
August 13, 2009
Annapoorni
R. Sankaran Selected as one of Boston Business Journal’s
40 Under 40
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston ("SABA GB"), a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association ("NASABA"), proudly congratulates
SABA GB past President,Annapoorni R. Sankaran, for being selected
one of Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”
honorees in 2009.
Each year, the Boston Business Journal selects
40 business professionals under the age of 40 that it considers
to be part of the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
This highly
competitive award recognizes outstanding Boston-area professionals
for their business success and contributions to the community.
Ms. Sankaran will be honored at a reception to be held on October
1st.
As a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP,
Ms. Sankaran has established herself not only as an outstanding
lawyer, but as a leader in improving diversity in the legal
profession. As the President of SABA GB from 2004-2007 and currently
the President-Elect of NASABA, Ms. Sankaran is an active mentor
to countless minority attorneys. She has made a tangible impact
on diversity in the legal profession in Boston and around the
United States.
In addition to her work with bar associations,
Ms. Sankaran served as the co-chair of the New England chapter
of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring
Confederation, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering
women in the insolvency professions. Ms. Sankaran also serves
on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts
Local Rules Committee. There, she works with bankruptcy judges
and other bankruptcy attorneys to comment, draft and revise
local bankruptcy procedural rules in accordance with the needs
of the Court, practitioners, technology and changes in federal
law.
In 2009, Ms. Sankaran received the Thirteenth
Annual Rosoff Mentor Award in recognition of the impact she
has made serving as a mentor in advancing diversity in the workplace
and a Citation from Governor Deval Patrick in recognition for
her commitment to diversity in the Commonwealth.
In 2008, Ms. Sankaran was also awarded the first Annapoorni
R. Sankaran Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service,
an award named in her honor by SABA GB and that will be awarded
each year to the one SABA GB member who exemplifies her leadership
characteristics going forward.
SABA GB is a non-profit organization and a
chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association. SABA
GB strives to work with other bar associations, governmental
agencies and community groups to achieve greater involvement
and understanding of the American legal system by the South
Asian community. For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
June 1, 2009
Saba
Gb And Affinity Bar Associations Confront Diversity Issues During
Challenging Times
On May 19, 2009, the South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”) joined other affinity
bar associations in continuing the dialogue from last year’s
well-received panel discussion entitled “Let's Get Real
About Diversity.” Affinity bar organizations co-hosted
this second annual event entitled “Moving Diversity Forward
in the Face of Economic Challenges” to discuss of the
relevance of diversity during the current financial crisis and
the measures can be taken to push the diversity agenda forward
during challenging times. With nearly 100 attendees, the event
was spearheaded by the South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”), and organized by the Asian American
Lawyers Association of Massachusetts (“AALAM”),
the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association (“MLGBA”),
the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (“MBLA”),
and the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (“MAHA”).
The event took place at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, which
hosted a reception during which attendees had an opportunity
to continue the discussion with the panelists and each other.
Panelists included Aloke Chakravarty, Assistant
U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, Anti-Terrorism and National
Security Unit; Geoffrey Why, General Counsel of the Department
of Telecommunications & Cable; Robert Cooper, Vice President/Senior
Counsel of OneUnited Bank; Carlos Perez-Albuerne, Partner at
Choate, Hall & Stewart; and Bernadette Harrigan, Assistant
Vice President & Counsel with Mass Mutual Financial Group.
The event was moderated by Taruna Garg, an associate of Murtha
Cullina LLP and Clerk of SABA GB. Ms. Garg invited the panelists
to weigh in on how their diverse backgrounds contributed to
their professional success and the ways in which minority attorneys
can best position themselves to succeed in today’s turbulent
economy.
The evening sparked a spirited discussion about
the importance of diversity in the profession, as well as whether
private and public sector employers pay only lip service to
diversity initiatives in this tough economic climate.
“The attendance and enthusiasm for this
event demonstrated the commitment of the legal community as
a whole towards improving diversity within the legal profession.
SABA GB hopes to continue its efforts at bringing together members
of the legal community to discuss sensitive issues in an open
and candid way,” said Samia Kirmani, President of SABA
GB.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association and is an organization dedicated
to supporting and promoting the advancement of attorneys and
law students of South Asian heritage and serving the legal needs
of the South Asian community at large. For additional information
please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
May 27, 2009
SABA-GB
Announces its Legal Intern Fellows for Summer 2009
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”) is proud to announce the selection
of its inaugural SABA GB Legal Intern Fellows, Heeral Patel
and Saroj Tharisayi. SABA GB’s Legal Intern Fellowship
Program provides funding to qualified law students who work
in otherwise unpaid legal positions at non-profit organizations.
