SABA GREATER BOSTON

SABA Greater Boston is a bar association serving primarily South Asian attorneys and law students in Boston and its suburbs and surrounding counties.

SABA GB Summer Membership Drive

The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston’s (“SABA GB”) Summer membership drive is now underway! As you know, SABA GB is the local chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”), the umbrella organization for SABA groups throughout the United States and Canada.

We are proud to report that we now have over 200 attorneys and law students on our roster! So far in 2008, we have hosted a number of very successful substantive and networking events, which have served our members, from providing forums for learning with experts on various current topics, to creating job and networking opportunities and helping to establish and build valuable client relationships. This year, SABA GB plans to introduce several "Members Only" benefits and initiatives, including discounted rates for event admission, participation in SABA GB’s referral network, and a night at Fenway to support the Red Sox!

In addition, we are excited to announce that SABA GB was recently deemed an official “affiliated bar association” of the Massachusetts Bar Association (“MBA”). As a result of this relationship, we are pleased to offer yet another benefit to our members: a significant discount on MBA membership if you are or become a member of SABA GB! If you are a SABA GB member or become a SABA GB member now, you can also become a member of the MBA at a substantially discounted rate. Please see the enclosed application for details and exact membership fees.

Similarly, once you are a SABA GB member, you may also take advantage of a discounted rate to join the Boston Bar Association (“BBA”). For additional details regarding membership, please visit the Boston Bar Association’s website at: www.bostonbar.org.

In order to continue to bring quality programs and services to the communities we serve, SABA GB relies almost exclusively on membership dues. We need your help in keeping your membership dues up to date and allowing SABA GB to continue to grow and thrive. We operate on a calendar year, so for membership that begins in June and lasts for the remainder of 2008, please send us half of the applicable dues listed on the enclosed SABA GB membership form. In November of 2008, SABA GB will welcome the leaders of our national organization to Boston for a retreat, so join now and gain access to events that will give you the opportunity to network with the national leaders in the South Asian legal community. Paid membership to SABA GB board will also give you the opportunity to be a leader in our community as only paid members are eligible to run for SABA GB board positions and to vote in our annual SABA GB election.

Please complete the enclosed SABA GB Membership Application and forward it with your membership dues to SABA Greater Boston, c/o Natasha Varyani, McCarter & English, 265 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110. If you would also like to sign up for membership with the MBA now, and take advantage of the substantial discount, please also complete the MBA application form and forward it, along with your dues, to the MBA.

The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston invites you to join us for our 2008 Summer Associate Networking Event at:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

FELT

533 Washington Street, Boston, MA
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Get to know the growing community of South Asian lawyers in Boston as well as other summer associates of color across the city. We'll provide the appetizers and a private space away from the crowds to enjoy the food, fun, and conversation.

We hope you can join us! Please RSVP to Shahzia Rahman or Lalitha Gunturi.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about SABA GB, feel free to visit our website: www.sabagb.org

June 9, 2008

DOR Commissioner Navjeet K. Bal Awarded NASABA 2008 Cornerstone Award

The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”), a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”), congratulates Commissioner Navjeet K. Bal on her recent nomination and award of a 2008 NASABA Cornerstone Award. Commissioner Bal will receive her award in person at the 2008 NASABA annual convention to be held this year in Chicago, Illinois June 27-29, 2008 www.nasabaconvention.org

The Cornerstone Award is granted to individuals who, among other attributes, “serv[e] the legal interests of the South Asian community and the community at large [and] encourag[e] greater participation by the South Asian community in the legal profession and the government.” The other NASABA 2008 Cornerstone awardees are: Navneet Chugh, Esq., founder of NASABA; Steven Mayo, Esq., Executive Director of the Institute for the Study and Development of Legal Systems; the Hon. Rena Marie Van Tine, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; and Emilie Ninan, Esq., President of the South Asian Bar Association of Delaware and partner at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP.

In February of this year, Commissioner Bal was appointed by Governor Patrick’s administration to lead the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Commissioner Bal’s position is among the highest held by a South Asian in Massachusetts state government. Prior to becoming Commissioner, Ms. Bal worked for the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo from September 1989 until April 2007, specializing in public finance, state disclosure issues, state and federal tax law and structured financial transactions. Ms. Bal founded Mintz Levin’s Domestic Violence Project in 1990, is a board member and former chairperson of the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center in Boston, and served from 2003-2005 on the executive committee for the statewide planning committee on delivery of legal services chaired by retired Chief Justice Herbert Wilkins, a group which worked to reorganize the delivery of legal services in Massachusetts.

“It is a particularly proud moment for Boston’s South Asian legal community,” commented Natasha Varyani, Vice President of the SABA GB. “Considering Commissioner Bal’s long-time commitment to public service and all that she has accomplished thus far, it is difficult to imagine a more fitting recipient for this award.”

Commissioner Bal’s recent appointment and receipt of this award exemplify the strides being made by South Asians in the legal community. For its part, SABA GB will continue to support the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions by providing mentoring and networking opportunities among its members and other affinity communities. For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com. For more information on, or to register for the upcoming NASABA convention, please visit www.nasabaconvention.org.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Pioneering Women of Color

The Women of Color Committee of the Women’s Bar Association presents a panel discussion with pioneering women color.

Day Pitney, One International Place, 17th floor, Boston, MA
Reception: 5:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: 6:00 p.m.

Panelists:

Ruth Ellen Fitch, President and CEO, Dimock Health Center
Paola Ferrer, Director of Basic Needs in Community Impact, United Way
Linda Dalby, Partner, Day Pitney
Debra Shopteese, Committee for Public Counsel Services

Moderator:

E. Abim Thomas, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the Governor

RSVP: www.womensbar.org or call 617-976-6666

June 26-29, 2008

Fifth Annual NASABA Convention: Reaching New Heights

Chicago, Illinois

The North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) will hold the Fifth Annual NASABA Convention themed “Reaching New Heights” on June 26th – June 29th in Chicago, Illinois. The Convention will be hosted by the Indian-American Bar Association of Chicago (IABA-Chicago) and the Pakistani American Bar Association of North America (PABANA). NASABA anticipates attendance by over 800 attorneys and legal professionals.

For details about the Convention and registration information please visit: www.nasabaconvention.org