News

The new year is in full swing and so is BALIF!  The Communications and Membership Committees have reinstated BALIF Buzz to our Newsletter to show off all the great things our members are doing, and the Membership Spotlight on our website to highlight members of our community.  If you would like to let our Newsletter readers know about the exciting things happening in your life (i.e. a new job, promotion, new baby, marriage, etc) please write us at membership@balif.org to have it included in BALIFBuzz. 

Jennifer Orthwein

Communications Chair

Happy New Year!

 

We are excited to bring BALIF law students Speed Networking and Resume Review on Thursday, January 30th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Pillsbury Winthrop in San Francisco. Please RSVP ASAP as there are limited spots available.

 

Join the Pride Law Fund for the Gay Ski Bus to Tahoe on January 25th and for its third annual Boat Cruise around the Bay on May 31st. PLF promotes legal rights for LGBT people and people living with HIV, in part, by providing fellowships to law students and new lawyers who are willing to fight for such rights.

 

The grand jewel of all BALIF events, the Annual Gala, is right around the corner on February 28th. With all the recent legal victories related to Marriage Equality, this year's theme is "Standing Proud."

 

And if you enjoy events such as the BALIF Gala, the Community Ambassador Committee might be the perfect fit for you. Among other things, Committee members attend the annual Galas and Dinners presented by fellow members of the Minority Bar Coalition.  If you are interested, please email me at communityambassador@balif.org.  

 

May 2014 bring you peace, prosperity and happiness.

 

Edward Joy

Community Ambassador Chair

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

As you sift through your holiday party invitations, there is one that you should be sure not to miss. Please join us on Wednesday, December 18, from 5:30- 9:00 pm at the Tank 18 wine bar in Soma for BALIF's annual holiday party. Please RSVP here! BALIF has planned a special event for a truly extraordinary year. In 2013, tens of thousands of Californians entered into same sex marriages that were previously prohibited. For many of our colleagues and friends, a long wait has finally ended. At this year's party, we will both celebrate tremendous advancements in the law that led to these joyous results, and honor BALIF's pro bono counsel at Munger Tolles for its devotion to both BALIF and marriage equality. I hope to see you all there.


Nickolas Kacprowski
BALIF Amicus Chair

I hope that you all had a nice and relaxing holiday with friends, family, and significant others. I had a lovely day, spending it in Miami with my partner's family stuffing my face full of Cuban-style pork and black beans (for my money, pork beats turkey any day!).

As we kick off the holiday season and the accompanying holiday parties, make sure that December 18 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. is blocked off for the best one: BALIF's annual Holiday Party, Wednesday, December 18, from 5:30- 9:00 pm at the hip Tank 18 wine bar in Soma. RSVP on the BALIF website.

Union Square resurrected the San Francisco Christmas Tree weeks ago, but for me, this week is the real kick-off to the season. I am sure many weekends were spent planning those Thanksgiving menus, reserving that turkey, or maybe trying to find a last-minute place to consume your mashed potatoes and gravy. I spent my weekend ruminating on just how many brussels sprouts one should plan on 23 people eating, and whether great offense will be taken if the sweet potato casserole evolves into roasted sweet potatoes with a bourbon maple glaze.

This week is a great time to reflect on the year and acknowledge all for which we have to be thankful. DOMA and Prop 8 were huge victories we all carry in our back pockets. We also have marriage equality in more states than ever, most recently adding Illinois to the list. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed in the U.S. Senate, the first transgender person, Amanda Simpson, has been appointed by President Obama to the administration as a senior technical advisor to the Department of Commerce, and so much more. Take a minute to reflect and be thankful. Baby steps...

As we head into the month of December, I hope you join BALIF at our Holiday Party December 18th at Tank 18. After Christmas, join BALIF at the Castro Theatre to laugh along with us at The Kinsey Sicks.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and I hope to see you soon!


Lilah Sutphen
BALIF Gala Co-Chair

BALIF Members and Friends-

I hope this finds you smiling.

Visiting Hawaii this past weekend, the press coverage of the proposed Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013 was widespread and diverse. When I see and hear other states struggling with LGBT equality issues I often wonder what I, as a San Francisco resident, can do to help.

I think I figured out one small way I can help. I can support my LGBT brothers and sisters right here in the Bay Area (and stop feeling helpless).

As attorneys and law students we are constantly asked for referrals. You all know you can search for BALIF members by name, but did you know you could search by practice area, Law Firm, or Organization?

The next time someone needs a real estate attorney or the next time someone is interviewing at a particular law firm, send them to our Member Directory to see if any BALIF members can help. Or better yet, locate an attorney in the directory that would be a good referral and reach out to them yourself before sending the referral. Strengthening our community here will help strengthen our communities in other states.

Another way you can help is to join me for a casual drink at all of the following:

1. 2013 Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Reception Thursday, November 14th at 5:30 at UC Hastings (honoring our own Chelsea Haley Nelson!)

2. BALIF/NCLR Happy Hour on November 21, 2013 at 6:00 at Pause Wine Bar.

3. BALIF's Holiday Party on December 18, 2013 at 5:30 at Tank 18.

Click on the link and click on "Add to my calendar" and you're set.


Thank you!

Peter Catalanotti
BALIF Outreach Chair

Greetings from the Programs Committee! November is finally here, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and there is much for which to be thankful for!

Please join BALIF and other local minority bar associations next Thursday, November 14th for the 2013 Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Reception at UC Hastings. Come celebrate the extraordinary contributions of this year's honorees, including BALIF's very own Chelsea HaleyNelson.

Also, mark your calendar for Thursday, November 21st for BALIF's happy hour mixer with the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The Programs and Social Committees are planning a great evening for mingling with fellow BALIF members and NCLR representatives and supporters.

We hope to see you at both events. Have a great week!

Leah Nutting
BALIF Programs Committee Chair

Greeting from the Public Relations Committee! We have been keeping busy getting the word out about all the amazing work BALIF members are doing. Last week was an exciting and busy week for BALIF. First, the Judiciary Committee held a kickoff reception for the LGBT Judges Council and Advisors Council. The LGBT Judges Council includes Bay Area active and retired judges who will serve as informal mentors to LGBT attorneys who aspire to join the bench and the Advisors Council includes senior and well-connected LGBT attorneys to build a pipeline for the bench. Several judges spoke at the reception, held at Keker & Van Nest LLP. Kudos to Andrew Vu and Elizabeth Pritzker, Judiciary Committee Co-chairs for a wonderful kickoff event and great work in increasing the LGBT presence on the bench.

The Amicus Committee was also busy, filing amicus curiae briefs Friday in the Hawaii and Nevada Ninth Circuit challenges to those states' marriage bans. A copy of the press release can be found here. Kudos to Nick Kacprowski, Amicus Committee Chair, for leading the charge.

The Social Action Committee helped beautify Glen Park Elementary Sunday and is taking a leadership role in a coalition of organizations mobilizing to help the LGBT crisis in Russia. Kudos to Social Action Committee Co-chairs Jessica Bogo and Dmitri Pikman.

The Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee led by Julie Wilensky is working with the CCBA to pursue legislation guaranteeing inmates in California access to prescribed medicines, including hormone maintenance therapy for transgender inmates. A copy of the press release can be found here.

Here on the Public Relations Committee, we are gearing up to expand our social media presence. Email PR@balif.org if you are interested in getting involved in this effort. We are also creating a directory of BALIF members who are experts in their fields to provide to our media contacts. It's a great way to get your name out there, so if you are an expert in your field and want to be included, email PR@balif.org.


Denise Bergin
Public Relations Committee Chair