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South Asian Bar Association

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Past Events

Run for a Safe Haven:  November 5, 2011

SABA members partnered with the Asian Bar Association of Sacramento (ABAS) and Women Lawyers of Sacramento (WLS) for a fundraising 5K fun run to support My Sister’s House, a local domestic violence shelter that addresses the needs of women and children impacted by domestic violence in the Central Valley’s diverse Asian and Pacific Islander community.

Unity Bar Dinner:  October 28, 2011

Latika Sharma, Nirav Desai, Niti Gupta

Negin Yazdani and Amreet Gill

For the fourth year in a row, SABA participated in the annual Unity Bar Dinner, which celebrates the diversity of the Sacramento legal community.   SABA board member Gaurav Kalra presented a community service award to Nilda Valmores, the executive Director of My Sister’s House, a shelter addressing the unique needs of women and children impacted by domestic violence in the Central Valley's highly diverse Asian and Pacific Islander community.  SABA presented scholarships to UC Davis law student Negin Yazdani and Amreet Gill.  The funds for the scholarship were generously donated by the Unity Bar, the law firm of Wilke Fleury, and US District Court Judge Jay Gandhi.

Fourth Annual SABA Diversity Law Student Reception:  September 24, 2011

McGeorge Director of Diversity Sarra Ziari, Ashley DeFranco, Nirav Desai

Judge Chris Krueger, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division, Stacy Boulware Eurie, Judge Helena Gweon, Judge Emily Vasquez, Judge Raoul Thorbourne, Justice Elena Duarte,  Justice Louis Mauro, Judge Daniel Maguire, Judge Thadd Blizzard, Justice Ron Robie,  Presiding Justice Vance Raye, Sac County Bar President Mike Levy, and Judge Gary Ransom

Judge Thadd Blizzard, McGeorge Director of Off Campus Clinics Bob Parker, and Fred Truden

Negin Yazdani, McGeorge Director of Diversity Sarra Ziari, Danielle Mesrobian, Judge Raoul Thorbourne

UC Davis Law Professor Anupam Chander, Judge Daniel Maguire, Sac County Bar President Mike Levy, UC Davis Law Professor Madhavi Sunder, and three lawyers in training!

Bhavani Murugesan, Judge Emily Vasquez, Tran Ly

SABA hosted its fourth annual diversity reception with law students from UC Davis, McGeorge, and Golden Gate law schools at Shama Mesiwala’s home in Davis.  The reception, attended by over 100 people, provided law students from all backgrounds with an opportunity to mingle over Indian appetizers and desserts with judges and attorneys in a relaxed backyard setting.      SABA was honored by the attendance Presiding Justice Vance Raye, Justice Ron Robie, Justice Louis Mauro, and Justice Elena Duarte from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division, Stacy Boulware Eurie, Judge Gary Ransom, Judge Emily Vasquez, Judge Raoul Thorbourne Judge Helena Gweon, Judge Thadd Blizzard, and Judge Chris Krueger, from the Sacramento County Superior Court, and Judge Daniel Maguire from the Yolo County Superior Court.      The reception was generously underwritten by McGeorge and UC Davis Schools of Law.

North American SABA (NASABA) Annual Convention, June 23-26, 2011

SABA Los Angeles hosted the annual NASABA convention for attorneys and law students of South Asian descent from across the North American continent.  The three-day event consisted of a unique line-up of history-making South Asian judges, attorneys and professionals, including federal magistrate judges Paul Grewal (pictured above in the middle) and Jay Gandhi, our keynote speaker for our March 2011 anniversary reception.  SABA of Sacramento Vice President Niti Gupta (pictured above on the far left) attended the conference on behalf of SABA Sacramento.

Unity Mixer:  Thursday May 26, 2011

Members of SABA Sacramento joined members of the Asian Bar Association of Sacramento (ABAS), La Raza Lawyers of Sacramento,  and the Hellenic Bar Association of Sacramento at the “Other Office,” a new lounge in Old Sacramento, at which they shared in drinks, appetizers, and conversation.

