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 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

Albany Law selected to host a Viewing Party to celebrate Justice Sonya Sotomayor’s recent appointment

Albany Law School has been selected by NYS Governor David Paterson’s 

office to host a viewing party to celebrate the historical significance of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor’s recent appointment. The event will be held in New York City at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, and Albany Law has been selected as the sole Capital Region’s viewing party location.

 

The live webcast, will feature remarks by New York State Governor David Paterson, Justice Sotomayor and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It will be screened on our campus in the Dean Alexander Moot Courtroom (via Webcast).   The event will be viewed in law schools across the state. Date: Thursday, September 24,  From: 6PM – 7PM 

AABANY’s President and Executive Director successful visit with Albany Law students

Eight members of the Asian American Bar Association of NewYork  (AABANY) visited our campus on Saturday, September 19th for its inaugural Upstate Presentation and Network Luncheon. 

The Executive Board members were welcomed by our Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Susan Feathers and Executive Director Yang Chen, Esq. , Robert Leung, Esq., President of AABANY James Chou, Esq., Christopher Chan, Esq., Francis Chen, Esq. and William Ng, Esq., Chair, Student Outreach Committee presented to over 25 students (Prof. Nancy Ota joined us) in our Matthew Bender Classroom (Room 425).     

In Dean Feathers welcome comments she extended special thanks to, “…the Diversity Office, the E-board of the Albany Law chapter of our Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), and Adjunct Professor Lillian Moy, local AABANY Chair, as being  instrumental in creating the opportunity for members of AABANY to meet our students.

Albany Law School is committed to diversity in our student body, we support and encourage the membership of our student body to many bar associations.  The AABANY members presence on our campus is yet another step in providing additional support to the largest minority student population on campus.  With over 60 students on our campus who have self-identified as Asian Pacific American and it was clear that Albany Law’s goals were similar to those of AABANY –that is, to ensure that the legal community reflects the client-base and communities that students will serve as new attorneys.     A networking luncheon and small group meetings took place after presentation. 
Students who attended (RSVP’d) this event received a free student membership scholarship to join AABANY on Saturday, Congrats!.   For students interested in becoming members, it costs: $5/per year, please register HERE.  For an after-graduation fellowship opening for a 3L student see www.aabany.org for details, apply today.   View AABANY’s Facebook: Click HERE

View a Photo Gallery of event’s activities. 

Yang Chen, Esq., Executive Director presentation to our students.

2L and 3L students catch up at the reception

Director of Diversity, Pershia Wilkins at the network luncheon reception.

A group discussion with visiting attorney

Francis Chin, Esq., Secretary of AABANY speaks with Dean Feathers and students.

The Executive Board of AABANY, Dean Feathers and local Chair of AABANY Lillian Moy

Dean Susan Feathers and Adjunct Prof. Lillian Moy joins the AABANY Executive Board

2L student with Executive Director, Yang Chen

Networking reception