Thursday, September 29, 2005

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: GBLS Asian Outreach Unit /VLP needs interpreters

Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association is seeking interpreters fluent in Asian languages to assist with family law intake. VLP provides family law assistance to low-income Asian clients in the Boston community. Interpreters assist staff attorneys in conducting family law intake and translating basic documents.

· Interpreters are needed in the following languages: Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Mandarin, Thai and Vietnamese.
· Interpreters are paid $30/hr.
· Maximum time commitment is 1-3 hrs. per week.

For more information, please contact Julie Dahlstrom at ext. 134 or jdahlstrom@vlpnet.org.

See: https://wfs.bc.edu/chencq/APALSA/VLP_Volunteers.doc

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Announcing (belatedly, sorry) APALSA's 1L Section Reps

On Friday, September 23, APALSA had the privilege of welcoming three 1Ls to assist the eboard in serving our 1L's needs. But since the general body meeting was on a Friday, two thirds of APALSA doesn't know who they are :-) So without further ado, here are the section representatives for the class of 2008:

Teresa Hau (Section 1)
Anthony Nguyen (Section 2)
Jessica Liou (Section 3)

Please offer them your warmest congratulations the next time you see them.

E

PS Don't worry folks, scheduling the general body meeting on a Friday was a one time thing that could not be helped due to 1L profs scheduling makeup classes left and right and the need to elect 1L reps ASAP. 2Ls and 3Ls will have ample opportunity to be fed :-)

2Ls and 3Ls: Please send in your old outlines!

In another couple of weeks, we will have all of the 1Ls signed up for the LexisNexis webcourse, but the outlines on there are all getting kind of old. We need fresh outlines!!

So, 2Ls and 3Ls: Please dig out your outlines and e-mail them to Carl (takei@bc.edu). Make sure to specify the PROFESSOR, COURSE, and SEMESTER/YEAR of the outline! If at all possible, please rename the file to include this information -- like, for instance, "Torts - McMorrow - Fall 2004.doc"

Thanks!

P.S. to the 1Ls:
The fact that I am asking for outlines right now does not mean that everyone is signed up for the webcourse yet! I am just doing this in advance so that once everyone is signed up, we will have a fresh supply of outlines posted there. I will e-mail everybody once the enrollment process is complete. Please do not ask me about it before then!!!!!!

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Info regarding 1Ls and LexisNexis webcourse

In the past couple days, we've gotten renewed inquiries about the LexisNexis webcourse.

As I stated in my e-mail last week, 1Ls will not have access to the LexisNexis webcourse for a couple of weeks. We will send an announcement over the listserv once everyone is enrolled in the LexisNexis webcourse. Until you receive that e-mail, please do not e-mail the Board asking why the LexisNexis webcourse is not working for you. It is not working because you are not yet enrolled in the webcourse.

As I stated last week, the major reasons for the time this takes are technical:
(1) Not all of the 1Ls have started using LexisNexis in your LRRW classes, which means that you are not all in the LexisNexis user list right now. This means I have no way of adding many of you to the webcourse yet.
(2) LexisNexis has a really slow course management interface, which requires me to type in each name by hand and then click through a couple of menus each time I add a person. This means that even after all of you have active LexisNexis accounts, it will take me a while to get everyone entered in.

As I stated last week, seeing a bazillion outlines will not help you much at this point in the semester. However, if you have a burning desire to start looking at other peoples' outlines before everyone is enrolled in the webcourse, ask your mentor for copies of his/her outlines.

Thursday Happy Hour Reminder

Just a reminder that today, September 22, APALSA will be having a happy hour at Sapporo's (81 Union St Newton Center, MA 02459). Read on for details...



Hey All,

Join me and other Apalsa folks at Sapporo's on Thursday at 5pm for
beer, sake, and some food. We'll be there til about 6:30pm or 7pm, so
you'll have plenty of time to go home and hit the books. My buddy's
the chef there, so we'll probably get a few freebies, but everything
else will be out of pocket.

-Mike

Monday, September 19, 2005

Coalition For Equality: 1st General Meeting

Please join the Coalition for Equality at our first general meeting of the year.

This Friday, September 23

12:30-1:30 in East Wing 200

Pizza and refreshments will be provided!

Come hear about what CFE has in store this year, including (but not limited to):

SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS: This December, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear FAIR v. Rumsfeld, a case that started here at Boston College Law School, challenging the Solomon Amendment. CFE is a named plaintiff in the suit, and we want to tell you all about it! We'll present a quick overview of how the case got started, where it's going, and how we're all traveling to DC to support the suit in December!

