Weekly Newsletter        |         March 4, 2014
In This Issue
Message from the BALIF Board

Greetings! 
 
 

Greetings BALIF-ers!

Thank you for all who attended BALIF's 34th Annual Gala! It was an incredible event with amazing company, food and atmosphere. A big round of applause is in order for BALIF's Gala Chairs Lilah Sutphen and John Unruh and the Gala Committee for putting on yet another outstanding party.

Coming up quickly is BALIF's hugely successful 2nd Annual BALIF Career Expo on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 12:30pm-6pm hosted at Golden Gate University. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for law students, baby lawyers, and attorneys looking for a change of scenery. We will have panel discussions about how to network, what to do if you don't find that dream job, and what kinds of law careers are out there. Then after the panels, we will host our Career Fiar with over 30 employers from all fields of law from big firms, solo practitioners, non-profits and government agencies to share with you what they do and how they can help you find that next job.

If you are an attorney and interested in tabling for this event, please contact Mario Choi at younglawyers@balif.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 
 
Dustin Helmer

BALIF Board Law Student Representative

  

BALIF Files Amicus Brief in Utah & Oklahoma Marriage Equality Cases

 

BALIF filed an amicus curiae brief today with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the right of same-sex couples in Utah and Oklahoma to marry. A three-judge panel from the court will 

hear Kitchen v. Herbert, on appeal from the District of Utah, and Bishop v. Smith, on appeal from the Northern District of Oklahoma, in April. The press release can be found here.

 

"These two cases are particularly important, because without judicial intervention it is unlikely that marriage equality will come to states like Utah or Oklahoma any time soon," said Nickolas Kacprowski, partner at Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco and chair of BALIF's Amicus Committee.

 

The brief argues that because the sole purpose and effect of the Utah and Oklahoma bans on same-sex marriage is to impose inequality on same-sex couples, the bans are unconstitutional in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Windsor. Further, because Windsor opened the door to federal recognition of same-sex marriage, the tangible benefits associated with same-sex marriage and denied to same-sex couples by the bans are substantial.

 

The brief was filed with pro bono support from the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olsen. Jerome C. Roth and Nicole S. Phillis of Munger Tolles led the effort. Another great effort by Munger Tolles and the Amicus Committee!

 

Click here for the Amicus Brief.

BALIF Partners Exchange Luncheon

 

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

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

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

Cost: $40 payable by cash or check only

Space is limited so only the first 7 to RSVP to jdupree@fddcm.com may attend.

 

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 who are partners or owners of their law firm. 

 

This month's topic: Small law firm management, including various compensation models for partners, partner buy-in models, finding and hiring the right support staff, and where you can and cannot cut corners.

BALIF March Happy Hour

 

Please join us for the BALIF March Happy Hour!

Sponsored by Jinah Conroy of Courtroom Sciences

 

When: Thursday, March 27, 6-8 p.m. 

Where:Infusion Lounge

124 Ellis Street (between Mason and Powell)

San Francisco, CA

BALIF's 2nd Annual Career Expo

What continues to be the biggest need for our young lawyers and law students? Jobs!

 

Because it was such a huge success last year, we decided to do it again! Join BALIF attorneys and legal hiring experts for BALIF's Second Annual CAREER & NETWORKING EXPO. This most awesome and informative BALIF event will give you the tools and knowledge you need to help you get the job you've been looking for.

 

Saturday, March 29, 2013

12:30 pm - 6 pm

Golden Gate University School of Law

536 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-2968

 

  • Tables staffed by BALIF attorneys to give you the insider perspective on a spectrum of practice areas and organizations. New firms added daily!
  • One-on-one mock interview sessions.
  • Individual resume counseling.
  •  "Waiting for that Perfect Job?" Panel. Let us share our experiences with the job hunt and what you can do while looking for that perfect job.
  •  "Power Networking" Panel. Let BALIF members who found their jobs through networking (including through last year's Expo!) show you how to do it!
  • "Power Interview" Panel. Let the pros show you how to bring it all together and nail that job offer!
  • Networking Mixer to put to practice the skills you've learned all day. Location TBD.

