NEWSLETTER
March 2020
Engage. Empower. Elevate.
President's Message
We are springing into action!

I am excited to announce that our newly designed and refreshed website is NOW LIVE !

Our goal was to design a site that is streamlined, easy to navigate, and chock full of valuable information for our members. It more clearly sets forth who we are and what we do. More importantly, the new site provides new features that increases the value to members. One of the newest features is the Get Involved tab. Here you will find information about all types of volunteer opportunities, whether directly with Langston or in the community, including joining a committee, volunteering at law days, mentoring law students and other youth, and/or contributing time at community impact events.

I invite you to check out the new website to learn all about our 2020 Officer and Board Members, our many committees, ways to get involved, and more about the exciting events and programs we have coming up. 

To share comments or feedback, please email me at  nshaw@langstonbar.org .

Nyanza Shaw, Esq.
President, John M. Langston Bar Association
. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Nyanza Shaw will be a speaker at the UCLA Black Law Students Association's 51st Solidarity Gala on April 2, 2020. For more info and sponsorship opportunities, Click Here
ABA - Solo Small Firm and General Practice Division Diversity Fellowship Applications Are Open.

Applications Due April 3, 2020

The GPSolo Diversity Fellowship program aims to promote diversity within the Division and the ABA, while providing leadership opportunities within the Division for historically underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities. APPLY HERE
ACC-SoCal 2020 Diversity Bar Stipend/Scholarship

DEADLINE EXTENDED - DUE APRIL 8TH!

Background and Purpose: 
ACC-SoCal believes that it is incumbent upon the legal community to assist in alleviating the economic burden faced by financially-challenged minority students as each student prepares for the California Bar Exam and a future in the legal profession. To help students resolve this burden, the ACC-SoCal scholarship program pays for a limited number of California Bar Exam review courses for minority students that might have otherwise had to forgo taking such courses. A limited number of recipients will be selected from applications received from qualified students who demonstrate high moral character and financial need. 

Eligibility:
Eligibility is limited to full-time and part-time minority law students who (a) experienced financial hardship during their law school career and may have to forgo taking a bar review course if not for this program, (b) will graduate in spring 2020 or fall 2020 with a JD from an ABA-accredited law school in ACC-SoCal’s designated region (i.e., Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties), and (c) registered (including Moral Character Application submission) to take the California Bar Exam in July 2020 or February 2021.

Application Instructions and Eligibility Requirements
From the Civil Rights Committee:

On February 26, 2020, sixty-five years after 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi, Congress approved legislation designating lynching as a hate crime under federal law, punishable by up to life in prison, a fine, or both. The House bill, called the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, was introduced by Representative Bobby Rush, a Democrat from Illinois. The Senate bill, which passed unanimously last year, was introduced by Kamala Harris, Democrat of California; Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey; and Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina. The measure was approved 410 to 4 on in the House and now goes to the White House, where President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.
 
Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said passage of the anti-lynching legislation "marks a milestone in the long and protracted battle against white supremacy and racial violence in our country.'' The bill "makes clear that lynchings occupy a dark place in our country’s story and provides recognition of thousands of victims of lynching crimes,” including Emmett Till and many others, Clarke said.


To join the Civil Rights Committee , contact Chair John Matthews at civilrights@langstonbar.org
USC Announces Major Financial Aid Expansion to Benefit Low- and Middle-Income Families.

Two new policies will make a USC undergraduate education more affordable for those who most need financial assistance. Read More
Become a Langston member today!
All membership dues benefit the
Langston Scholarship Fund.
. Meet The Board:
Stephanie Awanyai
Co-Chair - Young Lawyers Committee

Stephanie is an associate in the Litigation Department at Ballard Spahr. Her experience includes handling general commercial litigation disputes, including assisting clients in employment and regulatory compliance matters. She represents financial institutions on disputes involving mortgage lending, debt collection practices, insurance, and failure of customer account controls. Stephanie enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures, reading, and long distance running. One of her goals is to run a full marathon in 2021.
Tiffany Gelott
Co-Chair - Young Lawyers Committee

Tiffany is Counsel in Greenberg Glusker's Litigation Department. Her practice focuses on litigating and counseling news, entertainment and other media clients in a wide range of matters implicating their First Amendment and intellectual property rights, including claims for defamation, libel, right of publicity, breach of contract, and copyright infringement. Tiffany also serves as Langston's Corresponding Secretary. In her spare time, Tiffany loves spinning.

