News Brief: National Bar Association

August 16, 2014

THIS MONTH

August 16, 2014
11 am CST
NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION “EDUCATION DAY”
Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church
9950 Owen Dr.
St. Louis, MO

August 17, 2014
3 pm CST
COMMUNITY UNITED for JUSTICE for MICHAEL BROWN

Greater Grace Church
3690 Pershall Rd.
Ferguson, MO

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 17, 2014
Constitutional Law Day
Nationwide
Register

September 24-27, 2014
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Annual Legislative Conference
Washington, DC

September 25, 2014
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II’s Brain Trust
From Separate But Equal to Separate But Unequal:
Charter vs. Public System
Washington, DCSeptember 26, 2014
Congressman John Conyers’ Brain Trust
Dismantling The School to Prison Pipeline
Washington, DC

September 26, 2014
Region II Regional Conference
New York, NY
Learn More

October 10, 2014
25th Anniversary Wiley Branton Symposium
St. John’s University School of Law
Queens, NY

October 17 , 2014
25th Anniversary Wiley Branton Symposium
Western State College of Law
Fullerton, CA

October 28-30, 2014
Annual Meeting of the Association of Corporate Counsel
New Orleans, LA

October 30-31, 2014
25th Anniversary Wiley Branton Symposium
Southern University Law Center
Baton Rouge, LA

November 7, 2014
25th Anniversary Wiley Branton Symposium
University of Arkansas School of Law
Fayetteville, AR

January 2015
Judicial Council Division Mid-Winter Conference
TBD

February 26 -28, 2015
Commercial Law Section Corporate Counsel Conference
Naples, FL

March 18-22, 2015
Small Firms/Solo Practitioners Division Conference
Montego Bay, Jamaica

March 26, 2015
Mid-Year Conference & Gertrude E. Rush Dinner
St. Louis, MO

April 21 – 23, 2015
National Bar Association Day on the Hill
Washington, DC

July 18, 2015
Pre Convention: 90th Annual Convention & Exhibits
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
Los Angeles, CA
Register

July 19-23, 2015
90th Annual Convention & Exhibits
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
Los Angeles, CA
Register

OUR WATCH

** Voting Rights Act **Where Voting Is Now Easier
New York Times Judge Allows North Carolina Voting Law to Hold During Midterms
TIME

Texas Lawmakers Didn’t Target Minority Voters, Court Told
Bloomberg News

Why We Still Need the Voting Rights Act
Brennan Center

“Proposal could create more voting districts anchored by minorities”
Rick Hasen on Election Law

* Judicial Nominations*

Honorable Alison Renee Lee of South Carolina
On June 26, 2013, President Obama nominated Judge Lee to serve as a US District Judge of the US District Court for the District of South Carolina.

What’s the delay?
Lee’s nomination has stalled due to South Carolina Senators Lindsay Graham (R) and Tim Scott (R) refusing to sign off on their “blue slips,” keeping her nomination from the Senate Judiciary committee

Honorable Jennifer May-Parker of North Carolina
On June 20, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated May-Parker to serve as a United States Attorney in North Carolina.

What’s the delay?
However, May-Parker’s nomination has been stalled as Republican Senator Richard Burr has held his “blue slip.” As a result, her nomination remains pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

What is the “Blue Slip” Process?
+ A “blue slip” is an opinion written by a Senator from the state where a federal judicial
nominee resides:

+ Both senators from a nominee’s state are sent a blue slip in which they may submit a
favorable or unfavorable opinion of a nominee before the nominee may go before the
Senate Judiciary Committee.

+ The blue slip is an old tradition, dating back to at least 1917. If one or both of them disapproves or withholds the blue slip, the nomination tends to grind to a halt.

How to Support the nominees?

Contacts Regarding Alison Lee
Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) (202) 224-5972
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) (202) 224-6121
Contacts Regarding Jennifer May-Parker
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) (202) 224-3154

Join Us! Our message is quite clear!

