Weekly Newsletter        |         February 11, 2014
In This Issue
Message from the BALIF Board

Greetings! 
 

 

What a whirl-it's that wonderful, busy time of year for BALIF! We've had a rush of events in the past few weeks, and I'd like to thank everyone who came out to our first ever BALIF Law Student "Need for Speed" Networking event this past January 30th! We had a great event, and we could not have done it without the participation of our wonderful BALIF community.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Sochi Happy Hour co-sponsored by ALRP and supporting Horizons Foundation, an organization helping LGBT Russian refugees. We hope that you'll all join us at the end of February when, we will be Standing Proud at the 2014 BALIF Gala! We hope to see all of you on Friday, February 28 at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco to honor Judge Vaughn Walker and LYRIC, a local LGBTQQ youth organization. Mark your calendars and purchase your individual tickets to the Gala or sponsor BALIF today!

 

 

Midori Hirai

Law Student Representative

 

Introducing the BALIF 
Exchange Luncheon

 

When: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Where: San Francisco City Club (155 Sansome, 10th Floor)

What: Gourmet buffet lunch to network with other partners and law firm owners.

Cost: $40 payable by cash or check only

 

More Business Development - it's always on each new year's resolution list for partners and law firm owners.  BALIF Co-Chairs On Lu and Jamie Dupree have created the BALIF Partners Exchange to bring together our members that are looking to network and exchange business and ideas.  This event is exclusively for BALIF members who are partners of, or own their law firm. 

 

Since this is our inaugural luncheon, we're keeping it intimate.   We only have room for the first 6 to RSVP to jdupree@fddcm.com

2014 BALIF Sponsors
BALIF's 34th Annual Gala Standing Proud 
February 28, 2014 6:30-11:00

Join BALIF in Standing Proud at our Annual Gala and celebrate the amazing progress our community has made over the past year. BALIF 2014 sponsors get complimentary tickets and many additional benefits.

Contact John Robert Unruh at gala@balif.org or go to the BALIF website at www.balif.org for sponsorship information. Individual tickets are also on sale at www.balif.org.

BALIF thanks this week's incoming 2014 BALIF Sponsors:

Partner Level:
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP

Littler Mendelson, P.C.  

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

 

Advocate Level:

AT&T 

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Santa Clara University School of Law

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

 

Benefactor Level:
FTI Consulting  
Golden Gate University
San Francisco City Attorney's Office
Schiff Hardin LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
   
Individual Sponsor:

Rob Fratto, WilmerHale  

Berkeley Law School's McBaine Moot Court Competition-
Volunteer Attorneys Needed to Judge

Attorney volunteers are needed to serve as judges for Berkeley Law School's McBaine Moot Court Competition. Boalt is looking for judges for the preliminary rounds, Monday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 19. They are encouraging Minority Bar Coalition members to participate to increase the diversity of judges. Dinner for the judges on both nights will start at 5:30 pm at Boalt (at Bancroft and College Ave ), and the competition will start around 6:30 pm. Please contact Anne Gordon at adgordon@law.berkeley.edu if you are interested.

National LGBT Bar Association 
2014 2L Summer Law Clerk Program- 
Deadline Extended!

 

The National LGBT Bar Association is pleased to partner with The Liberty Mutual Insurance Group Legal Department to provide an exciting opportunity for two enthusiastic 2L law students who are interested in making an immediate and valued contribution. As a Law Clerk you will provide technical support to staff litigation attorneys, perform legal research and assist in drafting and filing legal trial documents. The National LGBT Bar Association and Liberty Mutual will select one Law Clerk for Liberty's Boston litigation office and one for its San Francisco litigation office for a 10-week clerkship offering competitive pay. This opportunity is open to students scheduled to graduate in Spring 2015. 

 

Responsibilities

  • Performs legal research utilizing both written and electronic sources
  • Assists attorneys in brief and opinion writing
  • Prepares draft memos
  • Gathers and compiles facts and relevant case information
  • Drafts pleadings and motions
  • Assists attorneys in preparing for depositions and trials

Qualifications

  • Member of the National LGBT Bar Association
  • Completed two years at an ABA accredited law school; graduation scheduled for Spring 2015
  • Excellent writing skills
  • 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent
  • Ideally some exposure to civil litigation

How to Apply

  • To apply, you must submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a copy of your transcript to: libertymutual@lgbtbar.org
  • Please write "Liberty Mutual Law Clerk" in the subject line of the email. 
  • All materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 14, 2014.
  • Interviews will be conducted the week of February 23, 2014.
  • Finalists shall be selected and notified on or before March 3, 2014.
Jack Berman Award of Achievement

Each year, CYLA recognizes a young or new lawyer for distinguished service to the public sector, the judiciary, or the profession with the Jack Berman Award of Achievement.  