If you're on the job hunt, this event is your wisest investment. RSVP now!

 

To our more experienced members -- here's your chance to give back to our community by staffing an informational booth. If you or your firm is interested in staffing a table, please contact Jamie Dupree at JDupree@FDDCM.com or Mario Choi at mchoi@kaplanfox.com.

 

Co-sponsored by Golden Gate School of Law.

BALIF/ NCLR/ FAP Social Movie Night
BALIF/NCLR/FAP Social Movie Night with a Conscience
 
Thursday, March 20, 2014 6-7:30 pm; Generously Hosted by: Covington & Burling LLP , One Front Street (at Market St.), 35th floor San Francisco, CA 94111 www.cov.com

Screening of 30-minute documentary; discussion with Family Acceptance Project (FAP) Director, Dr. Caitlin Ryan; hosted light refreshments. Tickets $15 or $25 Donor Choice. Film snacks, beer, wine & sodas included. Film screens at 6:30pm

Host Committee: Bruce Deming, Ruth Herring, Shannon Minter Charles Spiegel

This short documentary film "Families Are Forever" was created by the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and chronicles the journey of a devout Mormon family living in a conservative community who attended Church every Sunday, actively served in their ward, went door-to-door to stop same-sex marriage in support of California's Prop 8-- and whose lives were turned upside down when their 13-year-old son revealed he was gay. This story of love and acceptance has won awards at film festivals around the world. Families are Forever is part of a series of short documentaries produced by the Family Acceptance Project that depict the journey of ethnically and religiously diverse families to support their LGBT children - based on FAP's compelling research.

FAP's work was designated as the 1st "Best Practices" resource for suicide prevention for LGBT people by the national Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention, including the only Best Practice resources for suicide prevention for Mormon families. Other films in the series include a Mexican American Marine accepting his son.
BALIF Mixer with CAOC & MBC

 

BALIF Mixer with the Consumer Attorneys of California and members of the Minority Bar Coalition.  Hosted bar and appetizers. 

When: Thursday, April 10th
, 5:30-7:30
Where: Otis Lounge, 25 Maiden Lane, San Francisco
Calling All Past & Present
ALRP Board Members
 
Please join us for the ALRP 2014 Board Emeritus Wine & Cheese Party...a special evening of reuniting, socializing and networking as we gather to honor all of those who have served on ALRP's Board of Directors since our founding in 1983.

 

Wednesday, MARCH 19- 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Morrison & Foerster LLP / 425 Market Street, 33rd Floor - Town Hall

 

The party will feature ALRP Private Reserve Wines & Champagne along with wonderful cheeses and desserts. Hosting & catering arranged by ALRP Board Co-Chair Vince Novak/Morrison & Foerster LLP. By Invitation Only for Former ALRP Board Members*:  RSVP by 5:00pm MARCH 17 to Jim McBride at (415) 701-1200 ext. 301 or jim@alrp.org.  We hope to see you there!

*If you are interested in serving on the ALRP Board of Directors or a committee, contact ALRP Executive Director Bill Hirsh at 415-701-1200 ext. 308 or bill@alrp.org
LGBT Legal & 
Political Developments in Israel
The legal and political landscape for LGBT residents of Israel is changing rapidly, with emerging issues involving surrogacy for gay male couples, co-parenting arrangements, accommodation for transgender people, and the lack of civil marriage. Elinor Sidi is the director of Jerusalem Open House, a central location for social support, political activism and legal advocacy for the LGBT community. Sidi has also been involved in numerous social and political engagements regarding the role of Orthodox religion in LGBT affairs, and the concerns of gay Palestinians living in Israel. Come hear Sidi discuss the recent legal and political developments that affect the gay community in Israel. Thursday, April 17, 2014, 5:30 p.m. at the Law Offices of Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica.

Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica
180 Sansome Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco , CA 94104 

Attendees must RSVP by emailing Fred@Frederickhertz.com
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. 