SOLOMON DAYS: We're presenting a two-day series of events this year bringing big names in law and policy to the law school to talk about the various arguments in the Solomon lawsuit and their impact on the future of the country, including gay rights, first amendment law, and the meaning of the commerce clause. We'll say more about it on Friday, including how you can be a part of these exciting events.

PROTESTS: What we do best! Last year, the Third Circuit affirmed what we already knew: that it violates our rights to have a discriminatory employer on campus who forces the school to breach its nondiscrimination policy (see www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/034433p.pdf ). So we will continue to protest the presence of the one discriminatory employer on campus. The military is recruiting in October, and CFE is ready to welcome them in style, with ribbons, posters, and other public education tools telling the school community that it's harmful to students when we violate our nondiscrimination policy.

MUCH MORE! CFE is the only multi-issue, grassroots organization on campus committed to representing the voices of those who are silent, under-represented, or discriminated against on this campus and beyond. Please join us to hear more and to share your ideas for activism on the BCLS campus.

P.S. Also join Lambda and CFE this Thursday, when Connecticut State Senator Andrew McDonald, who authored the CT Civil Unions Bill, will speak about the various routes to marriage equality in EW 120 at 3:30. Questions? Contact Vicky at steinbev@bc.edu.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

APALSA Happy Hour Thursday, 9/22

Save the date: On Thursday, September 22, APALSA will be having a happy hour starting at 5pm at Sapporo Japanese and Korean Restaurant (81 Union St Newton Center, MA 02459). More details will be forthcoming...

SALSA Introductory Meeting 2005-2006

BC Law’s
South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA)


Introductory Meeting 2005-2006
Wednesday, September 21
11:15-12pm
EW200

Join us for lunch as we discuss:

Networking Opportunities within the South Asian Community
Religious Events
Community Outreach
Issues Relating to South Asian Culture and the Law


For More Information Contact:
Kavitha Janardhan
janardha@bc.edu

First General Body Meeting 9/23

First General Body Meeting
Friday, September 23, 1230pm
Room 115A EW


Hi there APALSA people, just wanted to inform you all that we’re having our first General Body Meeting this week on Friday afternoon. I know the Friday date might not be the best for the 2Ls and 3Ls, but due to class scheduling conflicts, this day ensures that everyone can attend. As a little extra incentive, door prizes will be given out, and as always, lunch will be served :-)

So come on down and take a little time to welcome the 1Ls into the fold, and meet your mentor/mentee if you have not done so already. You’ll be glad you did.

Cya Friday,

E


PS For those of you who heard (probably from me) that the general body meeting was Weds in Stuart 315, please disregard that announcement.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

LALSA's 1st GENERAL MEETING

YOU ARE INVITED TO:

LALSA's 1st GENERAL MEETING

Join our celebration of Central American Independence

& the beginning of

The Hispanic Herigate Month

Get a taste of SALVADORIAN FOOD

and learn more about our activities on campus!!!

WHEN: TODAY - TH 9/15/05 @12:30PM

WHERE: EW-200

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Shelter Legal Services introductory meeting Sept. 15

BC Shelter Legal Services:

Introductory Meeting
===================
3:30pm, Thurs, 9/15/05.
EW 115B.

Meeting Agenda
===================
Describe what we do.
Announce training dates.
Q/A.

What is BC Shelter Legal?
===================
We're a campus extension of Shelter Legal Services Foundation (SLSF),
Inc., which is a non-profit organization that provides free legal
services to people via several clinics in Cambridge and Boston.

Through SLSF, law students from day one of their first year can meet
clients, do intake interviews, and manage their own cases under the
supervision of an attorney. Cases involve issues from immigration to
housing to divorce and more. It's common in your first year to have
at least one case that goes to court or an administrative hearing.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Peter Irons on campus! (9/21, 4pm, EW120)

We are proud to have Supreme Court historian Peter Irons on campus to speak about his new book, War Powers : How the Imperial Presidency Hijacked the Constitution. Irons, a professor at the University of California at San Diego, has written numerous books on the Supreme Court and constitutional litigation (including A People's History of the Supreme Court and Justice at War, about the Japanese internment cases), and is a practicing civil rights and civil liberties attorney who played a prominent role in reversing the 1940s criminal convictions of Fred Korematsu and other Japanese Americans who challenged the WWII curfew and internment orders.