Each Legal Intern Fellow will receive a $4,000 stipend. SABA
GB selected the two 2009 Fellows based on a combination of academic
performance, demonstrated community commitment, recommendations
from professors and employers, and the quality of essays written
in connection with their application.
Ms. Patel, a first year law student at Boston
College School of Law and a 2006 graduate of the University
of Michigan, will be working with the Volunteer Lawyers for
the Arts of Massachusetts for the summer. Ms. Patel’s
passion for dance and the arts led her to secure this position,
where she will be exposed to a wide range of issues concerning
the arts community including those related to copyright, trademark
and licensing.
Ms. Tharisayi, a first year law student at
Cornell Law School and a 2004 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University,
will be working in the Housing Unit of Greater Boston Legal
Services this summer. There, she will be researching, writing
motions and advocating for low-income clients who are in danger
of becoming homeless. Ms. Tharisayi will bring to her internship
the experience she gained working for a year as an AmeriCorps
volunteer, where she brought her love of computers to the classroom
as a computer teacher and technology analyst in an after-school
program.
“We are pleased that this year we are
able to fulfill SABA GB’s long-term goal of offering a
Fellowship Program to support our law student members,”
said SABA GB President, Samia Kirmani. Shahzia Rahman, SABA
GB Board Member who spearheaded the establishment of the Fellowship
Program added that “SABA GB is very proud of this year’s
Fellows. Not only do these students exemplify academic excellence
and a real commitment to community service, but they are also
truly representative of the diverse interests and perspectives
within both the South Asian community and the broader legal
community. We look forward to hearing about their experiences
and accomplishments this summer.”
About SABA GB
Founded in 2004, SABA GB is a national, non-profit
organization and the local chapter of the North American South
Asian Bar Association. SABA GB supports and promotes the advancement
of attorneys and law students of South Asian heritage and looks
to serve the legal needs of the South Asian community at large.
May 13, 2009
Annapoorni
R. Sankaran to Lead the North American South Asian Bar Association
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston ("SABA GB"), a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association ("NASABA"), proudly congratulates
SABA GB Past President, Annapoorni R. Sankaran, on her election
as President-Elect of NASABA. Ms. Sankaran will assume the role
of NASABA President in July 2010, at the annual NASABA Convention
that will be held in Boston, Massachusetts.
Over the past two years, Ms. Sankaran has held
prominent roles on NASABA’s Executive Committee as the
Vice President of Organizational Memberships and Vice President
of Public Relations. In these roles, she interacted with local
chapters and learned about the unique needs and interests of
each chapter, both young and established.
Under her leadership, Ms. Sankaran hopes to
strengthen the connection between NASABA, its member chapters
and the individual membership. In addition, she promises to
work towards achieving better penetration and recognition of
NASABA in both the legal and South Asian communities. “If
NASABA wants to inspire the chapters and individuals to get
and stay actively involved, it must work to increase the value
of NASABA in concrete and truly responsive ways,” says
Ms. Sankaran.
Ms. Sankaran’s victory exemplifies the
strides and impact being made by Massachusetts attorneys on
a national level. Ms. Sankaran served as SABA GB President from
2004 through 2007. Ms. Sankaran has been instrumental in the
organization’s growth and development. In recognition
of her unparalleled contributions to SABA GB during her tenure
on the Board, Ms. Sankaran was presented with “The Annapoorni
Sankaran Award for Excellence in Leadership and Dedication to
Service,” an enduring award created in her name to be
given each year to the board member who most embodies Ms. Sankaran’s
legacy. Recently, Mr. Sankaran was also presented with the Ad
Club 2009 Rosoff Mentor Award for her leadership and impact
in serving as a mentor to others to create meaningful change
and advance diversity in the workplace, as well as a citation
from Governor Deval L. Patrick for her commitment to diversity
in the Commonwealth.
"This is well deserved and we are so fortunate
that Anna will be at NASABA’s helm,” commented Samia
Kirmani, President of the SABA GB. "Her leadership of NASABA
will be marked by the excellence and hard work that has characterized
her service to NASABA and SABA GB to date."