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)
Lambda Legal Salon
Join Lambda Legal and its San Francisco Leadership Council for complimentary cocktails, conversation and equality at SALON. You will hear the latest news about Lambda Legal's work across the country protecting and advancing the rights of LGBT people and people living with HIV, while connecting with Lambda Legal supporters, friends and colleagues.

Friday, March 7, 2014, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
McGuire Showroom, San Francisco Design Center
Two Henry Adams Street, Suite 233
RSVP to Jennifer Bing, 415.800.8127 or info@bing-sf.com

Join and share at

http://www.bit.ly/SFSalon
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.

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

 

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples:
Is it Over Yet?

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples: Is it Over Yet?

Lecture by Professor Matthew Coles

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 from 3:30 - 4:30pm

Room B at UC Hastings

 

It looks like the question of whether the U.S. Constitution says states must marry same-sex couples is headed back to the Supreme Court. Is that a good thing? Would a win mean that the LGBT movement is mostly over? Stop in for some speculation on the next big moment in the legal movement for LGBT rights. Matthew Coles is the Deputy National Legal Director of the ACLU and Director of the ACLU's Equality Center.

 

For more information, visit here! 

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.

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

 

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!
Government Watchdogs Wanted

 

The Civil Grand Jury - the "watchdog" of the City and County of San Francisco - needs a diverse group of informed, intelligent, and interested San Francisco residents/U.S. citizens to serve a one-year term beginning on July 1, 2014. If you are passionate about a government that is effective and efficient, acknowledges the citizens' needs as a priority, and you are willing to devote 20 or more hours a week, please consider volunteering for the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury. You will come away with an in-depth knowledge of how your local government functions, as well as meet a variety of fascinating people while making a significant contribution to your community. For additional information and to apply, visit:  http://civilgrandjury.sfgov.org

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
March 11- Partners Exchange Luncheon 
March 20- BALIF/ NCLR/ FAP Social Movie Night
March 27- Happy Hour Sponsored by Courtroom Sciences
March 29- BALIF Career Fair
April 5- BALIF East Bay Family Friendly Social
April 10- BALIF Mixer with CAOC & MBC
April 17- LGBT Legal & Political Developments in Israel
April 24- BALIF Board Election Night
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 2014 Sponsors
Senior Partner Level
 
 
Partner Level

A&P


Fenwick
HB Logo
Kilpatrick

Mofo
Sedgwick2
Seyfarth


Wilson

Advocate Level

 

A.L. Nella & Company, CPAs 

AT&T 

Bingham McCutchen  

Farella Braun + Martel LLP 

Jones Day 

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. 

Nixon Peabody LLP 

O'Melveny & Meyers LLP 

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP 

Perkins Cole LLP 

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP 

Santa Clara University School of Law 

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton 

Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP 

 

Benefactor Level

 

Clarence, Dyer & Cohen LLP / Swanson & McNamara LLP 

Cooley Godward Kronish LLP 

FTI Consulting 

Futterman Dupree Dodd Croley Maier LLP 

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher 

Golden Gate University 

HaleyNelson & Heilbrun LLP 

Heath Newton LLP 

HendricksMurry, P.C. 

Jackson Lewis LLP 

JAMS 

Latham & Watkins LLP 

Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, P.C. 

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP 

Littler Mendelson 

Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP 

Paul Hastings LLP 

Pritzker Law 

Reed Smith LLP 

Roeca Hass Hager LLP 

San Francisco City Attorney's Office

San Francisco District Attorney's Office 

Schiff Hardin LLP 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 

Special Counsel 

Stein & Lubin LLP 

 

Individual Sponsors

 

Altep, Inc.  

Todd Norris, Bullivant Houser Bailey 

Michael Colantuono, Colantuono & Levin, P.C. 

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

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

 Cheryl Sena, Sena Family Law 

Judge Vaughn Walker ADR/Law Office Vaughn R Walker 

Hon. James L. Warren (Ret.), JAMS  

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP 
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