(MABA) Newsletter - Mexican American Bar Association

MABA
Artwork by Jose Ramirez
newsletter
Mexican American Bar Association
2013 Volume 9, Issue 1 | www.mabaattorneys.com
MABA is committed to the advancement of Latinos in the legal profession and
the empowerment of the Latino community through service and advocacy.
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
2
The President’s Message H H H H H H H H H
Elizabeth P. Uribe
2013 MABA President
Greetings
guests were given the opportunity to
Fellow
purchase signed prints from Lalo,
MABistas,
including his famous Sonia Sotomayor
Thank you for
themed “Lil’ Judge Lopez.” Of course, the
making our
night could not have been complete
2013
without the Latin Jazz beats of Mestizo
Installation and
who energize our crowd year after year.
Awards Gala
The installation also serves as an
such a
opportunity for our members to come
successful and
together to reunite with old friends, make
memorable event. Our "Breaking Barriers"
new ones and collectively celebrate the
theme was fitting given the climate of
accomplishments our members and our
change within our community and legal
community have achieved. The event
profession. To this end we set forth to
could not have been made possible
honor individuals who have broken
without the contributions and generous
barriers and have helped others break
support of our sponsors, including our
barriers as well. I would like to
signature sponsor, Union Bank.
2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD
MEMBERS & TRUSTEES
•••
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Elizabeth P. Uribe, President
Law Office of Elizabeth P. Uribe
Erick Solares, President-Elect
California Department of Transportation,
Gladdys J. Uribe, Vice-President
Law Office of Enrique Arevalo
Sean Andrade, Secretary
Baute & Tidus, LLP
Felipe de la Torre, Treasurer
Office of the Alternate Public Defender
Maria Ramirez, Newsletter Editor
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Cindy Panuco, Membership Director
Hadsell Stormer Keeny Richardson & Renick LLP
•••
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Alejandro Becerra
Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell
Elizabeth Alamillo
congratulate our honorees once again:
Law Office of Enrique Arevalo
District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Benito
“Breaking Barriers” theme will continue in
Juarez Attorney of the Year; Enrique
our goals and event planning throughout
Arevalo, Frank E. Muñoz Lifetime
the year. On February 28th we hosted our
Achievement Award; Mercedes Marquez,
annual Law Students/Judges/Attorney
Edward Roybal Public Service Award; the
mixer held at Loyola Law School. We had
UCLA Law Fellows Program, Justice Cruz
a GREAT turnout and a special THANK
Reynoso Community Service Award; and
YOU goes out to the Latino Judges for
Judy Perez, MABA Spirit Award. The night
attending the event and providing
started with the Grammy award winning
invaluable guidance to our law students
Mariachi Divas who serenaded us with
and attorneys. If you have not already
their beautiful music and tantalizing
done so, I encourage you to sign-up and
voices. Political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz
participate in our mentorship program
served as the night's emcee and our
See President, page 4
Miguel Duarte
Law Offices of Miguel Duarte
Juan Ramos
Law Office of Juan Ramos
Shelley Dominguez
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Pamela Villanueva
Office of the Public Defender
Humberto Guizar
Law Office of Humberto Guizar
Pete Navarro
Law Offices of Pete R. Navarro
Sergio C. Tapia
Office of the Alternate Public Defender
Araceli Campos
MALDEF
Jennifer Macias
Student Trustee
•••
Maria Torres
Executive Administrator
MAIN OFFICE
Mexican American Bar Association
of Los Angeles County
714 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Tel: 213-749-2889 • Fax: 213-749-1740
2013 MABA BOARD
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS & TRUSTEES
www.mabaattorneys.com
365days!
www.mabaattorneys.com
Fellow MABistas!
Peninsula, where we participated in a
I send you 365 thanks! For that was
symposium with members of the
the number of days you gave me the
Yucatan Supreme Court.
privilege of serving as President of this
venerable organization.