“I am especially fortunate that I will
be taking the post of President right after the NASABA Convention
in 2010 which will take place in my home city of Boston,”
commented Ms. Sankaran. “I am excited to see SABA GB get
the recognition it deserves on a national stage!”
SABA GB is a national, non-profit organization
and a chapter of NASABA. SABA GB strives to work with other
bar associations, governmental agencies and community groups
to achieve greater involvement and understanding of the American
legal system by the South Asian community. For additional information
please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
May 1, 2009
The South
Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston Congratulates Anita
P. Sharma, Taruna Garg, Aloke Chakravarty, and Annapoorni R.
Sankaran on their Recent Awards
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston ("SABA GB"), a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association ("NASABA"), congratulates
the following recipients of awards: Annapoorni R. Sankaran,
recipient of an Ad Club 2009 Rosoff Mentor Award; Assistant
United States Attorney Aloke Chakravarty, recipient of the 2009
Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) Access to Justice Prosecutor
Award; and Anita P. Sharma and Taruna Garg, each a recipient
of a Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW)
2009 Unsung Heroine Award. Ms. Sankaran was recognized at an
Ad Club reception on March 23, 2009 and Mr. Chakravarty will
be recognized an MBA reception on May 7, 2009. Ms. Sharma and
Ms. Garg will each be recognized at an MSCW reception on May
13, 2009.
The Rosoff Mentor Award is awarded to individuals
who have made an impact by serving as a mentor to others to
create meaningful change and advance diversity in the workplace.
Ms. Sankaran, a shareholder of the law firm Greenberg Traurig
LLP, has been a mentor to countless minority attorneys and has
made a tangible impact by not only promoting diversity, but
working to strengthen the foundation of the South Asian legal
community.
The Access to Justice Prosecutor Award is presented
to the state or federal prosecutor who "has distinguished
himself or herself in public service and whose commitment to
justice and serving the communities where he or she lives or
works is particularly praiseworthy." Mr. Chakravarty, Assistant
United States Attorney in the Anti-Terrorism and National Security
Section in the District of Massachusetts, has dedicated his
career to public service and has steadfastly believed that it
is critical for minority communities to be involved in the legal
process, and in particular, law enforcement.
The Unsung Heroine Award is granted to "women
who quietly, without fanfare or recognition, make their communities
and the Commonwealth better places." Ms. Sharma, an Asylum
Attorney at the PAIR Project, helps provide pro bono legal services
to low-income asylum-seekers and uses her position, experience,
drive, and skills to serve the immigrant community both in and
out of the workplace. Ms. Garg, a Senior Associate at Murtha
Cullina LLP, has given back to the local community in countless
ways by actively participating in numerous South Asian and legal
organizations and by lending her time to volunteer activities
that help individuals who most need assistance gain confidence
and skills that will help them with their futures.
"We were very proud to learn that so many
of our members had been selected for these awards," commented
Samia Kirmani, President of the SABA GB. "These recognitions
exemplify the strides and impact being made by South Asians
in the legal community. SABA GB extends its heartfelt congratulations
to all award recipients."
SABA GB is a national, non-profit organization
and a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association.
SABA GB strives to work with other bar associations, governmental
agencies and community groups to achieve greater involvement
and understanding of the American legal system by the South
Asian community. For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
February 26, 2009, Boston
On Friday, February 20, 2009, the South Asian
Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”) held
its 2009 Kickoff Event at the Taj Hotel in Boston. The evening
was co-hosted by the Network of South Asian Professionals (“NetSAP-Boston”)
and the Indian Medical Association of New England (“IMANE”),
giving members of SABA GB, NetSAP-Boston and IMANE an occasion
to network and mingle. Featuring the theme of Bollywood Nights,
over 350 guests dined on Taj Chef Prabeen Prathapan’s
Indian specialties and danced to the music of DJ Bunty.
“This was the first year that SABA GB partnered with NetSAP-Boston
and IMANE in hosting such a grand affair,” commented Anjali
Chitre, a SABA GB Board Member and coordinator of the 2009 Kickoff
Event on behalf of SABA GB. “The event offered our members
a chance to meet South Asian professionals in the area and provided
an opportunity for non-members to register and get involved
with the hosting organizations.”
“The event was an enormous success. We are always looking
for ways to work with other South Asian professional and community
organizations,” said SABA GB President, Samia Kirmani.
“The Taj’s Bollywood Nights party presented a unique
opportunity for SABA GB members to meet and build relationship
with members of NetSAP-Boston and IMANE in an elegant setting.
