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.

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:

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

U.S. President Obama Visits the Capital Region Today, September 21, 2009

President Barack Obama acknowledged two Albany Law School graduates, N.Y. State Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson ‘91 and the state’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo ‘82 at the beginning of his remarks earlier today at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy, N.Y.   Photo gallery from HVCC today, Here.

A script of the President’s speech, from www.whitehouse.gov, HERE.
Hudson Valley Community College, Fall 2009 –Fact Sheet, HERE.

 President Obama visited HVCC today to talk about education, workforce development, and technology-based economic development, especially in the area of clean energy. The invitation-only crowd was limited to approximately 200 people, including elected officials, business leaders, reporters and 60 HVCC students.

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.

Fall 2009 Wellness Series

The Student Affairs Office is pleased to announce our Fall 2009 Wellness Series. The Series begins this week with a FREE Chair Massage by Albany Massage Therapy Associates on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 4-6pm in the Gym. Upcoming events include Flu Education and Immunization (10/2); Meditation as a Means of Stress Reduction (TBD); and Eating Healthy on  a Budget (11/4).  Please stop by the GYM for a little relaxation as we kick off our Wellness Series.    If you have questions, contact studentaffairs@albanylaw.edu or phone: (518) 445-3302   

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