KGACLC 20th Anniversary Celebration Event Program

E D U C A T I O N . S E R V I C E. S U C C E S S.

Celebrating twenty years of educating law students and providing free legal services to the community with competence, conscience, and compassion 20th anniversary celebration october 25, 2014

A Message from the Executive Director Dear Friends, I am so glad to be back as Executive Director!

Your presence here tonight is a tribute to the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center and the dedication and commitment of everyone associated with it. Without your support and the support of the University, the Law Center would not be able to continue to educate and challenge our students and inspire them to become lawyers of conscience, competence and compassion.

Experiential learning has been going on here for the last 20 years, long before the ABA and the State Bar became seriously interested in the concept. Graduates who participated as students at the Law Center frequently describe it as the best experience of their law school career. Watching the current students in action energizes and motivates me. I will do all I can to support the mission of KGACLC - an exceptional place where individuals without the means to remedy grave injustices obtain representation and advice. In turn, our students learn how to represent clients under the close supervision of our nationally-recognized clinical professors.

Everyone realizes that the Law Center could not continue without the financial support of law firms, attorneys and other individuals. Our benefactors give in the spirit of the late former Dean of the Law School, George Alexander and his wife Katharine, who so generously started an endowment for the Law Center in 2004.

Much of tonight’s success is due to the hard work of the Celebration Committee, which includes many members of the Law Center’s Advisory Board and our Staff – thank you. I also want to highlight our partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences, the Ignatian Center and the Markkula Center – our common Jesuit mission of service to our community unites us in our endeavors. I am especially grateful for the support of Michael E. Engh, S.J., the University President.

To our sponsors and everyone here tonight, thank you so much for making our 20th Anniversary Celebration a huge success! Have a wonderful evening.

Cynthia A. Mertens Executive Director

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

WELCOMING REMARKS

PROGRAM

Lisa Kloppenberg Dean of the Santa Clara University School of Law CELEBRATORY REMARKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Cynthia A. Mertens Executive Director, Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center THE LAW CENTER THEN AND NOW - A BRIEF PERSPECTIVE

Jim Hammer, Esq. Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Co-founder KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Luis J. Rodriguez President Emeritus, State Bar of California Introduced by Jim Hammer THE FOUNDERS’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Brief introductory video, presented by Jim Hammer Award presented by Ruben Pizarro and Jim Hammer Acceptance remarks by Eric and Nancy Wright Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Co-founders THE LIVE AUCTION

Richard Alexander, tonight’s auctioneer Introduced by Christopher Schumb CLOSING REMARKS

Cynthia A. Mertens THE MYSTERY PRIZE

Sergio López Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center Staff

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

A Message from Michael E. Engh, S.J. President, Santa Clara University I congratulate the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center on this milestone and express my gratitude to its director, attorneys and staff who continue to serve our community with selflessness and commitment.

The Law Center truly embodies the values of SCU. It serves the community of which we are a part and gives students the opportunity to understand and improve the lives of those with the least education, power, and wealth.

The Law Center’s distinction rests in the fact that it provides direct legal services to the poorest in our community while training law students to be lawyers of conscience, competence and compassion.

Thanks to the hands-on, experiential learning offered to our law students by the Law Center’s attorneys and staff, their collective impact on our community is truly transformative.

In line with the University’s values of engagement and solidarity, the Law Center is an integral part of our efforts to build a more humane, just, faith-filled, and sustainable world.

May the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center continue to serve our community for many more years to come.

Michael E. Engh, S.J. President

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Introduced by Jim Hammer, Esq. Law Center Co-Founder Luis J. Rodriguez President Emeritus, State Bar of California On October 12, 2013, Luis J. Rodriguez was sworn in as the 89th President of the State Bar of California. He is the first Latino, the first active Public Defender and the first Santa Clara Law School alumnus to serve as President of the State Bar. Luis attended Santa Clara University as an undergraduate.

While at SCU, his commitment to social justice blossomed when he joined a coalition of student groups to urge the school’s administration to divest from South Africa’s then apartheid government; he fought for an expansion of the Ethnic Studies curriculum, and participated in student politics. Upon graduation, Luis was honored with the Nobili Award. The award, named after SCU founder John Nobili, S.J., is given by the faculty and the Provost to the graduate deemed outstanding in academic performance, personal character, school activities, and constructive contribution to the University.