We will nurture the relationships made through joint events
like this one so that we can work together in furthering our
organizations’ missions and strengthening Boston’s
South Asian community.”
SABA GB is a national, non-profit organization and a chapter
of the North American South Asian Bar Association. As part of
its mission, SABA GB strives to work with other bar associations,
governmental agencies and community groups to achieve greater
involvement and understanding of the American legal system by
the South Asian community.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
December 19, 2008
On December 4, 2008, the South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”) held its 2008 Year-End
Awards Dinner, an annual event to recognize the achievements
of the past year and honor the SABA GB member and board member
who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization.
This year’s dinner commenced with opening remarks from
SABA GB President, Samia Kirmani, who invited the audience to
share a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist
attacks in Mumbai.
Ms. Kirmani recounted SABA GB’s many successes of the
past year, including a reception to honor the appointments of
Navjeet K. Bal and Sunila Thomas-George as the Commonwealth’s
first South Asian Commissioners of the Department of Revenue
and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the first
diversity panel discussion co-sponsored by all affinity bar
associations and several mentorship events which paired South
Asian attorneys with students from local law schools. Most prominently,
Mr. Kirmani celebrated SABA GB’s remarkable success in
hosting the annual leadership retreat for the North American
South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”), which resulted
in SABA GB winning the bid to host the 2010 National Convention,
an event that attracts South Asian attorneys from all across
the country.
Manisha Bhatt, last year’s recipient of both Member of
the Year and Board Member of the Year awards, presented the
award for Board Member of the Year to Dhara S. Khanna, the co-chair
of the South Asian Community Relations Committee. Ms. Bhatt
applauded Ms. Khanna’s contributions in collaborating
with local South Asian community groups and organizing the “Be
the Change” event for the Boston area, a national day
of community service hosted by = South Asian Americans Leading
Together (“SAALT”) across the country in honor of
Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of service. The Member of Year
Award was given to Aloke Chakravarty, an Assistant U.S. Attorney
in the Anti-Terrorism and National Security unit. Mr. Chakravarty
was described as a “hero” for his involvement in
bringing together law enforcement officials with members of
the South Asian community in a cooperative forum to discuss
critical legal issues relating to counterterrorism and the protection
of civil liberties.
This year’s dinner also featured a special award to honor
Past President, Annapoorni Sankaran, who served as SABA GB’s
President from 2004 through 2007. In recognition of her unparalleled
contributions to SABA GB during her tenure on the Board, Ms.
Sankaran was presented with “The Annapoorni Sankaran Award
for Excellence in Leadership and Dedication to Service,”
an enduring award created in her name to be given each year
to the board member who most embodies Ms. Sankaran’s legacy.
“Anna not only created the machine that is SABA, she honed
it so that it virtually hums along,” said an emotional
Ms. Kirmani in describing Ms. Sankaran’s contributions.
“She thoughtfully and carefully organized the Board so
that roles are defined, Board members are empowered and the
work gets done collaboratively…[Anna] represented SABA
GB to the legal community in Massachusetts so that people come
to us to have us represent on advisory boards, task forces and
at legal community events.”
The evening’s keynote speaker was Warren
Tolman, a former State Senator and first Clean Elections candidate
for Governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Tolman acknowledged the significant
strides made by the South Asian community in legal and political
arenas and encouraged continued involvement and engagement in
government processes to ensure that the community receives “a
seat at the table” when it comes to issues that impact
the community.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association.
As part of its mission, SABA GB continues to support and encourage
the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions within
the legal community and the community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
December 10, 2008
SABA GB President Tapped to Serve on MCLE Employment &
Labor Law Advisory Committee
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”) congratulates its President,
Samia Kirmani, who was recently invited to serve on MCLE's Employment
& Labor Law Advisory Committee. Ms. Kirmani will serve on
the Advisory Committee for one year. “Only well regarded
labor and employment practitioners with significant experience
are considered for this position so this is a great honor,”
says Annapoorni Sankaran, past president of SABA GB and a shareholder
at Greenberg Traurig.
In addition to her role on the MCLE Employment
& Labor Law Advisory Committee, Ms. Kirmani has an impressive
record of service within the legal community. Ms. Kirmani is
a member of the Labor and Employment Section of the Boston Bar
Association, and a member of the National South Asian Bar Association,
as well as the Pakistan Association of Greater Boston. Ms. Kirmani
was also recently elevated as a partner at Jackson Lewis, LLP
specializing in labor and employment matters.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association. As part of its mission, SABA GB
continues to support and encourage the advancement of South
Asians to leadership positions within the legal community and
the community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Natasha Varyani, Vice-President, South Asian Bar
Association of Greater Boston, at nvaryani@mccarter.com.