If you are interested in learning more about the Young Lawyers Committee, email  younglawyers@langstonbar.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION EVENTS
A Conversation with Dr. Cornel West & Special Guests
March 27,2020
UCLA Black Law Students Association's 51st Annual Solidarity Gala
Mark Your Calendars!
May 20: Cigar Night Business Mixer 
May 30: Langston/BWL Bar Prep Workshop
June 20: Annual Langston Picnic
Temporary Judges, Los Angeles Superior Court
The Los Angeles Superior Court is recruiting for Temporary Judges. If any are looking to enhance your legal skills and support the administration of justice in Los Angeles County, becoming a Temporary Judge is for you. The Los Angeles Superior Court will be conducting a mandatory Bench Conduct and Demeanor training on May 7, 2020. MCLE credit is provided for this training and pre-paid reservations should be received no later than May 1, 2020. This training is mandatory for any qualified attorney interested in sitting in Small Claims, Traffic, Family Law, Civil Harassment, Unlawful Detainers and Civil Collections. 

 Click HERE for more info.
Temporary Law Clerk to US Magistrate Judge
The United States District Court, Central District of California, is accepting application for the position of Temporary Law Clerk to a U. S. Magistrate Judge.  

To view the announcement, please Click HERE
Healthcare Associate, Los Angeles
  Leading Los Angeles healthcare law firm seeks an associate attorney with 3+ years recent healthcare experience to focus on regulatory compliance work for healthcare and life science providers (hospital, physician groups, behavioral health providers, pharmacies, telehealth and other business entities). Knowledge of healthcare law and regulations is essential. Candidates should have experience drafting advisory memoranda, opinion letters, contracts, healthcare policies and procedures, as well as superior research, writing, communications, and negotiating skills. The ideal candidate will be a team player, eager to learn, have a keen interest in health and life sciences law, and have the ability to think critically, creatively and quickly distill complex information when guiding clients. Major law firm experience is preferred but not required. Corporate transactional experience and experience working on investigations and administrative proceedings are desirable. This is an opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by elite healthcare and life science lawyers. Must be licensed in California. Compensation and benefits will be based upon qualifications and healthcare specific experience. 

Please submit cover letter and resume in confidence to  gmartin@nelsonhardiman.com  and reference “Regulatory Associate”.
Employment Litigation Associate, Los Angeles
The Los Angeles office of Fisher Phillips seeks a senior associate with 5-7 years of employment litigation and/or class action experience. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience handling California wage-hour class action claims and PAGA cases. Qualified candidates will be comfortable taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery and pleadings, and drafting and arguing motions. Candidate must have excellent academic credentials, strong writing and analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be admitted in California. Apply HERE
The Langston Hall of Fame Gala is Langston's annual event that honors legacy members of the Langston Community and will take place in October. Event planning is underway. The Hall of Fame Committee is looking for volunteer members. 

For more info: Contact Co-Chair Margo Bouchet at HOF@langstonbar.org
The Scholarship Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with fundraising efforts for the scholarship fund. Committee members also develop the essay question and review scholarship applications. 

If you are interested in serving on the Scholarship Committee, contact Latrice Byrdsong at  scholarship@langstonbar.org
. Volunteer Lawyers Needed:
First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME) hosts Free Legal Clinics every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and is looking for Attorneys to come volunteer to provide pro bono legal services. Practice areas: Family Law, Landlord-Tenant, Real Estate, Criminal, Employment, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy/Credit, Trust/Wills/Probate, and Worker's Compensation.

To volunteer or for more info, contact Family Law Committee Chair Margo Bouchet  lawya4god@icloud.com
Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) will be holding its 39th Annual California Mock Trial Finals on March 20-22, 2020, for the first time ever in Los Angeles County.  
 
The legal community is vital to the success of the program and provides over 800 high school students from throughout California with a chance to interact with positive role models, as well as an opportunity to learn from experts in law. Over 300 judges and attorneys are needed to volunteer for this year’s competition.  Please consider volunteering your time on one or more of the dates below. All trials will be held at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. Refreshments will be provided.
 
  • Friday, March 20 — Round 1 at 5:15 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 21 — Round 2 at 8:30 a.m.
  • Saturday, March 21— Round 3 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 21— Round 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Sign-up to volunteer today
OUR MISSION
To empower leadership, advance the professional development of its membership, and promote the administration of justice in the
Black community and the community at large.