May 2017 Newsletter
President's Message
Dear IABA-SD Members and Friends:
 
We have two great events coming up this summer. We are having a summer mixer on Thursday, June 8th. In an effort to diversify our networks, we will be inviting a number of other professional organizations to the event. Details of the event will be announced very soon.

We also have our second annual IABA-YALLA Soccer Tournament coming up on July 22nd. This will be an adult co-ed tournament and it is open to all--not just attorneys. Even if you are not planning to play, this will be great event to come watch with friends, family and kids while enjoying a nice summer day in Pacific Beach! We are seeking sponsors for the tournament. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Omeed Latifi at olatifi25@gmail.com.   
            
Please contact me with any comments, suggestions or concerns. You can reach me directly at sandiego@iaba.us

Yours Truly,

Arezoo Jamshidi, IABA-SD President
MEMBER OF THE MONTH - MAY 2017
Affi Eghbaldari, Esq.
     
The Iranian American Bar Association San Diego Chapter is excited to announce Affi Eghbaldari, Esq., as its Member of the Month for May 2017. Affi currently serves as counsel in the Enforcement Division of the California Department of Business Oversight, a position she has admirably held since 2007.  Forever committed to the local San Diego community, Affi safeguards consumers against fraud and unfair business practices. Affi is a local graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas.

One of IABA's most devoted members and ardent supporters, Affi has served on IABA San Diego's board of directors since 2015, and currently acts as its liaison to IABA's national board.  While many new attorneys focus on how involvement in a professional association can engender future business opportunities, Affi has taken to heart the human side of networking events, having developed lasting friendships both in and out of the courtroom. Notably, Affi states, "Membership and participation in IABA activities have opened wonderful opportunities for networking with fellow IABA members from all areas of practice. I have met attorneys, judges and law students and have built long-term friendships, resources and referrals."

Strong-willed and solemn, Affi encourages the Iranian legal community to coalesce around one another, particularly in today's political climate. Affi took an active role in encouraging IABA to take action both professionally and socially, remarking during her efforts "I was particularly impressed by how IABA members and other Iranian-American associations united to stand against the discriminatory travel ban."

As for guidance Affi can provide to the next generation of young, hungry Iranian-American attorneys, Affi advises, "Guard your reputation. The legal community is small and the wrong step could form a lifetime of professional discomfort. Find a mentor and cultivate that relationship. Get active and involved."

Should you have the pleasure of meeting Affi at the next IABA meeting or mixer, pick her brain, as her level of commitment to her community and to the well-being of all local Iranian-Americans will surely strike a chord in your own professional and personal drive to achieve success and notoriety in the legal industry. 
Member of the Month Nominations

Every month IABA San Diego will recognize one of its members for his/her commitment to IABA San Diego and/or the Iranian-American community. The selected member's biographical information will be highlighted on IABA SD's website and in its monthly newsletter. If you would like to nominate an IABA SD member to become member of the month, please contact us at sandiego@iaba.us 
IABA SD EVENTS
IABA SUMMER MIXER
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Mark your calendar and come join us for our summer mixer on Thursday, June 8th. Details will be announced soon. 


IABA-YALLA 2ND ANNUAL
CHARITY SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, July 22, 2017
IABA SD  is preparing for its 2nd annual IABA-YALLA Charity Soccer Tournament on Saturday,  July 22, 2017 . We will be opening registration soon. Please contact Omeed Latifi regarding sponsorship opportunities at: olatifi25@gmail.com  

The proceeds of this tournament will go to YALLA, a non-profit organization that helps refugee and immigrant youth rebuild their lives with education and soccer. Mark Kabban, the founder of YALLA, was named as an International Hero by CNN Heros for founding YALLA. It is a wonderful organization and you can learn more about YALLA at  www.yallasd.org 
 
Check out the video from our last tournament  HERE

MENTORSHIP/CLERKSHIP PROGRAM
Employers, Mentors & Mentees Needed
Attorneys/Members of the Judiciary:

The San Diego Chapter of IABA launched the Mentorship Program at our General Meeting on March 16th.

We are currently seeking applicants who are interested in serving as a Mentor for the IABA Mentorship Program. The IABA Mentorship Program is designed to offer law students the opportunity to meet, network with, and learn from more senior attorneys. Mentors provide support, advice, encouragement, and even friendship to students.
  
This is an excellent opportunity to give back to your legal community, and give your mentee a sense of being connected to the larger community where they may otherwise feel lost. If you are interested in serving as mentor, please contact Bita Ashtari.
  
Also, as part of the  IABA Clerkship Program , our San Diego Chapter would like to partner with local law firms, and state/federal courts and agencies, to facilitate the placement of diversity students--particularly students from the Middle Eastern Law Student Associations (MELSA) of California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and the University of San Diego--with  clerkship positions.
  
As you know,  clerkships  play a major role in securing employment after law school.  For many students and recent grads, law  clerk  positions are the only applicable experience that color resumes when seeking employment. If you, or your place of employment, is interested in interviewing students regarding the IABA Clerkship Program, please contact Matthew Soleimanpour.
 
Students/Post-Grads:
 
If you are interested in the opportunity of taking part in the IABA Mentorship/Clerkship Programs, please contact Bita Ashtari to request Mentee Applications and submit your resumes.
 
Also, please be advised that  JOBS are posted  weekly to our  IABA LinkedIn Group , under the "Jobs" tab.
OTHER LOCAL EVENTS
SCREENING FOR
IMMIGRATION RELIEF PROJECT (SIRP)
 
The SIRP project was launched in late-February by Professor Tom Wong of the University of California San Diego and the Mexican Consulate with the purpose of providing immigration legal screening to approximately 73,000 undocumented Mexican nationals living in San Diego County. The project combines a new method of direct outreach to undocumented immigrants, an online screening tool, and data analytics to provide large-scale immigration legal screening to undocumented immigrants.
 
Professor Wong is seeking immigration specialists to assist with the SIRP project. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Professor Wong directly at tomkwong@ucsd.edu.
PERSONAL BRANDING BOOTCAMP
JULY 2017
Want to figure out how to stand out among other lawyers, create and grow a thriving practice, reduce your stress, increase creativity in your marketing and practice AND be happier professionally and personally? Come experience the one-month immersion version of our traditional 7-month Branding Bootcamp. Taught by branding expert and founder, Katy Goshtasbi, a securities lawyer for 14 years.  

Saturday July 8, 2017: 9am-1pm 
Two weeks off to integrate and apply all the learning
Saturday July 29, 2017: 9am-1pm

Please call or email Katy@purispersonalbranding.com for pricing and registration information.


STAY CONNECTED and FOLLOW US ON:

Iranian American Bar Association, San Diego Chapter - Board of Directors

Arezoo Jamshidi - President
Bita Ashtari - Vice President
Ardalan Hosseinpour - Communications Director
Saman Nasseri - Social Events Director 
Matthew Soleimanpour - Director of Community Enhancement & Opportunity
Haleh Razzaghi - Membership/MCLE Director
Omeed Latifi - Community Outreach/Pro Bono Director
Affi Eghbaldari - S an Diego Representative to the National Board
Roseline Feral - Legal Task Force Director
Tina Malek - Legal Task Force Director
Mikhak Ghorban - Legal Task Force Director 
 
Learn more about the New 2017 Board by visiting our San Diego Chapter website.