October 21, 2008
SABA
GB and Saalt Celebrate National Day of Service
On October 4, 2008, over 130 volunteers in
Boston spent the day giving back to the community as part of
a national day of service known as “Be the Change.”
The day of service was co-sponsored by South Asian Americans
Leading Together (“SAALT”) and the South Asian Bar
Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”).
“Be the Change,” a concept originated
at the University of Michigan campus in 1997 to commemorate
Mahatma Gandhi’s message of community action, has since
become a national event spearheaded by SAALT. SAALT is a national,
non-profit organization dedicated to fostering full and equal
participation by South Asians in American civic and political
life. The event, occurring each year around Gandhi’s birthday,
offers an opportunity for community members to take actions
that reflect Gandhi’s widely recognized message to “Be
the change that you wish to see in the world.”
The day began with a kick-off event featuring
keynote speaker, Navjeet K. Bal, Commissioner of the Department
of Revenue in Massachusetts. Volunteers then participated in
service activities around Boston, such as leading patient activities
at The Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, volunteering at the
Rose Kennedy Greenway Inaugural celebration, and helping The
Massachusetts Audubon Society and The Emerald Necklace Conservancy
with their conservation efforts of the Charles River and local
parks.
This was the first year that SABA GB joined
SAALT in hosting “Be the Change” in Boston. “SABA
GB is proud to collaborate with SAALT in organizing and hosting
Be the Change,” commented Dhara Sharma, a SABA GB Board
Member and co-coordinator of “Be the Change” on
behalf of SABA GB. “The event offers our members the opportunity
to join other South Asians in serving the local community and
raising awareness of issues that directly impact our area.”
Boston’s “Be the Change” event was also coordinated
by Punam Singh Rogers of SABA GB and Vinod Nambudiri of the
Boston chapter of SAALT.
Nationally, over 2000 volunteers participated
in “Be the Change” events in Atlanta, Boston, the
Bay Area, New York City, and Washington D.C., as well in over
40 other cities and campuses.
SABA GB is a national, non-profit organization
and a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association.
As part of its mission, SABA GB continues to support and encourage
the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions within
the legal community and the community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com
September 18, 2008
SABA
GB Board Member Elected As Co-Chair Of Massachusetts Bar Association
Committee
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”) is pleased to announce the appointment
of its Board Member, Neil Sherring, as Co-Chair of the Massachusetts
Bar Association’s (“MBA”) General Practice,
Solo and Small Firm Division. The Division was formed by the
MBA to keep its members current on developments and trends affecting
solo and small firm practitioners.
As the managing partner of Dakoyannis &
Sherring in Westwood, Sherring focuses his practice in the areas
of civil and business litigation and also represents multinational
clients in international business and financial disputes. Prior
to founding his own practice, Sherring clerked for the Massachusetts
Superior Court, and served as both an assistant district attorney
and an assistant attorney general. Sherring has served as a
member of the Hate Crimes Task Force for the Attorney General
of Massachusetts and co-founded the South Asian Domestic Violence
Task Force.
Referring to Sherring’s recent appointment,
Manisha Bhatt, a Board Member of SABA GB and Co-Chair of its
Legal Relations Committee, commented, “SABA GB is pleased
to see its members being recognized for their achievements in
the legal community. We look forward to seeing more South Asian
attorneys becoming involved in leadership positions within the
legal community.”
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association.
As part of its mission, SABA GB continues to support and encourage
the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions within
the legal community and the community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
Sunday, August 22, 2008
On Sunday, August 17, 2008, the South Asian
Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”) celebrated
the independence of India and Pakistan by holding voter registration
drives at both the India Day and Pakistan Day celebrations held
in New England. India Day 2008, organized by the Indian Association
of Greater Boston, was at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade and
the Pakistan Day celebrations took place at Colt State Park
in Rhode Island organized by the Pakistan Association of Greater
Boston.
