ACBA Diversity Interns visit the NYS Court of Appeals

Chief Judge Judith Kaye hosted the Fall 2008 Diversity Internship end of semester Reception at the NYS Court of Appeals on November 19.   Twelve Albany Law students received placements with local law firms this Fall.  Established in the Fall of 2000, the Albany County Bar Association’s Diversity Internship Program goal is to increase the representation of students of color in law firms and corporate legal departments in the Capital District and to provide students with a private sector work experience. Through this program, interns (second- and third-year students) will be provided with a meaningful work experience, appropriately supervised, with assignments equivalent to a junior associate’s actual work situation. Ten-week internship (100 hours; minimum of 10 hours per week during the semester, with a $1,800 stipend) with an assigned employer. Application deadline date for the Spring 2009 Internship program is January 5, 2009.  Visit the Career Services Manager (CSM) for more details and to apply. 
Photo Gallery:

Albany Law students meet with Judge Kaye

Presentation by Judge Kaye

Judges Jones and Treece at the Reception

Albany Law students on the Bench

Judges from the Court, joined by Judge Treece & Peter Pryor, Esq. ’54

Chief Justice Kaye with Umair Khan, ’09

5th Annual Light to Unite – World AIDS Day (December 1st)

Too many people are still in the dark about how widespread HIV/AIDS is in the U.S.  Shedding the light on the impact of HIV/AIDS here in the United States starts with one person.  You.  Go to www.lighttounite.org. Light a virtual candle and pass it along.  To a friend. To two. To as many as you can.  Join us.  Be part of the fight so no one is left in the dark.

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

Reactions Around The World As Obama Makes History

The world reacted to the historic election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday night. The democratic senator from Illinois has been elected the first black president of the United States, kicking off celebrations across the country. Rival John McCain graciously accepted defeat, and called on his supporters to show support for Obama. See the celebrations around the world below.

Defining Race Symposium on Friday, November 14th

The Albany Law Review and the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology will be hosting a symposium titled: “Defining Race,” where top scholars from across the country will analyze the definition of race through various unique approaches.  This symposium will be held Friday, November 14, 2008 at Albany Law School.  There will be three panels throughout the day at 9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.   For more information, please visit http://www.albanylawreview.org/symposia.php, or contact Daniel Bresler, Albany Law Review, Executive Editor at DBresler@albanylaw.edu.

Defining Race Flyer with more information on panelists

This will be a historic election, no matter what the outcome

Over 130 million Americans are expected to the polls in record numbers on November 4th, election officials have predicted.  In preparation for the election, a total of eleven student groups collaborated to bring renowned experts from across the nation to speak at this special event under the guidance of Professor Maria Grahn-Farley.  The symposium was also co-sponsored by the Diversity Office.  On October 30, three panels discussed issues ranging from: Race, Immigration, and Foreign Policy; Religion, Privacy, and the Constitution; to Health Care, Individual Autonomy and Fundamental Rights.   The evening was capped off by a Debate on Energy Policies and the Economy by representatives from the John McCain and Barack Obama Campaigns, it was moderated by the President & CEO of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, Alan Chartock.  You can view the results of the election HERE.

If you missed any of the panel discussions, you can read all about them at Albany Government Law Review’s blog, titled Fireplace, HERE.

Or, you can listen to the podcasts of each of the panels HERE.

View the brochure, flyer, and photo gallery below:

ELECTION SYMPOSIUM BROCHURE

ELECTION SYMPOSIUM FLYER

Pipeline opportunities: Become a tutor to a local grade school student.

Law students are needed to tutor elementary school children, Grades 1-6 in Albany’s South End.  Tutoring sessions are held daily from 3:00-4:30pm.  Tutors will provide one-on-one reading, writing and homework help to students in one of Albany’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.    Click HERE to learn more about Two Together.  We ask you all to consider taking part in this opportunity to participate in this federal work study program ($12 per hour will be paid to Albany Law student tutors) and affect the lives of young children in our community.  

If you have questions please contact:

On-campus coordinator: Director of Financial Aid, Andrea Wedler, awedl@albanylaw.edu or phone: (518) 445-2388.

Off-site Program Coordinator is: Ms. Elizabeth Gerron, MS Education Board President & Education Director, info@twotogether.org or phone: (518) 434-9055.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Speak out; listen up; and advocate for change!  