SABA Three-Year Anniversary Reception: April 7, 2011

Justice Louis Mauro, Justice Elena Duarte, Keynote speaker Magistrate Judge Jay Gandhi, Magistrate Judge Kendall Newman, and  Judge Jim Mize

Sarah Scott, Magistrate Judge Kendall Newman, Natalie Johnston, Maryam Sidiqqui, and Latika Sharma

Judge Emily Vasquez, Rebecca Whitfield, and Whitney McBride

Malavika Kumar, Bindhu Varghese, Taleen Aiazian, Gaurav Kalra, Matthew Wise, Scott Claremon, Sonia Fernandes

Keynote speaker Magistrate Judge Jay Gandhi, Shama Mesiwala, Presiding Justice Vance Raye, June Coleman, Mike Levy, Malavika Kumar, and Karen Goodman

Pat Sturdevant, and Judge Thadd Blizzard

Negin Yazdani, Rabia Paracha, Fatima Alloo, and Errol Dauis

Justice Kathy Butz, Judge Russ Hom, Justice William Murray, Judge Jim Mize, UC Davis Law School Dean Kevin Johnson, Justice Elena Duarte, and Justice Louis Mauro

SABA of Sacramento celebrated its third anniversary at Downey Brand LLP with over 100 friends and guests.  Headlining the evening was keynote speaker US District Court Magistrate Judge Jay Gandhi, the first South Asian federal magistrate judge in the country.    Judge Gandhi spoke eloquently about his father’s passage from Punjab, India to the peach orchards of Yuba City and his own journey to the bench as the son of immigrants. SABA of Sacramento was  honored by the attendance of Magistrate Judge Jay Gandhi from the US District Court, Central District of California;  Magistrate Judge Kendall Newman from the US District Court, Eastern District of California; Presiding Justice Vance Raye, Justice Kathleen Butz, Justice Louis Mauro, Justice William Murray, and Justice Elena Duarte from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District;  Judge Jim Mize, Judge Judy Hersher, Judge Emily Vasquez, Judge Russ Hom, Judge Raoul Thorbourne, Judge Thadd Blizzard, Judge Rick Sueyoshi, Judge Larry Brown, and Referee Natalie Lindsey from the  Sacramento Superior Court; Dean Kevin Johnson from UC Davis Law School; and Dean James Schiavenza from Lincoln Law School. SABA of Sacramento is grateful to the North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) for partially underwriting the cost of the reception and to Downey Brand LLP for the generous donation of its banquet room for the reception.

SABA/MESAA Career Panel: Thursday January 27, 2011

SABA, in conjunction with McGeorge's Middle Eastern and South Asian Association (MESAA) hosted a career panel at McGeorge School of Law consisting of local Sacramento attorneys, solo practioner, Nilesh Choudhary, Sacramento County Deputy Public Defender, Niti Gupta, Hanson Bridgett associate, Renju Jacob, and McGeorge professor, Omar Dajani.  The event was attended by approximately 20 McGeorge law school students who received valuable advice from the panel’s experiences in the legal profession.

Joint SABA, Wiley Manuel, and La Raza Mixer:  Thursday, December 16, 2010

SABA, Wiley Manuel and La Raza co-hosted a holiday soiree at Lounge on Twenty over drinks and appetizers. Members of the Sacramento legal community reveled in the holiday spirit and also toasted to the upcoming new year.

Run for a Safe Haven:  November 6, 2010

My Sister’s House Board of Director Angela Lai and Sonia Fernandes

Angela Ho, Jina Lee, Melanie Hui, Adrianne Lo, Clarisa Sudarma

Several SABA members, including board members Tej Grewal and Gaurav Bobby Kalra, participated in Run for a Safe Haven, one of the primary fundraisers for local domestic violence agency My Sister’s House (http://www.my-sisters-house.org/).  Gaurav also sponsored several UC Davis law students to participate in the run.

Unity Bar Dinner:  October 28, 2010

For the third year in a row, SABA participated in the annual Unity Bar Dinner, which celebrates the diversity of the Sacramento legal community.   SABA presented a community service award to Gaurav  Bobby Kalra for his civic involvement with My Sister’s House, a local domestic violence shelter,  and for his efforts to help break the cycle of domestic violence.  SABA presented a scholarship to third year UC Davis law student Fatima Alloo (pictured above with Sacramento County Assistant Presiding Judge Laurie Earl).