In an effort to encourage the South Asian community to participate
in the American political process and to make voter registration
easy and accessible, SABA GB set up tables at each of the events
making the forms available, offering assistance in completing
the forms and mailing them to relevant town authorities. Registration
was greater than anticipated, with many registrants eager to
participate in the upcoming national election. “SABA GB’s
voter registration event is one of my favorites of the year.”
commented Natasha Varyani, Vice President of SABA GB. “It
is important that our community be represented in the political
process. The first step is to make sure our community is registered
to vote.”
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association.
As part of its mission, SABA GB continues to support and encourage
the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions within
the legal community and the community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
July 31, 2008
SABA
GB Honors Attorney Finalists For 2008 Woman of the Year Award
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA
GB”) congratulates four New England attorneys for being
named finalists for India New England’s 2008 Woman of
the Year Award. Krishna Patel, Navjeet K. Bal, Sunila Thomas-George
and Manisha Bhatt were among the 20 finalists for the award.
Ultimately, Ms. Patel was selected as the 2008 Woman of the
Year for her exemplary work prosecuting sex crimes against children.
Ms. Patel is an Assistant United States Attorney
in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is coordinator of Federal Project
Safe Neighborhood. As part of that program, Ms. Patel has prosecuted
sexual predators for crimes involving pornography, sex with
minors and sex trafficking. In addition, as co-chair of the
Smuggling and Trafficking of Persons Investigative Task Force
(“STOP IT”), Ms. Patel’s work extends to fighting
human trafficking.
Ms. Bal is the newly minted Commissioner of
Revenue for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She was appointed
to that position by Governor Deval Patrick in February, 2008,
and her position is among the highest held by a South Asian
in Massachusetts state government. Ms. Bal previously worked
at the Boston law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris & Popeo
for seventeen years.
Ms. Thomas-George was recently appointed a
Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
(“MCAD”) and is the first South Asian to hold that
position. Ms. Thomas-George has worked with the MCAD for over
a decade and, prior to being appointed Commissioner, she served
as the Acting Director of Enforcement at the agency. Her position
is among the highest held by a South Asian in Massachusetts
state government.
Ms. Bhatt is a Senior Attorney at Greater Boston
Legal Services (“GBLS”), an organization that provides
free legal services to low-income individuals in and around
Boston and throughout Massachusetts. At GBLS, Ms. Bhatt is a
member of the Family Law Unit, which primarily represents victims
of domestic violence and their families. Ms. Bhatt was recently
promoted to the position of Senior Attorney.
SABA GB is proud to acknowledge the accomplishments
of these four exceptionally talented South Asian attorneys.
The four finalists, including the award recipient, Ms. Patel,
represent the tremendous strength and diversity of the South
Asian legal community in the Boston area and in New England.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association and is an organization dedicated
to serving as the regional voice of the South Asian legal community.
SABA GB supports and promotes the advancement of attorneys and
law students of South Asian heritage and looks to serve the
legal needs of the South Asian community at large.
For additional information, please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
July 31, 2008
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”) congratulates SABA GB member
Mala M. Rafik on her recent election as Council Member of the
Boston Bar Association (the “BBA”). The Council,
comprised of 28 members of the bar, and is a governing body
of the BBA. Ms. Rafik will serve on the Council for a three-year
term.
In addition to her role as Council Member, Ms. Rafik has an
active legal practice and a long record of service within the
legal community. Ms. Rafik is a partner at Rosenfeld & Rafik,
P.C. where she represents individuals with severe chronic or
catastrophic conditions and disabilities. Ms. Rafik also serves
as a co-chair of the BBA Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Section
and as a Board Member of the Massachusetts Advocates for Children,
the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and Massachusetts
Correctional Legal Services.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association. As part of its mission, SABA GB
continues to support and encourage the advancement of South
Asians to leadership positions within the legal community and
the community at large.
For additional information regarding SABA
GB please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
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.
May 14, 2008

Let’s
get real about diversity
To commemorate diversity month, on April 24,
2008, the affinity bar associations in Massachusetts hosted
“Lets Get Real About Diversity” - an event designed
to allow participants of all minority organizations to candidly
discuss diversity issues in the Massachusetts legal community
and ways we can work together to improve it. Over seventy-five
people were in attendance for the event, spearheaded by the
South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”),
and organized by the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
(“AALAM”), the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar
Association (“MLGBA”), the Massachusetts Black Lawyers
Association (“MBLA”), and the Massachusetts Association
of Hispanic Attorneys (“MAHA”). In addition, the
Boston Bar Association Diversity Leadership Task Force co-hosted
the event. This event marked the first time that SABAGB, AALAM,
MAHA, MBLA and MLGBA all gathered together to discuss an issue
of significance for each organization, and the legal community
in Massachusetts.