Luis went on to Santa Clara School of Law, where he was active with the La Raza law students, and he continued his commitment to diversity and access to justice. In 1994, he joined the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, where he has worked for the last 19 years to fight for the rights of indigent adults and children charged with criminal offenses.

In his role as Special Counsel to then Public Defender, Michael P. Judge, Luis was also key to advancing Mr. Judge’s commitment to the diversity of the attorneys in the office. Luis was instrumental in ensuring that not only attorneys were representative of the diverse population in Los Angeles County but that law clerks were similarly representative of the county’s diverse community.

Luis has taken leadership roles throughout the years as President of the Los Angeles County Mexican American Bar Association, President of the California La Raza Lawyers Association, President of the Latino Public Defender Association, member of the California State Board of Education and Chair of the State Bar of California’s Council on Access and Fairness (COAF).

The mission of COAF is to advise the State Bar Board of Trustees on appropriate strategies consistent with State Bar policies and procedures that enhance opportunities and advancement in the legal profession for diverse populations, particularly those who have been historically under-represented.

Because of the obstacles he faced and the support that he received from many, Luis forever committed himself to being the voice for those who have no voice. He is happily married. He and his wife are raising two young, socially-conscious and loving girls who will become strong, independent and compassionate women.

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

FOUNDERS’ AWARD

Introduced by Ruben Pizarro and Jim Hammer Law Center Co-Founders Law Professors Eric and Nancy Wright Law Center Co-Founders Twenty years ago, when a disenfranchised community in East San José suffered the injustice of unpaid wages and abuse in the work place, a group of committed Santa Clara La Raza law students and generous volunteers found in Professors Wright the assistance and inspiration they needed to provide relief in the form of free legal advice.

The Wrights’ enthusiastic support quickly went beyond its supervisory role as they saw the potential of this effort and its need for financial viability. So, unfazed by their full teaching load and their many law school responsibilities, they applied for two grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Legal Services Corporation. Both grants were approved in the total amount of $200,000. The money was put to use immediately to pay the rent of badly needed office space and to hire two attorneys to supervise our law students. Thus, in 1994, the East San José Community Law Center (ESJCLC) was officially born thanks to the work and foresight of Professors Wright.

“In their combined 73 years of teaching, Eric and Nancy have taught literally thousands of SCU Law grads. They are among the most respected and loved of all the professors at the law school.

Students rave about their teaching, their genuine concern for them and their success, and their commitment to social justice. They are known for taking action when they see an injustice; they are effective, committed and creative,” says Professor Cynthia Mertens, the Law Center’s current Executive Director and their long-time colleague.

In addition to their role in founding the Alexander Law Center, Professors Eric and Nancy Wright were the co-founders and initial co-directors of the Center for Social Justice and Public Service at Santa Clara. They also co-founded and were the first co-administrators of the Trina Grillo Public Interest Retreat.

Their teaching also reflects their commitment to public interest, with Eric teaching consumer law and Nancy focusing on children and the law. In addition, for many years, they have jointly taught a course on Public Interest Practice, in which they encourage students to develop practical and relevant projects for underserved communities and the issues they face. They have also co-taught a similar course on a number of occasions at Stanford Law School. Both law schools have recognized their contributions to public interest education. At Santa Clara, they have received Public Interest and Social Justice Recognition Awards as well as the First Year Professor of the Year Award and the Professor of the Year Award. At Stanford, in 2005, the law school established the Eric and Nancy Wright Chair in Clinical Law — the first time that a Chair was endowed at one law school in honor of professors at another law school.

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Board Members Marlene Bennett Sara Folchi Robert E. Greeley Sylvia Kennedy Estela LĂłpez Carlos Mino Robert Nuddleman Ruth Silver Taube Niels van Naarden Bart Volkmer

The Advisory Board proudly salutes The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center on its 20th Anniversary and congratulates Professors Eric and Nancy Wright on their Founders’ Lifetime Achievement Award

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

THANK YOU SPONSORING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS Thank you for supporting our dual mission of educating law students and serving our clients with competence, conscience, and compassion.

