October 7, 2017
EDUC ATION SERVICE SUCCESS
Celebrating over twenty years of providing free legal services to the community and educating law students to be social justice advocates
A Message from the Executive Director Dear Friends, I am pleased to welcome you to the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center’s Annual Celebration – Together We Rise! We have the unique privilege of educating law students to be social justice advocates while serving the legal needs of our low-income community in the areas of immigration, consumer law, workers’ rights, and human trafficking. In this ever-changing legal environment that threatens our very humanity, we use our resources to serve others and challenge injustice. Tonight’s Celebration recognizes great acts of solidarity, compassion, and activism in the midst of uncertain times. The stories will inspire you to rise with us. We are indebted to the volunteer attorneys and community partners who help staff workshops, supervise advice clinics, take pro bono cases, and work with us in other ways. We also simply could not do our work without the financial support of law firms, attorneys, individuals, and granting entities such as the State Bar and Santa Clara County. We thank the clinical law students as well – you make us better teachers, lawyers, and learners. Our law students and alumni return and give back, like many of you here today. Thank you for your continued support. Tonight’s success is largely due to the stellar Celebration Committee, chaired by Advisory Board Member Estela Lopez Gilliam J.D. ’97, and to the members of the Law Center’s Advisory Board and the Celebration Host Committee who stepped in to assist. We are grateful to Michael E. Engh, S.J., University President and Lisa A. Kloppenberg, Dean of Santa Clara Law for continuing to support our mission. A very special thanks to Dean Emeritus Donald J. Polden; his efforts to name the Cynthia Mertens Room establishes a symbolic home for the Law Center in the new law school building and recognizes Prof. Mertens’ enduring legacy. Together with our Advisory Board and supporters, we have the experience, heart, and vision to ensure that this important work continues. Together We Rise! Deborah Moss-West J.D. ’94
Host Committee
Roxana Cremene • Allonn Levy • Cynthia Mertens • Kristi Nevarez Donald Polden • Jim Rowan • Vincent Tong • Randall Webb
Law Center Advisory Board
Steven J. Kahn, Chair Marlene Bennett* • Sara Folchi* • Robert Greeley* • Sylvia Kennedy* • James Lindfelt Delma Locke • Estela Lopez Gilliam+ • Carlos Mino* • Angela Nelson • Ruth Silver Taube* Patricia Timm* • Niels van Naarden • Bart Volkmer
+ Celebration Committee Chair * Celebration Committee Member
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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Program READING OF MAYA ANGELOU’S STILL I RISE Aldo Billingslea Professor, Theatre and Dance, Santa Clara University WELCOMING REMARKS Lisa A. Kloppenberg Dean, Santa Clara Law CELEBRATORY REMARKS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & VIDEO INTRODUCTION Deborah Moss-West J.D. ’94 Executive Director, Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center INTRODUCTION OF SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY HONOREES Lynette Parker, Immigration Supervising Attorney Recognizing Evangeline Abriel, Ahmed Amer, Irina Raicu and Francisco Rivera INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY HONOREE Gilberto Orozo J.D. Candidate ’18, Cindy Avitia Immigration Justice 2017 Summer Fellow Recognizing La Raza Lawyers of Santa Clara County Charitable Foundation CYNTHIA MERTENS ROOM Steven J. Kahn J.D. ’04, Advisory Board Chair Recognizing Donald J. Polden, Dean Emeritus, Santa Clara Law LIVE AUCTION Derek Timm, Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Friend and Supporter CLOSING REMARKS Sergio Lopez Director of External Relations, Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Music, Mix & Mingle
Together We Rise! - Building Unity Through Justice & Education
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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center
our recognition and gratitude to La Raza Lawyers of Santa Clara County Charitable Foundation for advancing our mission through the establishment of the Cindy Avitia Immigration Justice Summer Fellowship, benefitting our community and law students.
The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center salutes these volunteers whose contributions exemplify the Santa Clara University spirit of service and commitment to social justice.
Evangeline Abriel, Professor, School of Law Ahmed Amer, Professor, Department of Computer Engineering Francisco Rivera, Professor, School of Law Irina Raicu, Program Director, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Together We Rise! - Building Unity Through Justice & Education
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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Thanks to our Sponsors. Your financial support enables us to achieve our mission. Michael E. Engh, S.J. President, Santa Clara University Michael Alcorta Carol Blacutt-Underwood Haywood Gilliam & Estela Lopez Deborah Moss-West Kristi Nevarez Donald J. Polden Christopher Schumb Eric & Nancy Wright
Together We Rise! - Building Unity Through Justice & Education
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Thanks to our Sponsors. Your financial support enables us to achieve our mission.
Plumbers, Steamfitters & Refrigeration Fitters Union Local 393
The Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Trade Council Working Partnerships USA
With Heart-felt Gratitude, The Law Center Staff
Deborah Moss-West, Executive Director Margarita P. Alvarez • Dianne Blakely • Reuben Castillo Marisol Durani • Mirna Henriquez • Sergio Lopez • Scott Maurer Lynette Parker • Margarita Sandoval • Ruth Silver Taube
law.scu.edu/kgaclc