Advance the nominations of Alison Renee Lee and Jennifer May-Parker.
Lobby To Eliminate the Blue Slip Process by contacting:
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
437 Russell Senate Bldg. | United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4242

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NATIONAL BAR NEWS National Bar Association Takes Action During Recent Police Misconduct Cases Across the CountryNational Bar Association Calls for Two Days of Action Related to Deaths Involving Police in Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas, and California
In light of the alleged police misconduct which took place causing the deaths of Michael Brown from Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner from Staten Island, New York; John Crawford from Beavercreek, Ohio; Marquis Jones from San Antonio, Texas; and Ezell Ford from Los Angeles, California, the National Bar Association created initiatives across the nation to educate the community and to call for justice in these fatal incidents. Read more…

National Bar Association Applauds the Decision of Ferguson’s Police Department in Releasing Officer’s Name
Two days after receiving demands from the National Bar Association and other civil rights group, the Ferguson Police Department has made a decision to release the name of the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. Read more…

Sunshine Act Request Filed
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014, a records request was filed demanding the name, gender, rank, race, age and seniority of the officer who shot Brown. The organization also asked for information about the past conduct of the officer and any information about his or her alleged use of force against any suspects while with the Ferguson Police Department.

Open Book Request Filed

The National Bar Association has filed an open book requests in 25 states and cities for information on police actions. Read more…

President Meanes and Members Host Town Hall Meeting
Over 100 National Bar Association members participated during a Tuesday, August 12, 2014, conference call to discuss the various issues associated with the Police Brutality that has occurred in Missouri, New York and Texas.The National Bar Association Calls for a U.S. Department of Justice Investigation into Deaths Involving Police in Missouri, New York and Texas
The National Bar Association called for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the police shooting death of 18 year-old Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, and the recent death of 42 year-old Eric Garner, who died from a chokehold allegedly used by a member of the New York Police Department while Garner was in police custody.Read more...

View Press Coverage:

Lifetime Member Arthenia Joyner Honored for Civil Rights and Criminal Justice Reforms
State Senator and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) has been named the 2014 recipient of the prestigious L. Clayton Nance Award by the Florida Public Defender Association. Read more…

Past President Paulette Brown Sworn in as American Bar Association President Elect
Past President Paulette Brown was sworn in on August 12, 2014, as President-Elect of the American Bar Association. Ms. Brown is the first African-American woman to assume this role. Read more…

Past President John Page Discusses the Key to Inspire Great Leadership
From McDonald’s Crew Member to Senior VP and General Counsel of Golden State Foods, Past President Page provides an insightful interview in Forefront Magazine this month. Read more…

Attorney Donald Temple Discusses Civil Litigation
National Bar member Donald Temple discussed discrimination, police brutality and more during the morning show of “Law Talk with Ethel Mitchel”. Listen here….

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On-line Petition Calling for Independent Investigation
The National Bar Association has established an on-line petition calling for an independent investigation regarding the death of Michael Brown. Click here to complete petition.

Police Brutality Request Form Launched by the National Bar Association
The form will allow task force members to evaluate complaints of police misconduct and/or police brutality that have been submitted by the public or an attorney. The form will provide a brief description of the case and other pertinent information to investigate incidents that are submitted. Complete form…

Advocates for Education Reform: Protecting the Right to Education One Student at a Time
The National Bar Association’s Pro Bono and Public Service Committee is excited to introduce a special project that will directly confront the school to prison pipeline. Attorney General Eric Holder has called on school districts to reconsider zero-tolerance discipline policies. Read more…

Interested in Participating In the National Bar Association Constitutional Law Day?
On September 17, 2014, members will visit schools across the county to distribute and talk about the importance of the constitution and its historical impact on African Americans, in particular the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Be a part of this amazing experience by clicking here to sign up. Contact Jawan Finley by email for more information.

This year the National Bar will celebrate the 25th Annual Wiley A. Branton Issues Symposiums. In honor of this milestone, four Symposiums will be held from October 10 – November 7, 2014.
>>> Read Announcement
>>> Submit Nominations
>>> Call for Papers

PRESIDENTS CORNER

President Meanes Leadership, Advisors and Appointees
View President Meanes, Leadership Team, Advisorsand Presidential Appointees contributing to the success of the organization during this term.

89th Annual Convention Highlights

>>> Click to view Convention Highlights…