LEADERS The Morrison & Foerster Foundation Michael E. Engh, S.J., President, Santa Clara University Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation Hopkins & Carley ADVOCATES Needham Kepner Fish & Rickard LLP John Marshall Collins Christopher Schumb PARTNERS Cooley LLP Benjamin Fanger Sara Folchi The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley Law Offices of Balam Letona Microsoft Richard Schramm The Law Center’s righteous work speaks SUPPORTERS to our true calling as lawyers, The College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the Dean to serve and seek justice for others.

The Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Marisela Sandoval ’15 Edward Alvarez SCU La Raza Law Student Association, Member Andrew Shaffer Law Center Workers’ Rights Student Narendra Thappeta Celebrating twenty years of education, service and success

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

LAW CENTER STAFF AND ADVISORY BOARD Without you, the work of the Law Center would not be possible. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many law students and members of our community.

Advisory Board Marlene Bennett Sara Folchi Robert Greeley Sylvia Kennedy Estela L贸pez Carlos Mino Robert Nuddleman Ruth Silver Taube Niels van Naarden Bart Volkmer

Alexander Community Law Center Staff Margarita Alvarez, Employment Law Supervising Attorney Dianne Blakely-Depositar, Administrative Director Reuben Castillo, Consumer Law Paralegal Caroline Chen, Low Income Tax Clinic Director, Supervising Attorney Marisol E. Durani, Legal Assistant Erika Henderson, Administrative Director, Grants Mirna Henriquez, Receptionist Sergio L贸pez, Communications Scott Maurer, Consumer Law Supervising Attorney Cynthia Mertens, Executive Director Lynette Parker, Immigration Law Supervising Attorney Margarita Sandoval, Immigration Legal Assistant Ruth Silver Taube, Employment Law Supervising Attorney

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THANK YOU CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

We recognize the Celebration Committee. Your work and dedication to this event and to the Alexander Law Center are truly inspirational. Thank you!

Marlene Bennett, Esq.* Dianne Blakely-Depositar + Robert Greeley, Esq.* Sylvia Kennedy, Esq.* Estela L贸pez, Esq., Committee Chair * Sergio L贸pez+ Cynthia Mertens, Professor of Law, Law Center Executive Director + Mariela Rodriguez + Ruth Silver Taube, Esq.*+ *Advisory Board Member + Law Center Staff

EVENT HOST COMMITTEE Our sincere thanks for your financial support and for reaching out to other supporters on behalf of the Law Center.

PLATINUM Brian Blacutt and Carol Blacutt-Underwood SILVER Delma Locke Estela L贸pez & Haywood S. Gilliam Sasha Morgan Allen & Cynthia Ruby Ruth Silver Taube & Melvyn Silver BRONZE Michael Alcorta Cynthia Mertens & Jim Rowan Kristi Nevarez 14

Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

A Very Special Thanks Our deepest gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for your unconditional support and assistance.

Richard Alexander, Celebration Auctioneer Jack and Marni Balleto Chuck Barry, SCU Photographer Nic Bertino, Law Technology and Digital Media Rigel Brooks, Founders’ Award Video Editor Reuben Castillo, Law Center Staff Member Matthew Hall, Law Technology and Digital Media Keith L. Hames, Executive Director, Akoma Arts (Entertainment) Bill Hirsch John Marshall Collins Michael Morales, Law Technology and Digital Media Trang Morris, Catering Manager, Hotel Valencia Howard and Sallie Peters Chris Schumb Julie Stone, Operations and Campaigns, SCU Development Michelle Waters, Law Technology and Digital Media Garland Yee, Founders’ Award Videographer

Our Gratitude to the Women Winemakers of California Many thanks to Dr. Lucia Albino Gilbert, SCU Professor of Psychology, for reaching out to the Women Winemakers of California (www.womenwinemakers.com) on our behalf. The Law Center is very grateful to you and the four event partners featured here in alphabetical order.

arnswinery.com

corison.com

corrawines.com

viader.com

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KGACLC

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Our Mission Our mission is to educate law students in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards by serving individuals and communities in need with competence, conscience and compassion through pro bono legal representation and education.

Our Services Legal Advice and Representation The Law Center leverages the evolving skills of law students, who work under the close supervision of experienced attorneys to provide free legal services. Clients are served through appointments scheduled during “clinic” days. This model achieves two goals: • •

It allows law students to receive excellent training in the handling of cases involving real clients, which in turn allows them to become competent and compassionate attorneys.

It provides very low-income clients with high-quality legal representation that they would not be able to afford otherwise.