Wednesday, September 21
East Wing 120
4:00 pm

Refreshments will be served. Books will be on sale near the lecture room starting at 3:30 pm.

Sponsored by the BC Law chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-BC), in cooperation with the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA), the Holocaust and Human Rights Program (HHRP), and the International Law Society (ILS).

Monday, September 12, 2005

Negotiation Competition: Student Help needed this week

Hey all - Carline and I have having a "little" problem w/ the neg competition and need you help. This year, we have 140 students signed up for the neg competition - double the number from last year.

If you could help and please ask your organization students if they can help judging, that would be great - with such a large number of teams, we need all the help we can get and students are needed only for the practice round this week.

We need student/judges this Tuesday 9/13 and/or Wednesday 9/14 from 6:15-9 the actual competition is from 7-9 but we'll serve pizza and soda before hand so we are asking judges to come at 6:15.

If anyone can help, that would be great. Please let me know asap so I can set up time/place and e-mail the judge's instruction to the students volunteering - they can also contact me directly.

Tks

Roberta

Join us at the Constitutional Convention!

Hi everyone,

Please see below for exciting information about history being made in Massachusetts on Wednesday and how you can help!

ACTION ALERT

As you probably know, this Wednesday a major event is taking place at the Massachusetts State House. That day, the Senate and House meet together at the Constitutional Convention to vote on whether allow an amendment to the state constitution to move forward. This amendment would ban same-sex marriage, while allowing for the possibility of civil unions. If it passes on Wednesday, it will move on to the statewide ballot in 2006.

We urge you to try to attend this historic event on Wednesday to protect against discrimination in our state constitution and to protect the thousands of same-sex marriages that have already taken place. Some of us are already planning to be there protesting, watching the debate, and organizing, and we want you to join us!

FOUR EASY WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1) CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR! It is *essential* that legislators hear from their constituents in huge numbers between now and Wednesday at 1pm. Please give your Senator or Rep a quick call and tell them that you support equal marriage rights. To find out who your legislators are, go to www.massequality.org. Calling is painless (much easier than preparing to speak in class, and we know that you do *that* all the time), and it can make all the difference!!

2) COME TO THE STATE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY! You can take the red line or green line T, get off at Park Street and you won't be able to miss it! The actual debate begins at 1:00pm, but we'll be outside and inside the state house rallying from 6:30 am until the debate ends (which could go late into the evening). Take some time away from school for a different kind of legal education and join us for a few hours!

If you have questions about what's happening that day, transportation or other logistics, feel free to call or e-mail Gavi (wolfegb@bc.edu) or Vicky (steinbev@bc.edu; 617-974-6880) - we'd love to see you there!

Also, consider attending a candlelight vigil for marriage rights tomorrow (Tuesday) night from 6:00-7:30pm at the State House. It's a great opportunity to join the pro-equality community bringing in Wednesday's action.

3) VOLUNTEER! If you have some time on Wednesday to help out or any time between now and then, we need your help! Visit www.massequality.org to find out about volunteer opportunities.

4) PASS ALONG this message to your friends, classmates, and coworkers! See you Wednesday...


Emily Bajcsi
Lambda co-chair

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Volunteer for the Silk Road Gala, October 22, 2005!

This year's Gala will be held on Saturday, October 22 at Marriott Copley Hotel.
We ask for your support again to help this wonderful and important event for our clients and their children who are the survivors of domestic violence.
We really need dedicated, hardworking volunteers like you for the success of the Gala.

If you are interested, please fill out the form (link) and return to me via e-mail, fax, or regular mail. (We need to collect application forms every year even from you who have previously volunteered. I apologize in advance for extra paper work.)

I would also like to ask you to please forward it to those who might be interested.
Please feel free to contact me for any questions.

I truly hope we will be able to work with you again!

Thank you,
Koko Oyama

Silk Road Gala 12th Annual Celebrations October 22, 2005, Marriot Copley Place, Boston


Join our efforts towards ending domestic violence
in Asian families and communities
by volunteering at the Silk Road Gala



WHAT IS THE ASIAN TASK FORCE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Founded in 1987, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence is New England's first and only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency shelter and advocacy services primarily for Asian survivors of domestic violence and their children.


WHAT IS THE SILK ROAD GALA ALL ABOUT?


The Gala is an annual fundraising event to benefit the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence. This year's Gala celebration will be held at the Marriott Copley Place, Boston.

