Albany Law welcomes NAACP Rosa Parks Literacy Education Academy’s local grade school students to our campus

During the Fall 2009 semester, three Albany Law School students (a representative from the 1st (Garrett), 2nd (Nathan) and 3rd (Jennifer) year classes) acted as tutors/mentors to 3rd – 8th graders from the City of  Albany’s Arbor Hill community.   The  NAACP Rosa Parks Literacy Education Academy Program was created to “Bridge the Reading Gap” between the reading level of where a student is and where they are suppose to be according to their age and grade.   The mission of this youth (Saturdays only!  from: 10am – Noon) tutoring program was developed to improve the reading skills of students using the “Read Naturally” software; provide one-on-one tutoring help; offer homework assistance; and provide mentoring assistance and support.   To volunteer as a mentor, contact the Director of the Program, Mr. Leroy Graham at: (518)462-1246 or email:  leroyadmn@msn.com  

The Academy’s students and their mentors visited our campus twice during the Fall, during their first visit on Saturday, November 7th the mentees participated in a fun mock trial (the trial of the missing gloves), where they played the part of lawyers, jurors, bailiff and Judge (the Executive Director of our Moot Court Board loan us a Judge’s robe for the kids to use during the trial ~Many Thanks! Joshua~).  During the mock trial their college mentors (from Albany Law School and University at Albany) played the roles of defendant and plaintiff.

The Diversity Office  hosted both visits, with the second visit being an end of semester Holiday celebration on Saturday, December 12th from 10:30am -12:30pm in the Matthew Bender Classroom.   Our law students and staff who took the time to help make this a fun, welcoming event for the kids.  Thank you so much, law students and staff: Michal, Nathan and Lisa  for your assistance in decorating Room 425 for the party with holiday lights, christmas ornaments/decorations and played holiday music to welcome these grade school students back to our campus.  

Three arts & crafts project stations (supervised by their mentors) were set up in the classroom to assist mentees in creating ornaments and edible christmas trees and gingerman houses, and also painted holiday posters for their families.   A great time was had by all.   See below photo gallery of their two fun visits to Albany Law School:

Director Leroy Graham is joined by Pershia Wilkins, Director, of the Diversity Office and their mentors on Dec. 12th.

Albany City Court Judge, The Honorable Helena Heath-Roland (who is a long time mentor) assist students.

Students drawing, while others leave holiday wishes/thank you notes to our law students on the white board.

She is so proud of the holiday ornament she made.

The creation of a gingerbread house. Everyone helping each other.

The making of a 2009 poster for the Academy’s office.

Mentees took over the court room. ~Note: the 11 year-old Judge.

The Prosecutor (Laroi) cross-examines a witness, while jurors looked on.

After the mock trial on November 7th, students, mentors and Director Wilkins in a group photo

Congratulations to Prof. Gathii on the publication of his new book!

Please join us in congratulating James Gathii, the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship and Governor George E. Pataki Professor of International Commercial Law on the publication of his  new book, War, Commerce & International Law, published by the Oxford University Press.  Description of the book:

Recent wars and conflicts, the ‘blood diamond’ wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as asset freezing and blocking in the so called war against terrorism have more than ever before raised questions about the status of private property and contract rights after the outbreak of war. Do invading and occupying powers have the right to destroy and confiscate private property and ignore contract rights? Are residents of a war-torn countries and foreign investors alike protected by international laws that uphold commercial freedom? Who, and on what legal authority, decides cases over contested resources during or after war? As globalization and armed conflicts continue to grow and co-exist, these questions are increasingly in the international spotlight.

War, Commerce, and International Law authoritatively explores these questions in the context of the relationship between war and commerce, on one hand, and international law, on the other. This book also places these questions in a historical context. Professor Gathii argues that there are continuities and discontinuities in the ways in which these rules were applied in colonial acquisitions of territory and in the protection of the rights of bond holders in the period before the twentieth century, and the manner in which private property and contract rights are being treated under occupation and during wartime in the contemporary period.  To learn more about the book, Click HERE.

Health Law Week is November 7-12, 2009

Albany Law School’s Health Law Society and the Office of Student Affairs has received a grant for the maximum amount from the American Bar Association Law Student Division.   Health Law week is co-sponsored by the Health Law Society and Office of Student Affairs.  

VISIT: http://www.albanylaw.edu/sub.php?navigation_id=1782 to view an updated schedule of programs during the week along with a list of speakers and co-sponsors.  This week’s events is open to the public. 

Albany Law’s presence at The Link, Inc., Cookin’ With Jazz XII Event

On Sunday, October 18, 2009, six third-year Albany Law students, two alumni, the Director of Diversity and Professor Stephen Gottlieb  and his wife were joined by Mrs. Eleanor Baker, who is a lifelong Links member and wife of the late John T. Baker, Albany Law School’s first African-American Dean & President and a Professor Emeritus)  were among the over 200 people to attend the Albany District Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Event:  Cookin’ With Jazz XII “From Jazz to Swing” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Albany.  Proceeds raised at this women’s run event will benefit The Links, Foundation, Inc. in support of Albany District Links’ signature service program, “Believers and Achievers”, and charitable programs throughout the Greater Capital Regions.   

An Albany Law’s alumnus were among the 30+ Gourmet Chefs to serve tasty food from over 15 countries.  As we enjoyed the delicious dishes, we listened to the sweet smoky sounds of Jazz and watched Swing dancing demonstrations.  One of our students, Patrick Harkins, ‘10 accepted the challenge of dancing with the professional instructor (see photo below).  The evening wrapped up with the naming of prizes for their fundraiser raffle of great items.   A Very Special Thanks for the generousity of  one of our own, a Links member:  Professor Lenese Herbert  –who brought this great event to our attention and sponsored our students.  THANK YOU to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Susan Feathers in supporting this event, co-sponsoring students and encouraging attendance and participation.    Photo Gallery:

Director of Diversity, Pershia Wilkins is joined by Albany Law students.

