Weekly Newsletter        |        December 6, 2016
In This Issue
Message from the BALIF Board 
 
The holiday season is usually one of my favorite times of the year, with many gatherings to celebrate with family, friends and business colleagues alike.  With our boys being 8 and 10, we are experiencing the normal excited anticipation of the holidays, with lots of discussions of potential gifts, baking cookies and other treats, parties and family visits, all which emphasize the very sweetness of life itself.  But this year is unique in that the holiday excitement is somewhat tempered for me by anxiety about the future for our community and our country in light of the election results.

BALIF is sponsoring events that address both aspects of the season - our annual holiday party on December 14, 2016 and a facilitated discussion about recent events on December 8, 2016.
Our annual holiday party will be fabulous, bringing together old and new friends to celebrate.  Be sure to RSVP and come on December 14, 2016, 6-9 pm at Devil's Acre. It is important to join together and celebrate, and I hope to see you then.

The inspiration of BALIF Co-Chair Jessica Bogo, BALIF's facilitated discussion of recent events will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:30-8:30 at Morrison & Foerster.  This discussion will provide a safe and supportive venue to discuss participants' anxiety or other emotions about the election and other recent events, and will likely explore ways to address anticipated future issues.  The discussion may include brainstorming about to protect our community's hard-fought rights and how to be supportive allies to other communities in this seemingly hostile climate.  Please RSVP and attend if you are able.   

As I near the end of my 6th year on the BALIF board, and I can say with all sincerity that the people I have met and worked with through BALIF are a wonderful and thoughtful bunch who have added to my life tremendously.  I value you and all you do for our community.  Happy holidays.
 

Sincerely,
 

Jamie Dupree
BALIF Board Programs Chair
An Evening to Discuss the 
November Election
BALIF Members:

Recent events, including the November election, been difficult for many of us, not only because of the anticipated impact within the LGBT community but also because of the anticipated impact to other marginalized groups and to issues near and dear to our hearts.

In this difficult time, please join BALIF on December 8th at MoFo for an opportunity to discuss thoughts, feelings, reactions, and responses to recent events including the November election, facilitated by special guest Gillian Nathan, LCSW ( http://gilliannathan.com/).  

The discussion will be guided by the priorities of those who attend and may include the following:
  • How to process our own grief/response to the November election.
  • How to be a strong ally for others.
  • How to be supportive within our own communities (LGBT, lawyers, left-leaning, etc.).
  • How to have conversations with those with values different from our own (especially with the holidays coming up).

Event at a Glance:
What: An Evening to Discuss Recent Events

Who: BALIF members and guests, facilitated by Gillian Nathan, LCSW ( http://gilliannathan.com/)   

When: Thursday, December 8, 2016 
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Where: Morrison & Foerster San Francisco (425 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94105)

Details: The discussion will be guided by the priorities of those who attend and may include the following:
  • How to process our own grief/response to the November election.
  • How to be a strong ally for others.
  • How to be supportive within our own communities (LGBT, lawyers, left-leaning, etc.).
  • How to have conversations with those with values different from our own (especially with the holidays coming up).
We hope you will be able to join us!

Winter is Coming! 
Beer Bust Benefiting BALIF

BALIF's Law Student Committee will be hosting a beer bust fundraiser, Saturday, December 10 from 5pm - 8pm. Celebrate the end of finals, or come take a fun study break if you're still going through it. $10 gets you all the beer you can drink for 3 hours and goes directly back to support the BALIF Law Student community.

Bring your friends, Bring your Mentor, Bring Everyone! 
Oh, and did we mention Jello Shots!


QBarSF
456 Castro St (between 17th and 18th St.)
San Francisco, California 94114

Saturday, December 10, 2016
5:00 pm- 8:00 pm

BALIF December Partner Exchange Luncheon
When: Monday, December 12, 2016
Time:  12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: San Francisco City Club (155 Sansome, 10th Floor)
What: Gourmet buffet lunch with other partners and firm owners

Cost: $40 payable by cash or check only

BALIF has created the BALIF Partner Exchange to bring together our members that are looking to network and exchange business and ideas.  This event is exclusively for BALIF members who are partners or owners of their firm with 7 years or more of experience. 