There are many stories to be told and
relationships that were forged in 2012,
It was great seeing many of you
but I am honored to have collaborated
throughout 2012. It was a banner year
with organizations such as Langston,
for MABA. I am proud of the fact that
LACBA, KABA, MCBA, APABA, JABA,
MABA was one of the first
SCCLA, the Jewish Federation of Los
organizations to not only endorse
Angeles and many more to empower
Jackie Lacey in her bid to become the
the Latino community.
I look forward to
3
another banner
year in 2013 with
Elizabeth P. Uribe at
the helm of MABA.
first woman District Attorney of Los
Angeles County, but with your support,
I look forward to another banner year
we put our money where our mouth is
in 2013 with Elizabeth P. Uribe at the
and kicked off her first fundraiser of
helm of MABA.
the general election.
2012 Legal Fair
Again, thank you for the honor of
MABA filed an Amicus Brief with
serving you.
California’s Supreme Court in support
of Sergio C. Garcia, an undocumented
Sinceramente,
law school graduate who passed the
State Bar, but has been denied a license
Rigoberto J. Arrechiga
to practice law due to his legal status.
2012 MABA President
It was followed by a joint MCLE with
LACBA. That case is still pending
before the court. MABA returned to
Mexico by way of the Yucatan
The Yucatan Supreme Court
District Attorney Jackie Lacey and
the 2012 MABA Board
Rigo Arrechiga, Jackie Lacey and Josh Groban
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
4
President
MABA PAST PRESIDENTS
Continued from page 2
and be a mentor to a law student. It is
MABistas who would like to contribute
truly important and vital that we invest in
and provide an oral history of MABA. We
our law students as they are the future of
plan to have a mixer and unveiling of the
our organization. With this in mind we
project in the Fall.
have launched our Federal Judicial
Externship program and three law
I look forward to seeing you and working
students have been selected to
with you throughout 2013. I encourage
participate in this inaugural year. Our goal
you to participate in our events,
is to ensure that we provide opportunities
committees and be active participants of
for our students and that the program
MABA. Our immediate upcoming events
grows in the years to come.
include our 5th Annual Softball
Tournament scheduled for May 4th at
The LRIS committee has also been
Whittier Narrows Park and our Spring
working aggressively to revamp and
Mixer scheduled for April 25th. Also, mark
revive our referral program. We have
your calendars and stay tuned for more
met with the California State Bar and are
details on our trip to CUBA scheduled for
working in conjunction with them to
November 2013.
ensure that our program is successful and
En Solidaridad,
beneficial for our members. Our new
website is also in the works and will be
Elizabeth P. Uribe
unveiled soon. The new website will serve
2013 MABA President
as an important tool
for our organization
and the community
ELIZABETH GIBBAR CPA
at large. We are also
MBA, CMA
working with the
UCLA Chicano
Bookkeeping by Cox
Studies Research
Center (CSRC) to
expand the MABA
Records collection.
