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.

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

Inaugural Upstate NY AABANY presentation

APALSA and the Diversity Office at Albany Law School in collaboration with the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) an affiliate of NAPABA, invites you to attend an Inaugural Upstate New York AABANY networking presentation and luncheon on Saturday, September 19th, from noon – 2 p.m. in Matthew Bender Room (Room 425 – in Building 1928) at the Law School.  James Chou, AABANY’s President, will be in attendance.  Over 10 attorneys from DC area, NYC and Upstate will be on hand to offer mentor matches and advice to law students. 

AIDS Walk 2009, Join team Albany Law Today!

Albany Law School will be participating in the 2009 AIDS walk in Albany.  This event will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2009. Please join us in sponsoring a walker.

For information on local, confidential, and anonymous HIV testing, visit:  http://www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/aids

Time of Walk on Sept. 27th is: 1 PM 
Location: Washington Park, Albany 

For some general information:  http://www.aidswalk-capitalregion.org/.  Sponsor Form is HERE.
What we need you to do:
1) REGISTER: Go to http://www.firstgiving.com.  After you go to the page, you can just have people donate there or you can “join this team” and create your own page which will be added to Team Albany Law School.

The Language Project, volunteers needed

 The Language Project engages multi-lingual Albany Law School students to provide free translation/interpretation services to local public interest firms and organizations.

The Language Project serves various ends. To law students, it provides an alternative means of professional development, while using their language skills. Students gain knowledge about judicial and administrative proceedings and develop legal skills in client counseling, advocacy and litigation through the second-hand experience of being a practicing attorney. Also, it allows students to incorporate community services and outreach as a part of their legal training in their early stage of professional development. To the local legal community, the Project provides quality interpretation/translation services with law students who have prior exposure to and knowledge in law.

The Language Project raises a social awareness within the local immigrant community. Members of the Albany community can enjoy the benefits of effective legal representation and the importance of diversity and individual uniqueness, regardless of their culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, language, national or ethnic origin.

This Program is organized by the Diversity Office, volunteers commit to at least one assignment per semester

The Iraqi Refugee Crisis: An International Perspective

This event which is being held on Tuesday, September 1st from 6pm -7:30pm is being co-sponsored by Albany Law School’s Muslim Law Student Association, Amnesty International, the International Law Society, and the Diversity Office in conjunction with the Iraqi Refugee Project Coalition.

Event will take place at Albany Law School, in Room 209 (Rochester Moot Courtroom).   This event is Free & Open to the public.

The event will be followed by a reception at which locally resettled Iraqi refugees will be in attendance to share their experiences.

For more information, contact alumna/moderator,  Zainab Chaudhry, ‘98 at 518-210-8456 or law student Ali Chaudhry, ‘10 at achaudhry@albanylaw.edu.

Kristele Younes, a senior advocate for Refugee International, she has surveyed and advocated on behalf of displaced Iraqis in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, as well as refugees in Darfur, Afghanistan and Pakistan. She was previously a legal officer with the Coalition for the International Criminal Court in the Hague.