Press Release: Top Judicial Gatekeeper Speaks at SABA Reception

South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (sabasc.org)

For immediate release
Contact: Gautam Dutta, Esq. (323.550.8266)

Top Judicial Gatekeeper Speaks at SABA Reception - SABA Members Urged To Join Judiciary

Los Angeles , California , Jan. 11, 2008 – An distinguished audience of attorneys learned how to become a judge, at a reception sponsored by SABA and the international law firm of Reed Smith.

Keynote speaker William Kopeny urged every lawyer to consider a career in the judiciary. Kopeny, Chair of California’s Commission on Judicial Nominations Evaluation (JNE), explained the process by which our state judges are selected. The JNE Commission evaluates whether a judicial nominee is qualified to serve on the state bench.

Lisa Kalustian, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Chief Deputy Director, spoke on behalf of California Judicial Nominations Secretary Sharon Majors-Lewis, who could not attend due to a medical emergency.

"SABA gratefully thanks Bill Kopeny for speaking to our membership on such short notice. Our members were thoroughly impressed with his steadfast commitment to judicial diversity and excellence," said SABA Judiciary Chair Ritu Manjunath. "We also thank Reed Smith and its LA Managing Partner Peter Kennedy for opening its offices to us," she added.

SABA Public Policy Chair Gautam Dutta praised Governor Schwarzenegger’s office for its assistance: "We thank Lisa Kalustian for representing the Governor at our reception. SABA looks forward to rescheduling its reception for Secretary Majors-Lewis." Dutta added, "We also wish to thank APABA, JABA, KABA, MCBA, NAPABA, PABA, SCCLA, and VABA for cosponsoring our event and making it such a tremendous success."

A number of prominent attorneys attended the reception, including 2004 SABA Trailblazer Shan Thever, JNE Commission members Ann Park and Rupa Goswami, and civil rights attorney Angela Oh.

Despite their growing numbers, only one South Asian has been appointed to the California state bench. "SABA aims to encourage more minorities to become judges in California," said SABA President Shanaira Udwadia. "Our reception was a huge step in that direction," she added.

The South Asian Bar Association of Southern California is a minority bar association dedicated to the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys. SABA-SC strives to promote the professional development of lawyers and law students, educate the community about relevant legal issues, and expand and enhance business and professional opportunities for South Asians. For more information about SABA, please visit www.sabasc.org or contact SABA President Shanaira Udwadia at 213.891.8318.

   Policy Update: US Senate Confirms The First South Asian Federal Judge - Amul R. Thapur

U.S. SENATE CONFIRMS THE FIRST SOUTH ASIAN FEDERAL JUDGE
SABAs Hail the Confirmation of Amul R. Thapar

Los Angeles, San Francisco & San Diego CA, Dec. 17, 2007 – The South Asian Bar Associations throughout California applaud the confirmation of the first South Asian federal judge: federal prosecutor Amul Thapar. Having being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 13th, Thapar will join the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

"It's a historic day for our community. We are all thrilled that Amul Thapar is the first South Asian federal judge!" said Shirish Gupta, SABA Northern California President. "Amul has been a very good friend to SABA and a role model to South Asian and Asian American lawyers throughout the country – in fact, he was a Keynote Speaker at both the 2007 NASABA and NAPABA Annual Conventions."

Thapar has led a distinguished career in law and public service. Prior to his confirmation, Thapar served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Previously, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Ohio and the District of Columbia. Thapar has also worked for the prestigious law firms of Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C., and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"We thank President Bush and the U.S. Senate for nominating and confirming Judge Thapar. We look forward to having more South Asian attorneys join the state and federal bench," said Gautam Dutta, Public Policy Chair of SABA-Southern California. "This is a proud day for South Asian attorneys and citizens alike. We applaud the U.S. Senate's decision to appoint Judge Thapar," echoed Nita Mehta, SABA-San Diego President.

For the past few months, the SABA California chapters and NASABA have been working to help secure Mr. Thapar’s confirmation via a letter writing campaign to urge their Senators to vote to confirm Mr. Thapar.

Mr. Thapar received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his law degree from the University of California. He has also taught at Georgetown University Law Center and University of Cincinnati College of Law. .

   SABA-SC Endorses Marriage Equality

SABA-SC is proud to take a stand on legal matters that affect the South Asian community and the community-at-large. Only a few decades ago, our country unjustly interfered with the South Asian community's right to immigrate and marry. Between the 1920s and 1965, South Asians were practically banned from immigrating to the US . Furthermore, until 1967 many states had the power to ban interracial marriages, including those involving South Asians. In fact, under one federal statute, US citizens who married non-citizens would automatically lose their citizenship.

In light of these facts, and in an effort to curtail discrimination and promote civil rights, recently SABA-SC joined SABA-NC, APABA-LA, and many other groups in endorsing an amicus brief that furthers a significant constitutional matter - marriage equality for all Americans. The California Supreme Court will consider this issue by early next year.

For a copy of the amicus brief, please contact Ritu Manjunath at rmanjunath@reedsmith.com.