The Silk Road Gala, now in its twelfth year, includes an auction and features music and performances from China, Japan, India, Korea, and other parts of Asia. Many exquisite Asian dishes are featured in the Gala's menu. 2005 marks the 12th year anniversary of Silk Road, and this year's celebration promises to be extra special.


HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteers are a major contributor to the success of the Gala. There are many ways you can help.
Set Up (Auction Tables, Centerpieces, Decorations), Greeters/Ushers, Silent Auction Assistants for Guests, Floaters, Entertainment, Production Services, Wrap-up, and more!


For more information, please contact Koko Oyama at 617.338.2352 x227 or email hiroko@atask.org.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Student Help Needed: Negotiation Competition

Hello everyone!!!!

Remeber those negotiation days.... I know it seems like not too long ago but, yes, it is that time of the year again and we need your help!!! All you need is your ILPR knowledge...

We are in great need of 2Ls to judge the practice rounds and if you could volunteer to judge at least one group, one round, or more if you can, we would be forever grateful :-)

The practice rounds are taking place on Tuesday, 9/13 and Wednesday, 9/14 and we have plenty of rooms in the library reserved from 6:30 PM - 9:30PM so we can work around your schedule. This will be the first opportunity for the 1Ls to receive feedback and a great opportunity for you to act like an expert and practice what we "really" learned from ILPR!!!!

Okay, if having the opportunity to boost your ego as the "know it all" 2 or 3L isn't enough, we will serve pizza and refreshments as well!!!!!

Please let me know ASAP if you can make it any of the days/times - we would prefer to have all the teams go b/w 7:00 and 9:00 so that we have time to meet before that for pizza at the BSA room.

Thank you in advance and we hope you will be able to join us.

Roberta and Carline
Negotiations Competition Co-Chairs

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Letter from Diversity Committee of Wilmer Hale NY

September 3, 2005

Dear Student,

We are attorneys in the New York office of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, and encourage you to consider Wilmer Hale as you plan your career.

Wilmer Hale offers you the chance to do cutting-edge legal work for leading national and international clients as well as stellar pro bono opportunities, with terrific, smart people in a collegial atmosphere. Moreover, Wilmer Hale is committed to creating an environment where committed individuals can thrive, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Since the merger in 2004, the fabric of the New York office has been evolving daily into an exciting practice of increasing breadth and diversity. We hope you will come and meet us.

Attorneys from our office will be at Boston College to conduct on-campus interviews on September 7, 2005. If you are interested in Wilmer Hale, but are not scheduled to meet with us, please stop by to say hello and leave a cover letter, resume and transcript with a representative of the firm. If you are not able to do so and would still like to explore a career at Wilmer Hale, we urge you to mail your cover letter, resume and transcript to any one of us, or to the attention of Amy Keane, Legal Personnel and Recruitment Manager at the above address.

If you have any questions about associate life, professional opportunities, diversity issues or anything else at Wilmer Hale, please do not hesitate to contact any of us by telephone or email. Our contact information is listed on the firm website at www.wilmerhale.com.

Thank you for considering Wilmer Hale. We wish you the best of luck in both the job search process and in your future career.

Friday, September 02, 2005

AALAM 2005-2006 Kick-Off Reception

Dear APALSA,

On behalf of the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts(AALAM), I welcome you back to Boston. I want to let you know that we, as the local Asian Pacific American bar organization and local affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), encourage all law students to participate in our activities. Please inform your APALSA of our web site to get more information, including membership applications. Membership is complimentary for law students.

We host a variety of social and educational activities, including a mentor-mentee program and an Annual Law Student Scholarship Award. We also host an Annual Banquet in the Spring. Previous speakers at thatevent include Justice Fernande Duffly, attorney Ralph Martin formerly chair of the Judicial Nominating Committee), Chief Justice Margaret Marshall, and prominent civil rights attorney Dale Minami successfully represented Fred Korematsu in getting Mr. Korematsu's 1944 conviction overturned some 40 years later). Please do not hesitate to contact me, any board member, or the AALAM liaison that is contacting you. We look forward to meeting you and your fellow APALSA members. We are having a Fall-Kick Off Reception on September 22, 2005 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Edwards & Angell, LLP (101 Federal Street, Boston, MA). All are welcome. Please RSVP to Donna Longo-Kumes at br />(dlongo-kumes@EdwardsAngell.com). This is a great opportunity to network with attorneys in all areas of practice in Massachusetts, and learn more about AALAM.

Best regards,
Jeffrey Hsi
AALAM President 2005-2006