Panelists included Edward Cheng, partner at
Sherin & Lodgin; Carlos Perez-Albuerne, partner at Choate
Hall & Stewart; Robert Cooper, Senior Counsel at OneUnited
Bank; Annapoorni Sankaran, shareholder at Greenberg Traurig;
and Vickie Henry, partner at Foley Hoag. The discussion was
moderated by Christina E. Miller, Chief of District Courts and
Community Prosecutions at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s
Office. Ms. Miller invited the audience and panelists to weigh
in on scenarios often encountered by diverse attorneys, including
instances of overt and subtle discrimination, pressures upon
diverse associates to participate in firm diversity committees
and how diverse attorneys can best fit in with law firm culture.
The panelists openly discussed their past experiences and provided
their perspectives on handling difficult issues in the workplace.
Panelists and guests attended a reception following
the panel discussion. Attendees noted the importance of the
event and how it will serve as a stepping stone for future events
and helping the legal community to evolve. More importantly,
attendees commented on how the event and the reception allowed
minority attorneys to discuss important issues in a familiar
and safe environment, and allowed them to meet and develop important
relationships with minority members of the bar. Taruna Garg,
Esq., Clerk of SABA GB commented, “I was pleased by how
long people stayed at the event. With members of so many of
the minority bars present, it was amazing to listen to the excitement
and brainstorming for future events, and ways we can all better
serve our communities. In addition, as both majority and minority
bar members, we all realized that we are working towards the
same goal and collaboration is the most effective way to achieve
it.” Bar leaders hope that this panel discussion was the
start of an important dialogue in the Massachusetts legal community
and will be presenting future events to take the discussion
to the next level.
SABA GB is a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association and is an organization dedicated
to supporting and promoting the advancement of attorneys and
law students of South Asian heritage and serving the legal needs
of the South Asian community at large.
For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association
of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
April 24,2008

South
Asian Bar Association Of Greater Boston Announces Affiliated
Bar Status With The Massachusetts Bar Association
Nutter, McClennan & Fish
6:30 p.m.
The South Asian Bar Association of Greater
Boston (“SABA GB”), a chapter of the North American
South Asian Bar Association, recently announced that the Executive
Management Board of the Massachusetts Bar Association (“MBA”)
unanimously approved SABA GB’s application to become an
MBA affiliated bar association. The MBA affiliate bars assist
the MBA in the furtherance of its mission, policies and activities.
There are currently twenty-six such associations, each with
a representative on the MBA’s governing House of Delegates.
Becoming an affiliated bar of the MBA has been
a SABA GB goal and serves as formal recognition of the efforts
by SABA GB to create strong relationships with local majority
and affinity bar associations in Massachusetts. SABA GB expects
that MBA affiliated bar status will provide SABA GB with a greater
voice in the Massachusetts legal community and further enable
SABA GB to benefit from the experience and expertise of the
MBA. SABA GB looks forward to working with the MBA and the other
MBA affiliated bars to continue initiatives to improve the diversity
of the legal community in Massachusetts.
Samia M. Kirmani, President of SABA GB commented,
“SABA GB is of the firm belief that issues of diversity
in the legal profession are most effectively addressed as a
group effort. We believe that each bar association can represent
and bring a unique voice to the discussion so that we can better
understand each other and the communities we serve. That said,
only as a team can we make a real difference in the landscape
of our profession. Thus, we are honored to have become an affiliated
bar of the MBA and look forward to furthering our collective
goals.”
To that end, in celebration of Diversity month,
SABA GB is co-hosting a joint event with some of its fellow
affiliated bar organizations. The event will feature a panel
of attorneys who will speak candidly about diversity in the
Boston legal community, as well as a networking reception for
attendees. It will be held at Nutter, McClennan & Fish on
Thursday, April 24th at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, please E-mail Maya
Sethi at MSethi@nutter.com.
SABA GB is a voluntary bar association dedicated
to the advancement and development of attorneys and law students
who are interested in issues affecting the South Asian community
in Massachusetts. Through professional development activities,
community outreach, education programs, legal services efforts,
and networking opportunities, SABA GB benefits not only its
membership but the community at large.
For more information about SABA GB please visit
www.sabagb.org
or contact Samia M. Kirmani, President, SABA GB, at 617-367-0025
or at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com.
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