Space is limited so only the first 11 to RSVP to  jdupree@fddcm.com may attend. 

BALIF Holiday Party 2016
Next Wednesday Please RSVP

Join us for our annual holiday party and ring in some holiday cheer!! 

When: 
December 14, 2016
6:00- 9:00 pm

Where:
Devil's Acre
256 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133


DWT 1L Diversity Scholarship
DWT is offering total of 6 scholarships to 1L students with diverse background this year!   Our online application site will be open on December 1st through January 10th.  Please click here or see the attached flyer for more information.  
 
If you have any questions, please don't  hesitate to contact us!
 
For  Seattle and Washington D.C. offices:
 
Brook Dormaier
Law Student Recruiting Manager
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 2200
Seattle, WA 98101
 
 
For Los Angeles, New York, and Portland offices:
 
Hiroko Peraza 
Diversity Outreach Recruitment Manager
1300 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400
Portland, OR 97201
Email:  hirokoperaza@dwt.com

ALRP Free 2016 MCLE Trainings
   
Creating Workplaces Free from Gender Identity Bias
  • Wednesday, December 75:30-7:00pm
  • Presented by Shawn Meerkamper, Esq. - Transgender Law Center - transgenderlawcenter.org
  • 1.5 Elimination of Bias CLE Credits
This is a  free  training open to all attorneys, paralegals, law students, and those interested in the legal field.  We hope to see you there!

All Classes take place at:
Bar Association of San Francisco
301 Battery Street, 3rd Floor, Board Room
San Francisco, CA 94111

To RSVP
Email:
mcle@alrp.org
Call: 415-701-1200 ext. 303

Future Trainings and ALRP Events:  Click Here

2017 Midwinter Meeting of the ABA Forum on Construction Law
2017 Midwinter Meeting of the ABA Forum on Construction Law  entitled "Earth, Wind, Fire and Water: Sustainable Construction in a Changing Environment" 

Where: Palm Desert, CA 
When: February 2 & 3, 2017

The Forum is pleased to announce the availability of six (6) Diversity Scholarships for the cost of registration for this program to women and minority construction lawyers, construction lawyers with disabilities, and construction lawyers from the LGBT community.  
 

Early-Bird Deadline for discounted rates is December 26, 2016 or until the block is full.

Please include the discount code  FCL17 ,  when you register for the event.

Come join us and enjoy networking, meeting new people in Palm Desert in February!

SABA-NC Upcoming Events

SABA-NC 24th Annual Gala
Friday, February 24, 2017, 6:00 - 11:00 p.m.
San Francisco Design Center (101 Henry Adams Street San Francisco, CA, 94103)
 
Save the date for SABA-NC's 24th Annual Gala! Additional details forthcoming. Please contact gala@southasianbar.org for sponsorship opportunities.

CRLA LGBT Program - 
2017 Summer Law Fellow

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is seeking a law school fellow for a 10-week summer position with CRLA's LGBT Program.  The LGBT Program addresses the intersections of race, immigration status, and poverty within the framework of advancing rural LGBT rights. The program engages in direct legal representation and other innovative forms of legal advocacy that leverage collaborations with a range of rural stakeholders.  The LGBT Program Summer Law fellow will work under the supervision of the LGBT Program Director to provide direct legal services and support litigation and other systemic advocacy.  Priority types of legal cases include petitions for U, T, and VAWA non-immigrant status, employment discrimination cases, education rights cases, and legal name and gender petitions.  The law clerk may request to be placed in any one of CRLA's office locations, and the LGBT program will strive to accommodate the law clerk's preferred location.  
 