 

The California State Bar established this prestigious award in 1992 to recognize the individual achievements of a lawyer who is either in his/her first five years of practice or age 36 and under. The award is named in memory of Jack Berman, a young lawyer who demonstrated outstanding service to the profession and the public, and who was tragically killed in a San Francisco shooting. This annual award honors his dedicated service to issues of concern to the profession, especially its young lawyers.

 

You can read about past Award Recipients and Nominate a fellow attorney using the Program Materials on CYLA's webpage: http://cyla.calbar.ca.gov/CYLA/JackBermanAward.aspx. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Early applications are encouraged! The award recipient will be recognized alongside the President's Pro Bono Service Award recipients at the State Bar Annual Meeting, held September 11-14, 2014 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California.

2014 Supreme Court Appointment to the State Bar Board of Trustees

The California Supreme Court is charged with appointing five members of the State Bar of California's Board of Trustees. Pursuant to Rule 9.90 of the California Rules of Court, the Supreme Court has created the State Bar Trustees Nominating Committee to solicit, receive, screen and evaluate all applications for appointment or reappointment to the State Bar Board of Trustees and to make recommendations to the Supreme Court.

      

The California Supreme Court's State Bar Trustees Nominating Committee is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California. In 2014, two Board of Trustees positions will be filled during this process.

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar is charged with the executive functions of the State Bar.  Public protection is the highest priority of the board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. The board meets approximately eight times a year to consider organizational, policy and professional issues.

 

If you are interested in applying for appointment, please complete the application form and follow the filing instructions.

2014 Schedule of dates and deadlines

  • Feb. 28: Last day to submit application
  • Sept. 11-14: Annual Meeting - San Diego
  • Sept.14: Appointees sworn in at Annual Meeting
For more information, please click here!
ALRP Free Winter 2014 MCLE Trainings

ALRP  

                                 

Uncontested Divorces

  • Thursday, March 20, 5:30-7:00pm
  • Presented by Brent Seymour, Esq., Shapiro Thorne Inc.
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, 301 Battery Street, 3rd Floor, Board Room, San Francisco, CA 94111
  • 1.5 General CLE Credits

To RSVP:

Alex Taylor

Volunteer Coordinator

AIDS Legal Referral Panel

1663 Mission St., Suite 500

San Francisco, CA 94103

415-701-1200 ext. 303

alext@alrp.org

www.alrp.org

 

Legally Asian Pre-Law Conference

On Saturday, February 22, 2014, the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area's Community Services Committee, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, Golden Gate University APALSA, and other bar associations and student groups will be hosting the 5th Annual Legally Asian conference to encourage college and high school students to pursue a law degree. Legally Asian 2014 will be held at Golden Gate University, School of Law, located at 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Registration and breakfast will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, and the program will be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

 

The program is FREE. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. All interested students should register at http://tinyurl.com/LegallyAsian2014. Walk-ins are welcome. If you have any questions, please e-mail legallyasian1@gmail.com

 

2014 Lavender Law Conference & 
Career Fair Student Awards

The National LGBT Bar Association is now accepting submissions for the Student Leadership Award, the Michael Greenberg Writing Competition and the International Association of LGBT Judges Writing Competition

 

Student Leadership Award

The National LGBT Bar Association's Student Leadership Award is the organization's highest honor for law students. The award will recognize a law student who has demonstrated leadership within their school and in the surrounding community, especially in the area of LGBT equality.

 

Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition

Established in memory of Michael Greenberg, a former National LGBT Bar Association board member and Philadelphia attorney who died in 1996 from complications with AIDS, this exciting competition is dedicated to encouraging and recognizing outstanding law student scholarship on the legal issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.

 

International Association of LGBT Judges Student Writing Competition

The International Association of LGBT Judges sponsors a writing competition for all law students attending the 2014 Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair. This is an exciting opportunity for law students who wish to pursue their career as a member of the United States judiciary.

 

Timeline

All three student awards will follow the same final submission date of Friday, May 16, 2014 at 5:00pm ET. Late entries will not be considered. Students are able to enter all competitions, but only if they turn in different works for each submission.

Click here for full competition details. Should you have any questions, please send them to info@LGBTbar.org.

Pride Law Fund
Upcoming Events
Celebrate the 35th Anniversary with Pride Law Fund in 2014.  

To maximize the snowy experience, the first annual Pride Law Fund Gay Ski Day has been rescheduled to March 8, 2014.  Join us for a gay day on the slopes, raising money for LGBT fellowships. Purchase tickets here! 