The collection
contains
photographs,
membership records
and events
documents. We are in
need of additional
donations or loans
and are also
searching for
1RUWK6DQ)HUQDQGR%OYG6XLWH‡%XUEDQN&$
‡)$;
HOL]DEHWK#HJLEEDUFSDFRP
2012 Rigoberto J. Arrechiga
2011 Victor Acevedo
2010 Judy Perez
2009 Mario Trujillo
2008 Pete Navarro
2007 Efrain Aceves
2006 Claire Cifuentes
2005 Alan R. Diamante
2004 Edward Ortega
2003 Maribel Medina
2002 Cristina Perez-Gonzalez
2001 Luis Rodriguez
2000 James E. Blancarte
1999 Arnoldo Casillas
1998 M. Leslie Stearns
1997 Maria Villa
1996 Yvonne Flores
1995 Enrique Arevalo
1994 Martha Melendez
1993 Martha Romero
1992 Raul Granados
1991 Raul Ayala
1990 Marcia Gonzales-Kimbrough
1989 Debra Gonzales
1988 Monica Jimenez
1987 Gustavo Barcena
1986 Armando Duron
1985 Carlos Zaragoza
1984 Jaime Cervantes
1983 James E. Blancarte
1982 Honorable Carlos Moreno
1981 Esther Valadez
1980 Oscar Parra
1979 Daniel Garcia
1978 Honorable John Martinez
1977 Honorable Ben Aranda*
1976 Lawrence De Fuentes*
1975 Frank Munoz*
1974 Stanley Delnick
1973 Honorable Joseph Armijo*
1972 Ernest Gallego
1971 Honorable Victor Chavez
1970 Oscar Munguia*
1969 Lorenzo Pereyda*
1968 Manuel Aranda (resigned)
1967 Manuel Valenzuela*
1966 Martin Castillo
1965 Honorable Ray Cardenas
1964 Herman Sillas
1963 Manuel S. Martinez*
* Deceased
www.mabaattorneys.com
5
Sergio Garcia:
An Argument for Fairness
ABCs of U-Visas
By Juan Ramos, MABA Trustee
By Maria Ramirez, Newsletter Editor
As the largest Latino voluntary
application given that he is
The “U nonimmigrant visa” was
including but not limited to
local bar association in
undocumented. MABA's amicus
created in 2000 for victims of
police reports, witness
California, the Mexican
brief argues that the state's
domestic violence, sexual
statements, transcripts, and
American Bar Association of Los
interests are best served by an
assault, and specified crimes of
court documents. The
Angeles County (MABA)
attorney admissions policy that
violence and allowed these
recollections of victim witness
represents the interests of the
does not exclude State Bar
crime victims to apply for visas
advocates, district attorneys,
applications on the basis of
to remain in the United States
and any other person involved
immigrant status.
for a period of up to three years,
in the case will also be
including an opportunity to
considered.
Sergio’s parents came to this
receive legal residency. The
country when he was 17
Battered Immigrant Women
The Los Angeles County District
months old and returned to
Protection Act was aimed at
Attorney’s (LADA) Office’s policy
Mexico when he was 9 years
protecting women and children
on U-Visa Certification can be
old. Sergio and his parents came
from crimes they were
found on its website at
back to the United States when
frequently victims of. The form
www.da.lacounty.gov. The
Sergio was 17 years old. Sergio
required to apply for a U-Visa is
Office’s Bureau Directors have
Latino community, promotes the
paid his way through college
entitled “Form I-918
been designated as those
administration of justice, and
and law school. He has never
Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant
authorized to issue U-Visa
maintains the honor and dignity
received public benefits to which
Status Certification” and can be
Certifications for the District
of the profession. Included in
he is not entitled, has no
filled out by the victim or their
Attorney. Certification requests
these objectives is the
criminal record, pays his taxes
legal representative.
to the LADA will only be
advancement of Latinos in the
and serves his community.
legal profession - regardless of
Sergio is hard-working, self-
immigrant status. That is why
MABA submitted an amicus
brief in support of Sergio Garcia.
Sergio Garcia is at the doorstep
of becoming a lawyer. He
graduated from law school,
passed the bar exam and was
determined to possess good
moral character by the
Committee of Bar Examiners.
…moral
character may
not be enough
to obtain his
law license in
California…
The final step in getting his law
considered if the case was filed
The U-Visa application requires a
by the LADA and the case has
certification by law enforcement
been concluded. Victims and/or
that the victim has provided
their legal representatives
assistance in the investigation
should submit their requests to
and/or prosecution of the crime
the specific prosecutor or office
and has not refused to provide
where the case was prosecuted
information or assistance.
so that a memorandum to the
Qualifying Crime:
} Domestic violence
} Extortion
} Murder
} Rape
} Prostitution
} Perjury
} Sexual assault
} Torture
} Kidnapping
} False imprisonment
license is for the California
} Human trafficking
} Felony assault
} Manslaughter
} Obstruction of justice
} Female genitalia mutilation
} Witness tampering
} Attempt, Conspiracy, or
Solicitation of any of the above.
Supreme Court to approve his
sufficient and contributes to this
application. The issue the Court
society. In short, he is a model
The victim should include any
Bureau Director can be
is considering is whether to
"citizen." However, being a
and all relevant documentation
prepared. In making their final
approve Sergio Garcia's
See Argument, page 8
to support their application,
See Visa, page 8
MABA members Mark A. Davis,
Cristina Perez and Humberto
Gray
Rigoberto Arrechiga 2012 MABA
President and Elizabeth P. Uribe
2013 MABA President
Elizabeth P. Uribe, Yvonne & Efrain Aceves, and
Adriana & Michael Felix
53rd Annual
Installation & Gala
Judy Perez, MABA Spirit
Award recipient
Charles Claver, Vice President & Priority
Banking Manager for Union Bank
2013 MABA Board at the 53rd Anniversary
All photos taken on this page were taken by
Adrian Cid Uribe, Elizabeth P. Uribe and
former Justice Carlos Moreno
UCLA Law Fellows and Alumni
Leo Trujillo-Cox, Executive Director UCLA
Law Fellows, Cruz Reynoso Community
Service Award Recipient
MABA Mexico President Irma
Cano and Elizabeth P. Uribe
Terrie Coady, Elizabeth P. Uribe and
Adrian Cid Uribe
Cindy Panuco, Elizabeth P. Uribe and
Gladdys Uribe
D.A. Jackie Lacey and Efrain Aceves 2007 MABA President
All photos taken on this page were taken by
Enrique Arevalo, Lifetime Achievement
Award recipient and Claudia Menjivar
8
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
Visa
Continued from page 5
decision, the Bureau Director will consider the following information:
} The victim’s role in the case and the extent of the victim’s injury;
} Facts supporting the victim’s assistance to the prosecution
requests that are made during the pendency of the case. Generally,
post-conviction certification requests do not need to be turned over
to the defense in the case.
on the case;
} The victim’s criminal history and gang membership;
The following organizations provide assistance with U-Visa
} The original charges filed;
applications in Los Angeles County:
} The charges the defendant was convicted of;
} The stage of proceeding during which the conviction occurred; and
} The sentence imposed.
} Asian Pacific American Legal Center www.apalc.org
} CARECEN www.carecen-la.org
} Immigration Center for Women and Children www.icwclaw.org
Whether to grant certification is completely discretionary on the part
} Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles www.lafla.org
} Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice www.laclj.org
of the agency.
} Neighborhood Legal Services www.nls-la.org
It is important to keep in mind that the prosecution has discovery
} Southwestern Immigration Law Clinic www.swlaw.edu
obligations that may necessitate turning over U-Visa Certification
Argument
Continued from page 5
model "citizen" and being determined to
forward. Sergio's citizenship application is
The lack of a comprehensive, updated
possess good moral character may not be
still pending after 17 years. The federal
federal immigration policy has not prevented
enough to obtain his law license in
DREAM Act, introduced in 2001, has not
California from treating its citizens, including
California if immigrant status - a fact over
been passed. And the recent federal
undocumented childhood arrivals, fairly. Our
which he has had no control - is determined
executive order establishing Deferred Action
State Legislature has shown an intent to
to be a disqualifying factor.
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) does not
provide exemplary undocumented
cover Sergio since he is over 33 years old.
immigrant students opportunities beyond
Sergio committed no crime when his parents
brought him to this country as a minor,
based on the Unites States Supreme Court
decision in Plyler. In holding that
high school. In 2001, in-state tuition was
Sergio surely has
had no control over
undocumented children have a right to free
public education through high school, the
meet certain criteria. In 2011, our legislature
approved the California Dream Act, which
provides access to private and public aid for
his undocumented
court in Plyler noted that a discriminatory
burden cannot be placed on a legal
provided to undocumented immigrants that
state colleges to qualified undocumented
immigrant students based on merit and
immigrant status.
need. Now, our State Supreme Court is
characteristic over which an individual has
being asked whether it will approve the law
no control. Sergio surely has had no control
license application of model individuals that
over his undocumented immigrant status.
will contribute and enhance our profession,
Moreover, he has done all he can within his
But the DACA memo notes that children
or whether it will penalize such individuals
control to work within our country's
brought to this country lack the intent to
for a status over which they have no control.
immigration policy framework, but the lack
violate the law and that immigration laws
The answer should be clear and obvious.
of an updated comprehensive federal
are not to be blindly enforced without
immigration policy in over a quarter of a
considering individual circumstances nor
century has kept Sergio from moving
used to remove productive young people.
www.mabaattorneys.com
9
Featured Mabista
CARLOS IRIARTE REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
By: Pete Navarro
The prognosis was dire as 17-year-old Carlos
side remained paralyzed and his short term
Building in downtown Los Angeles.
Iriarte lay comatose and on life support after
memory gone for a period of time. The
An avid soccer player, runner, rock and
brain surgery. So dire that a priest was
ensuing weeks and months were
mountain climber, last summer Carlos
summoned to administer last rites. Carlos
challenging. He suffered a series of brain
reached new heights - figuratively and
was on a promising walk as a college soccer
seizures and the medications he was on
literally - by climbing Tanzania’s Mt.
player about to start his first year at UCLA,
were taking their toll on his liver.
Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain at
when while playing for a summer club team
19,340 feet. After recovering from his near
on September 17, 1989, received a fierce
The idea that Carlos was to resume his
death experience Carlos was determined to
elbow to the head that caused an epidural
undergraduate studies at UCLA, graduate
experience life to its fullest by physically
hematoma. Left paralyzed by the brain
early, enter law school and begin practicing
challenging his body’s limits. So far he has
injury, the doctors predicted that if he
law at 24, would have been unfathomable
run numerous marathons, half-marathons,
survived beyond three days he would have
to his doctors when he was struggling for
triathlons and has ascended the tallest West
extensive brain damage.
his life as a teenager at UCLA Hospital.
Coast mountains including Mt. Whitney, the
highest mountain in the contiguous United
Carlos survived the first three nights, and
Today, Carlos practices criminal law and is
States. Carlos is currently searching for his
snapped out of the coma, though his right
associated with Suite 450 of the Petroleum
next new height to reach.
MABA JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Michael M. Felix, Esq.
MABA is proud to continue to once again fulfill its
mission statement of being “committed to the
advancement of Latinos in the legal profession…”.
This year MABA is proud to have launched the “MABA
Federal Judicial Externship Program” a program where
MABA has formed relationships with three Federal
Latino Judges to choose and accept three Latino/a law
Jesse Blancarte
Teresa Gutierrez
Alex Patterson
See Program, page 10
The 3 above photos were taken by
10
$1.5 MILLION IN TOTAL
SCHOLARSHIP GIVING
SET AS GOAL FOR
MABF’S ANNUAL
SCHOLARSHIP &
AWARDS GALA
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
birthday and his 45th year on
Working without high-priced staff or
the federal bench by receiving
significant overhead, the Foundation has
the Lifetime Achievement
awarded nearly $1.3 million, primarily in
Award; Guggenheim Partners
the form of 292 scholarships to 246
LLC, which is receiving the
individual law students, plus stipends to
Community Service Award;
law graduates studying for the bar
Martha Saucedo, Executive
examination. Except for the direct costs of
Vice President of Anschutz
the Gala, over 90 cents of every dollar
Entertainment Group Inc., who is
spent is designated for scholarships.
receiving the Professional Achievement
Scholars are selected based on academic
Award; and Ruiz Foods Inc., makers of
achievement, community service,
foods bearing the El Monterrey label,
leadership, financial need, and success in
which is receiving the Latino
overcoming hardships.
Entrepreneurial Business Award.
Tables of ten are available at the following
By Christopher David Ruiz Cameron,
The mission of the Mexican American Bar
levels: Foundation Partner, including two
Foundation, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable
premium tables, plus two scholarships
The $1.5 million mark in total scholarship
corporation established by MABA lawyers
named for the sponsor and a program ad
giving is expected to be reached by the
and judges, is to enhance the diversity of
($25,000); Event Co-Sponsor, including
Mexican American Bar Foundation at this
the legal profession through education by
two premium tables, plus one scholarship
year’s twenty-second Annual Scholarship
supporting the dreams of young women
named for the sponsor and a program ad
& Awards Gala. The black-tie optional
and men of Latino heritage who are
($15,000); and Platinum ($7,500), Gold
event is set for Saturday, June 8, 2013, at
pursuing careers in the law. Most scholars
($5,000), and Silver ($3,750), each of
the elegant Millennium Biltmore Hotel in
are the daughters and sons of low-income
which includes one premium table and a
Downtown Los Angeles.
immigrants. They have overcome
program ad. As many as 500 guests are
tremendous obstacles to pursue their
expected to attend.
Gala Director
This year’s Guests of Honor include:
educations. Typically, they are the first
United States Circuit Judge Harry
members of their families to attend
Pregerson, who will celebrate his 90th
college, and of course, professional school.
For more information, including a complete list of sponsorship
opportunities, contact either Gala Director Christopher David Ruiz
Cameron at (213) 738-6749 and ccameron@swlaw.edu, or Gala
Assistant Alma Vitela at (213) 247-8283 and advitela@gmail.com. Or
visit the Foundation on the web: www.themabf.org.
Past MABA President Rigo Arrechiga, MABF Gala Director Christopher David Ruiz
Cameron, MABA President Elizabeth P. Uribe, and Trustee Juan Ramos
www.mabaattorneys.com
11
Program
The Hon. Philip S. Gutierrez selected law
Continued from page 10
student Jesse Blancarte as his extern, the
students to serve as Judicial legal externs this
Hon. Richard A. Paez selected law student
summer. The Federal Judicial Externship
Teresa Gutierrez as his extern, and the Hon. S.
program originated from the hard work of
James Otero selected Alex Paterson as his
MABA Board member Cindy Panuco, who
extern. These law students will serve during
was herself a Federal Judicial Extern. The
summer 2013.
program was launched in December of 2012
May 4
5th Annual Softball Tournament
May 23
Annual Spring Mixer
June 8
when the application process was opened to
Traditionally, Federal judicial externships are
any Latino/a law student in the United States
unpaid positions which make it difficult for
who desired to serve as a Judicial Extern for a
law students of color to apply due to financial
Federal Judge this summer. MABA received
obligations. MABA, in conjunction with the
over 35 applications from Latino/a law
Law Offices of Michael M. Felix, is proud to
students here in Los Angeles and from
be able to provide each law student with a
students as far away as New York.
stipend of $1,000 to assist them with their
expenses this summer. Prior to starting the
A committee comprised of MABA President,
Calendar of Events
Federal externship program the law students
Elizabeth Perez-Uribe, MABA President-Elect
will have extensive training to prepare them
Erick Solares, MABA Board Member Cindy
for their duties as Federal judicial externs.
Panuco, and former MABA Board member
Michael M. Felix narrowed down this list of
If you are a Judge and would like to
applications from 35 applicants to 16
participate in the MABA Judicial externship
applicants who were interviewed by the
program we ask that you email MABA at:
committee. Of those 16 applicants
mabalaco@sbcglobal.net. We look forward to
interviewed, the committee narrowed down
growing this program and providing more
the list to five applicants whose names and
Latino/a law students opportunities to excel in
applications were submitted to the three
the legal community.
Judges who personally interviewed the
applicants and made their final selections.
...working
together
with MABA.
Proudly Housing MABA’s Main Office.
Community Legal Fair
July 26
Annual Golf Tournament
August 17
Post-Conviction Defense MCLE
September 26
Fall Mixer
October 24
Annual Judges Night
October
Deadline for 2014 Board
Candidacy Intent & Statements
November
MABA Trip to Cuba
November
MABA Elections for 2014
Mexican American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
714 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA 90015