The fellow will receive a grant in the amount of $8,800 from the California Bar Foundation.
 
Applicants must have completed their second year of law school and must have strong writing skills. Candidates must possess a passion for social justice and poverty related
issues, as well as sensitivity to working with people from diverse backgrounds. Special consideration will be given to students who have a demonstrated commitment to serving low income or disadvantaged communities. Students who speak Spanish and are familiar with LGBTQ issues are encouraged to apply.
 
Applications will be accepted through  February 28, 2017. Please submit a cover letter and resume, a list of at least three references and writing sample to:  hr@crla.org and  lcisneros@crla.org. Please write "LGBT Summer Fellow" in the subject line. CRLA will contact applicants selected for an interview.

SABA-NC Public Interest 
Fellowship Application
Applicants can apply anytime for a fellowship because they are issued on a rolling basis. They may be used for summer internships, fall semester internships, spring semester internships, and post-bar fellowships for both spring and fall graduates. Please find the application here.  Please note that applicants do not have to be of South Asian descent to apply. All applicants are welcome, and we look forward to reviewing submissions from members of your organization.  
2016-2018 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship
Interested in a fellowship?  Please consider applying for the 2016-2018 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship for African-American LGBT Civil Rights:  http://www.lambdalegal.org/about-us/jobs/all_20160916_garner-fellow
Probate Referee Program Opportunities -
from the 
Office of the State Controller Betty Yee
State Controller Betty Yee is searching for attorneys, certified public accountants, and certified  appraisers from diverse backgrounds to serve as probate referees. Our search encompasses everyone  including people of all races, genders, and LGBT status.

Probate referees are officers of the court who are appointed by the State Controller. They provide  reliable appraisals of all estate assets including businesses, securities, real estate, and personal
properties. Probate referees are not state employees; their fees are paid by the estates (trusts)  involved. For any appraisal required by law, probate referee fees are 1/10 th of one percent of the total  assets. The minimum fee is $75 plus expenses such as mileage and photos.

Qualification criteria and application information are on the Controller's website at  www.sco.ca.gov/eo_probate.html. The next probate referee examination will be held in April 2017.
People who meet all the qualifications and pass the examination may be contacted for an interview  by a panel of judges and attorneys. Controller Yee will decide whom to appoint after considering the  panel's recommendation.

Job Postings Now on BALIF Website

All job postings can be found here!  

 

BALIF membership must be current to view the job postings. Simply log into the BALIF website with your membership ID and password, and select JOBS from the menu on the left.

December 8 - An Evening to Discuss the November Election
December 10 - Beer Bust Benefiting BALIF
December 12 - BALIF Partner Exchange Luncheon
December 14 - BALIF Holiday Party
March 3, 2017 - BALIF 37th Annual Gala
Our 2016-2017 Sponsors
Partner Level

 
Counsel Level

A&P

Fenwick
HB Logo

 

Mofo
Sedgwick2
Seyfarth


Wilson

Advocate Level


Benefactor Level


Individual Sponsors

BALIF Board of Directors
Jessica Bogo & Peter Catalanotti
  
Julie Wilensky
Secretary & Amicus Chair

Mario Choi
Treasurer

Nick Clements
Judiciary Chair

Sarah Nicole Davis & 
John Unruh
Gala Co-Chairs  

 

Alex Touma
Shauna Madison

CCBA Chair

 
Stan Sarkisov
Communications Chair 

Jamie Dupree
Programs Chair

Ashley Pellouchoud & David Sims
Young Lawyers & Law Students Co-Chairs  

Daniel Faessler
Social Action Chair

Jennifer Orthwein
 
Lauren Pietsch
Lindsey Rosellini
Community Ambassador Chair  

Sam Potts & Stephan Ferris
Katie Carlson
BALIF Administrator 
Follow BALIF

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BALIF Foundation


BALIF | | info@balif.org | http://www.balif.org
P.O. Box 193383
San Francisco, CA 94119