Additionally, save the date for our third annual Boat Cruise around the Bay on May 31, 2014 and keep an eye out for details about the first annual Pride Law Fund Wine Bus Adventure in Napa in the fall. 

Pride Law Fund is currently accepting applications for Tom Steele Post Graduate Fellowships and Law Students Summer Fellowships.  Applications are due on March 3, 2014 and can be found on our website here

You can donate on our website  at
http://www.pridelawfund.org/donate.php or send checks to Pride Law Fund, P.O. Box 2602, San Francisco, CA 94126-2602)
Transgender Law Center's 
Cooperating Attorney Network

 

Transgender Law Center is in the process of creating a robust cooperating attorney network. They are especially interested in developing a network of attorneys who can assist them with cases - either by sharing their expertise and knowledge or by serving as co-counsel. Transgender Law Center also needs attorneys to whom they can refer some of the 2,500 individuals who contact them each year from across the country. If you haven't yet joined their cooperating attorney network, please do so now at the link below. And please forward this information to your friends and colleagues. Thanks! 

 

http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1628454-1kVsVna0mW

 

The CWL Rose Bird Memorial Award

CWL is now accepting nominations for the ROSE BIRD MEMORIAL AWARD. This annual award is named for one of CWL's founding members and is given to a jurist from Northern California.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 28, 2014.

The candidate should be from the Northern California area and will be evaluated on excellence as a jurist with longstanding or groundbreaking public service and inspiration to women lawyers in California.

The nominations will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and the Board of Governors will announce the recipient of this honor on March 7, 2014. The Award will be presented at the Northern California Judicial Reception to be held in April of 2014. The awardee must be available to attend the reception held in their honor.

The nomination should consist of the following:  
A. Nominee's Resume/Bio- Include the nominee's resume or biography.
B. Nominee's Photo- Include a high resolution photograph of the nominee.
C. Supporting Statement- A letter supporting the nominee  as  a worthy recipient of this honor with a description of the candidate's qualifications for this award.
D. Articles and Letters- To present a comprehensive picture of  the nominee, you may include news/magazine articles written by  or about the candidate and letters of support from individuals or organizations.

The nomination and supporting materials should be sent to co-chairs of the Awards Committee, Jaimi Groothuis at Jaimi@bermanandmore.com and Amee Mikocich at Amee.Mikacich@sedgwicklaw.com.
Lambda Legal 2014-2015 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship

Lambda Legal is pleased to announce its posting for the 2014-2015 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship for African-American LGBT Civil Rights, expanded in 2013 from a summer position to a year-long funded fellowship.  Lambda Legal is a national nonprofit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ("LGBT") people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.  Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas.  The Garner Fellowship is a paid, full-time, year-long legal internship awarded to a recent law graduate to work in any of Lambda Legal's five offices.

 

Please click here for more info!
Follow BALIF on Twitter!

 

BALIF's twitter feed is up and running.  Follow us to see BALIF news, event info, #ThrowbackThursday posts, and more.  Just click the Twitter button at the bottom of the newsletter or here.

 

Uber Discount for BALIF Members
Request a ride with the push of a button! Uber is offering new users $20 off your first ride. Text BALIF to 827-222. You can also sign up at uber.com/go/BALIF and download the app for Android, Blackberry, or iPhone. Then sit back and enjoy the magic of Uber, everyone's private driver. (Valid for new users only, TAXI excluded).
Are you an expert in your field? Get your name in BALIF's new Expert Directory and get quoted!

 

BALIF members are experts in almost every legal specialization from antitrust to family law and we want to leverage our extensive media contacts list to raise the profiles of our experts. When a journalist needs an expert on securities law, prison law, employment law, or whatever your specialization is, she'll call you for that quote. 

 

If you want to be included in the BALIF Expert Directory,

please send a short email with the following to PR@balif.org:

 

Name, title and place of business

 

Fields and/or sub-fields you are an expert in (E.g., Employment and ERISA)

 

No more than 500 words on what makes you an expert: specific work experience, length of experience, published articles or books, and speaking appearances related to your topic.

Please reply only if you can truly be considered an expert in your field; general guidelines are at least 7-10 years of practice and/or additional qualifications that separate you from other attorneys.

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

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 membership@balif.org.

 

Can't wait to hear your great news!

 

Meaghan Zore 

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
February 11- BALIF Exchange Luncheon
February 28 -BALIF Annual Gala
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  
 
Meaghan Zore 

Nick Kacprowski
Amicus Chair   

 

Jennifer Orthwein
Communications Chair 

Leah Nutting  

Peter Catalanotti
Outreach Chair


Jessica Bogo
Social Action Chair 


Nick Clements  
Denise Bergin
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


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