Depending on the available resources, the Alexander Law Center may decide to offer full legal representation to a limited number of clients seen during its legal clinics or referred by partner agencies.

Education Through Community Workshops In addition to its legal clinics, the Law Center offers a number of workshops in the areas of: • Consumer Rights • Tenant Rights • Workers’ Rights These workshops are given throughout the community in day-worker centers, ESL classes, community centers, homeless shelters and other venues as a way to disseminate basic legal information to the under-represented members of our community.

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...ever yday.

Our Practice Areas

Consumer Law • • • •

Fraud and unfair business practices in the sale and financing of used cars Identity theft and inaccurate credit reports Car repossession or towing issues Debt collection harassment and other miscellaneous consumer issues

Employment Law • • • • • • •

Wrongful termination, unpaid wages Harassment and discrimination at the workplace Investigation of retaliation cases for the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement of the State of California Family and Medical Leave Act and California Paid Family Leave Act issues Representation at the Labor Commission and the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board Mediation at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Assistance with Superior Court Appeals from Labor Commission Decisions

Immigration Law Representation of adults and minors (including unaccompanied minors), in affirmative applications and in deportation defense related to: • T visas for victims of human trafficking, U visas for victims of crimes • Self-petitions based on VAWA (the Violence Against Women Act) • Petitions for political asylum • DACA ((Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Our Collaborative Work Memberships • Bay Area Equal Pay Collaborative • South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking • Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Commission • Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition Partnerships for Workers’ Rights clinics led by supervising attorney Ruth Silver Taube • The Mexican Consulate in San José • The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC) • The Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) • The Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) • Yerba Buena High School and Mount Pleasant High School Celebrating twenty years of education, service and success

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THANK YOU IN-KIND PARTNERS AND SPONSORS LIVE AUCTION

Ronnie Lott, 49ers tickets Arns Winery Kevin Mertens-Rowan, sous chef at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, Gourmet dinner for 8 Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae Hartford Family Winery La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos

SILENT AUCTION

San Francisco 49ers, Mini-helmet autographed by #49 Bruce Miller Corison Winery Corra Wines Viader Wines Green Design (Greendesignplantscape.com), Gift card Sylvia Kennedy, Onyx necklace Robert and Bonnie Peterson; A handcrafted, solar-powered water fountain Dean Emeritus Don Polden and Cynthia Mertens, A delectable dinner for 8 Sayyora Shanazarova, Handcrafted purses from Uzbekistan Made’ Sukerti Berg, Balinese Flower Watercolor

OTHER IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS

Mementos of gratitude for award winners: Hotel Fairmont, San Francisco Green Design (Greendesignplantscape.com), Gift card Barry Swenson Builder, Wine sponsor

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Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center

IN-KIND PARTNERS AND SPONSORS The Law Center is grateful for the participation of the MetWest Terra Hospitality group, comprised of beautiful resort properties in California and other states. We are happy and honored to feature these great hotels in our 2014 Donation Drawing.* Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Sausalito Hotel Abri, San Francisco The Lodge at Tiburon The Toll House Hotel, Los Gatos Many thanks to Hotel Valencia for hosting our event so generously and for providing a fantastic item for our drawing.

Hotel Valencia, Santana Row We’re grateful to our very supportive friends at the fabulous Hotel Los Gatos & Dio Deka Our gratitude to Mezcal, a local culinary jewel specializing in Oaxacan food, for its continued support.

Mezcal Mexican Restaurant & Bar Thanks to Justin’s, right next to the SCU campus, for being a supportive neighbor and a provider of world-class dining experiences and top-notch food services.

Justin’s Restaurant, Catering and Event Production Many thanks our good neighbor Fiorillo’s, for its continued support of the Law Center.

Fiorillo’s Restaurant & Banquet Facilities

* This year, to recognize the continued support of the campus community and our University Partners, the Donation Drawing was open only to SCU Faculty and Staff. We look forward to next year’s drawing during our annual event.

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THANK YOU We would like to extend our deep gratitude to our university partners.

Through your support and our collaboration, we seek to better serve our clients and to point our students towards a more complete, a more compassionate, and a more enriching Santa Clara education.

Michael E. Engh, S.J., President Santa Clara University The College of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean

law.scu.edu/donate-to-kgaclc

We appreciate the support of