This October is more than Domestic Violence Awareness Month:  It’s the critical last few weeks before leadership changes hands across the country.  Act now and add your voice to the thousands of advocates calling for more funds and attention for our nationwide epidemic of abuse.   One in four women in the United States will be abused in her lifetime, which means this issue touches all our lives.  Each of us will make an important choice in November, but all of us can influence how our nation protects the health and safety of millions of women and girls.

Officials fear a rise in domestic violence cases in the Capital District.  Read recent article in Schenectady’s Gazette.

Stop Abuse Against Women

NYS Governor’s Office article in support of DV initiatives

If you or someone you know has EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT, RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE OR STALKING, assistance is available to you.

• It takes courage to survive.  It takes courage to get help.  The Legal Project (Capital District Women’s Bar Association) is your lifeline to FREE legal help.  Phone: (518) 435-1770 OR visit: www.legalproject.org OR email: info@legalproject.org  
• Albany County CVSVC: 24 Hour Hotline: (518) 447-7716 
• Equinox, Inc: 24 Hour Hotline: (518) 432-7865 
• www.capitaleap.com : 24 Hour Crisis Hotline, Confidential/Free: (800) 777-6531 
• On-campus representative, “Stop Violence Against Women”  USDOJ Grant.:  Pershia Wilkins, Director of Diversity, (518) 445-3284  

Click HERE to see how yours OR a friend’s relationship measure up.  The Equality & Respect Wheel and Power & Control Wheel was adapted from Reaching & Teaching Students to Stop Violence NDVSAC Grant.

October BLSA Events

The Albany Law School chapter of BLSA is sponsoring a number of events during the month of October.  A complete list of events can be found below.  The BLSA e-board hopes to see you at many of the events!

The District Attorney Candidate Debate
Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00pm in the DAMC 
See debate HERE. 

The BLSA Luncheon Series with Professor Pratt
Wednesday, October 8th from 12pm-1pm
*Please RSVP to dbowman@albanylaw.edu

Dinner with faculty advisors and “Protect the Vote” informational meeting
Thursday, October 9th at 7pm
*Please RSVP to pchauhan@albanylaw.edu

DEADLINE to submit $25 membership fee and the membership form to be considered a member of NBLSA/NEBLSA
Friday, October 10th at 2pm
*A $25 fee is NOT required to be part of our local BLSA, only the membership form.  (Dues paying members may participate in the Academic Retreat, Moot Court/Mock Trial competitions, Job Fair, Regional and/or National events).  
*Please RSVP to nloaknauth@albanylaw.edu .                                

AIDS Walk in Albany

Members of Team Albany Law School joined numerous local and national organizations  in the annual AID Walkathon on Sunday, September 28, 2008 in Washington Park.  This year over $175,000 in support of over 30 local service-based organizations was raised by over 1,900 walkers.  Patrick Harkins, ’10, President of Albany Law’s OUTlaw student organization along with other law students, alumni, and staff members joined walkers in this local fundraising effort.   Various other student organizations participated in this event to help raise money and awareness for the fight against AIDS.   

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

Photo Gallery:

Team Albany Law School

AIDS Walkathon 2008

Pershia Wilkins, Director of Diversity

Memories from AIDS quilt

Memories from AIDS quilt

Painting Iran Through American Eyes

The Muslim Law Students Association and Amnesty International enjoyed a very successful start to the school year with their first event “Painting Iran Through American Eyes”. The Rochester Room was packed with both law students and community members, who came to hear about the experience of the two speakers Priscilla Fairbanks and Barbara Springs. 

The speakers were members of a peace mission to Iran, who journeyed with the intention of building relationships between the people of the United States and the people of Iran. Their trip also provided an opportunity for a wide range of ordinary Iranians to encounter citizens of the United States as they really are, beyond the stereotypes that define many views of the West.

Priscilla and Barbara made a visual presentation of their experiences in Iran, and showcased the views, traditions, arts, and culture through pictures and souvenirs that they had brought with them. It was interesting to hear that Iranians like and respect the American people, but dislike the American Government and its policies. A young man who was a member of the peace mission made a lot of friends by learning to say in Farsi, “I hate Bush!” The aspiration of the event was that Americans would have a better understanding of a country that is frequently mentioned in the news and we believe that we were able to do that. 

This event was coordinated by 

View the event flyer here.

 

Photo gallery: