prissilawikaq: NEWS From Centro Legal!

Oct 5, 2011 | Posted in Announcements

In this Newsletter:

~ Meet the New Fellows at Centro Legal de la Raza: Nancy Hanna & Nadia Macias

?~ Youth Law Academy Swearing-in Ceremony Report Back!?

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Nancy Hanna, Shartsis Friese LLP Public Interest Fellow.?

Centro Legal de la Raza (Centro Legal) is thrilled to introduce our newest Shartsis Friese LLP Public Interest Fellow (Shartsis Friese Fellow), Nancy Hanna.? Nancy graduated from Stanford Law School in June, where she participated in the Stanford Community Law Clinic representing clients in wage and hour claims before the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, criminal record expunctions, and eviction defense.? In addition to her work at the law clinic, Nancy also interned at a plaintiff-side employment law firm, worked on public benefits cases in the county of Los Angeles on behalf of children in the foster care system, and volunteered for Bay Area Legal Aid focusing on U Visa and VAWA immigration petitions.? Prior to entering law school, she worked? as a legal assistant to Julie Sparks, an immigration attorney in Los Angeles.? Nancy completed her undergraduate degree in Women?s Studies and Politics at Pomona College.? As our newest Shartsis Friese Fellow, Nancy will work with our housing and employment team to combat issues?like?wage theft and unlawful evictions.? Centro Legal would like to thank the law firm of Shartsis Friese LLP for supporting Centro Legal and making Nancy?s fellowship possible.??

Nadia Macias, Philip Frickey Public Interest Fellow.

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Centro Legal is pleased to announce the start of a new fellowship ? the Philip Frickey Public Interest Fellowship created in honor of the late UC Berkeley School of Law Professor Philip Frickey. The fellowship is part of an exciting new partnership between UC Berkeley School of Law and Centro Legal and was made possible by the generosity of a law school donor who is also a long-time Centro Legal supporter. As our Philip Frickey Public Interest Fellow, Nadia Macias will focus on immigration matters, including naturalization, deportation, detention, and relief for victims of violent crimes.?

Nadia was born and raised in Oakland, California. She obtained her BA from UC Berkeley, where she majored in Political Economy of Industrial Societies and minored in Spanish. As an undergraduate, she volunteered at Centro Legal?s immigration clinic. Before attending law school, Nadia worked at what was formerly the Alameda County Public Defender?s Dependency Division as a legal assistant for attorneys representing foster children. As a law student at UC Berkeley School of Law, Nadia participated in asylum and international human rights clinics. She also volunteered at Centro Legal workers? rights clinic and was involved in the La Raza Law Students Association. Nadia is excited to join the staff at Centro Legal and to work with its clients.

The Youth Law Academy?s Second Annual Swearing-in Ceremony

~ Report Back ~

Centro Legal?s Youth Law Academy?s Second Annual Swearing-In Ceremony took place in late August at Holy Names University in Oakland.? The Honorable Judge Stuart Hing helped make the event successful by welcoming the new 2011 Law Clerks with open arms. Judge Hing?spoke to the Youth Law Academy (YLA) students and their parents about his path to success and the importance of gaining financial stability.

?This year, the joyful?ceremony included an honorable mention award to Class of 2009 alumnus Christian Logan.? Christian is currently attending the College of Alameda and plans to transfer to a university where he can major in Agricultural Engineering.? Christian spoke about overcoming multiple life challenges and how the YLA continues to help him persevere in achieving his college degree.? He also spoke about his YLA summer internship with the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (ACLPP). ?Julie Twichell from ACLPP, who oversaw Christian?s project, displayed Christian?s final project: a map?charting?areas in Alameda County that have a high rate of lead, revealing that this health hazard?disproportionately impacts low-income communities. ?The night ended with a scholarship award recipient recognition?for new and returning Partners of the YLA.?