Ali Chaudhry, ‘10 & Jillian Kasow, ‘10 enjoys the food served by 30 Gourmet Chefs.

Our own Patrick Harkins, ‘10 takes the dance floor with a professional Swing dancer.

Attendees enjoy the sounds of Jazz and Swing music.

Professor Gottlieb and his wife greets Links member Mrs. Eleanor Baker, wife of the late John T. Baker, Albany Law School’s First African-American Dean & President.

Albany Law Holds Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness

Albany Law School students, faculty, staff and friends held an evening vigil in front of the law school in remembrance of victims of domestic violence on Oct. 14.   To promote National Domestic Violence Awareness Month on our campus, The Domestic Violence Clinic, the Women’s Law Caucus and the Albany Law Task Force to Reduce Domestic & Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking worked together to make this event a success.  To view a purple light Albany Law in support of DV, Click Here 

The vigil began with remarks from Ms. Karla DiGirolamo of Unity House, followed by the lighting of candles and illumination of the law school’s historic 1928 Building with purple lights as part of the statewide “Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” campaign. Barbara Chandler, a paralegal in the Law Clinic & Justice Center, also performed a rousing rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly.”   A reception followed in the East Foyer.

Albany Law students, and faculty have been working since 1993 with local courts, agencies, government and nonprofit agencies, task forces and coalitions on new initiatives related to domestic violence. This semester alone, students are working in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady assisting in the prosecution of domestic violence crimes.  This event was sponsored by Grant No. 2007-WA-AX-0011 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.

Prof. Finkelman Helps Overturn Century-Old Murder Conviction

Professor Paul Finkelman made national headlines for his role in securing a posthumous pardon for Thomas and Meeks Griffin, who were wrongly convicted of a controversial murder nearly 100 years ago. 

See NBC Nightly News for video.

Their great-nephew, syndicated talk show host Tom Joyner, learned about their existence—and their conviction—two years ago while watching the PBS documentary “African American Lives 2,” 

Schedule of Events -National DV Awareness Month

To promote National Domestic Violence Awareness Month on our campus, The Domestic Violence Clinic, the Women’s Law Caucus and the Albany Law Task Force to Reduce Domestic & Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking have joined together to organize the following:

Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize today, Friday, October 9th.   Obama became the third sitting U.S. president to receive this prestigious award and the fourth overall. He was praised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, “For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”.   The Nobel recipient  receives a prize of  about $1.4 million.   For more details, see www.cnn.com 

President Obama at 11:19am today said: “I will accept this award as a call of action…”  Read the entire speech: Click HERE from the Whitehouse’s Office of the Press Secretary.

Cultural Competency Training (4 hour session)

Albany Law School, the Medical Society of New York, and the NYS Office of Mental Health will co- sponsor a FREE “Cultural Competence Training”  on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at Albany Law School, in the East Wing Classroom (Building 1928).  We invite you to participate in this interactive training that is designed to encourage an open dialogue related to culture, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs and practices and the implications for working effectively in cross cultural situations. 

The Office of Student Affairs and Diversity Office will co-sponsor a coffee break during this training.   

We encourage faculty, staff and students interested in gaining information on cultural and lingistic competence in the context of health care to attend this program.    See below link for the Registration Form.  We still have seats available, register TODAY!

Cultural Competency Flyer HERE          Registration Form HERE

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”  Anais Nin

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October was National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  THANK YOU Albany Law School community for donating money and/or time to a group that assists survivors.  If you or someone you know is trying to make life changes,  –help is available (we care about YOU).   Throughout the year we remain aware of this violence,  we also remember the child victims (and survivors) who are witnesses to this violence in their homes:  Click HERE to hear their little voices, and lets never forget them, click above to see how their lives are affected.  We have to continue the fight to keep our children safe, for them to have a peaceful, fear free childhood.   Below is a list of organizations doing good work: 

Albany Law School’s Campus Response to Stop Abuse Against Women Campaign is in place to support you:  Click Here to learn more about our local Albany partners ready to assist you today, with whatever decision you chose.  Hard copies of our “Stop Abuse Against Women” brochures are located in restrooms on-campus and at the two security stations.

For Immediate Assistance & for a supportive ear:
N.Y.S. Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence www.opdv.state.ny.us.  If your partner is threatening or hurting you or your children, you are not alone!  Call toll-free (800) 942-6906.  NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline, 24 Hours/7 Days a Week.    

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Toll free: (800)799-7233: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this line is a resource for safety information and can connect any caller with shelters and protection advocates in your area.

Vine (www.vinelink.com): Active in 47 states, vinelink.com allows women to search for an offender in custody by name or identification number, then register to be alerted if the offender has been released or transferred, or has escaped.

Women’s Law (www.womenslaw.org): This site has state-by-state legal information and resources for victims, as well as advice on how to leave an abusive situation, gather evidence of abuse, and prepare for court.

Medical and Financial Resources:
Face to Face (800)842-4546 Toll Free: This program provides free plastic and reconstructive surgery to victims who have sustained injuries to the face, head, and/or neck.

Give Back a Smile (800)773-4227: Front teeth damaged by a violent partner or spouse are repaired pro bono.

Amy’s Courage Fund (www.nnedv.org/projects): The fund gives emergency financial assistance to women trying to escape a domestic abuse situation. Grants are available for up to $2,000.

Education and Job Training Assistance Fund (www.nnedv.org/projects): Grants from the Allstate Foundation help domestic violence victims enter and stay in the workforce. The money (up to $1,000) can be used for classes, clothes, computers, and other resources.

Turning Point, For Women and Families: Click HERE