annual dinner is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the services we provide and communities we serve. More than 400 guests will attend! Meet our staff, law clerks, volunteers, Board of Directors, donors and sponsors while having a wonderful time. 

 

Purchase tickets today here! 

 

Please consider making a donation if you are unable to attend. Your generous support will allow us to continue to provide critical services to the marginalized community members.

The Hastings Women's Law Journal (HWLJ) will be commemorating its 25th Anniversary with a symposium on October 18, 2013 entitled "Onward and Upward: Breaking Past Gender Barriers in Law and Tech." This year we will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary by inviting women in leadership roles to discuss the opportunities and obstacles they have faced in the work place. While women have come far in the last twenty-five years in terms of achieving equality in position, opportunities, and pay, we still have further to go. Our purpose in selecting speakers and panelists is to provide a comprehensive overview of the different types of work places women encounter in the Bay Area, including law firms, non-profits, start-ups, and politics. We also would like to address how the next generations of women have legal protections against inequality in the workplace.

Our discussion is framed by an overview of the four patterns of gender bias. Gender bias presents itself in four distinct patterns, as described by the Director for Worklife Law, Joan Williams: women have to work twice as hard to get half as far; women must choose between being liked and being respected; mothers are assumed incompetent and uncommitted; gender bias turns women on each other. Panel 1 will cover women's experiences in the law. Our speakers have been in a variety of working environments including non-profits, the judiciary, academia, and private practice. Panel 2 will reflect on women's experiences in the tech world, featuring women entrepreneurs, investors, and IP attorneys. Lastly, Panel 3 will cover policy developments in the Bay Area and resources for women leaders. Our speakers are executive directors, founders, and coaches. 

Amanda Hamilton, BALIF member and HWLJ Executive Symposium Director, (415) 797-7090, hamiltam@uchastings.edu

Dustin Helmer and Midori Hirai, BALIF Student Representatives

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 jmccall@cornerlaw.com or 415-974-6028.

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

 

 

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 technology@balif.org or balif@balif.org.

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 membership@balif.org.

 

Can't wait to hear your great news!

 

Lauri Bertolacci

BALIF Membership Chair

 

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.

October 26- Beautification of Glen Park Elementary 

In This Issue

On Lu & Jamie Dupree