SABA and Women Lawyers of Sacramento Luncheon:  September 30, 2010

For the first time, the Women Lawyers of Sacramento and SABA of Sacramento hosted a joint luncheon to honor keynote speaker and acclaimed legal scholar, Professor Madhavi Sunder of UC Davis Law School.  Professor Sunder’s speech, “Reading the Quran in Kuala Lumpur” received a heartwarming response from a sold out crowd of 75 lawyers, judges, and law students at Lucca’s restaurant in midtown Sacramento.

Third Annual SABA Diversity Law Student Reception:  September 25, 2010

SABA hosted its third annual diversity reception for law students from UC Davis, McGeorge, and Lincoln law schools at Shama Mesiwala’s home in Davis.  The reception,  attended by over 80 people, provided law students from all backgrounds with an opportunity to mingle with judges and attorneys in a relaxed setting.  SABA was honored by the attendance of Judge Morrison England from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Justice George Nicholson from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division, Stacy Boulware Eurie, Judge Elena Duarte, and Judge Thadd Blizzard, from the Sacramento County Superior Court.  The reception was generously underwritten by McGeorge and UC Davis Schools of Law and the North American South Asian Bar Association Foundation.

Third Annual SABA Wine Tasting:  July 14, 2010

Over 50 members of the local legal community, including those from SABA, the Asian Bar, Sac Legal,  and the Sacramento County Bar, enjoyed wine flights and appetizers at 58 Degrees and Holding Company in midtown Sacramento.  The event provided attendees a chance to mingle and network over fine wines in a quaint atmosphere.  SABA was honored by the attendance of Justice Ron Robie from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, and Judge Jim Mize and Judge Russ Hom from the Sacramento County Superior Court.

SABA Annual Rooftop Potluck:  May 12, 2010

For the third year in a row, SABA members and friends gathered on Niti's rooftop to enjoy an evening of homemade Indian food along with other delights.  Not only did the SABA community share a delicious dinner in an intimate setting, but they shared conversation that continued into Niti's apartment for some hot chai and dessert.

SABA Mentorship Mixer:  April 19, 2010

SABA of Sacramento hosted its first Mentorship Mixer at Kathmandu Kitchen in Sacramento.  The event was aimed at building mentor-mentee relationships between attorneys in Sacramento and students from King Hall and McGeorge Schools of Law.  During two 30-minute sessions, students had the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with their mentor attorneys. The end of the event offered the students and attorneys the opportunity  to casually mingle with each other. We thank the following attorneys who served as the students’ mentors:   Nirav Desai, Ram Dakhal, Sonia Fernandes , Hector de Avila Gonzalez, Omar Singh, Bhavani G. Murugasan, Ramaah Sadasivam, Gaurav Bobby Kalra, Niti Gupta, and Shama Mesiwala.

SABA Two-Year Anniversary Celebration:  March 11, 2010

SABA of Sacramento celebrated its second anniversary at Downey Brand LLP with over 100 friends and guests.  Headlining the evening was keynote speaker Harmeet K. Dhillon, a lawyer, civil rights activist, and the first South Asian nominee for state office in California (pictured above with Justice Fred Morrison). SABA of Sacramento was honored by the attendance of Presiding Justice Art Scotland, Justice Fred Morrison, and Justice Kathy Butz from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Presiding Judge Steve White, Presiding Judge (Juvenile Division) Stacy Boulware Eurie, Judge Gary Ransom, Judge Robert Hight, Judge Russ Hom, Judge Troy Nunley, Judge Raoul Thorbourne, Judge Elena Duarte, Judge Thadd Blizzard, Judge Rick Sueyoshi, and Judge Larry Brown from the Sacramento County Superior Court, Dean Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker (McGeorge), and Associate Dean Vik Amar (UC Davis).

SABA New Year's Happy Hour:  January 6, 2010

SABA celebrated the new year with our friends from the Asian Bar Association, La Raza Lawyers, SacLEGAL (Sacramento  Lawyers for the Equality of Gays and Lesbians), and Wiley W. Manuel Bar Association.

 SABA Holiday Potluck:  December 3, 2009

SABA of Sacramento hosted a festive holiday potluck at the lovely home of board member Preeti Bajwa.

Unity Bar Dinner:  October 22, 2009

SABA of Sacramento presented a community service award to Niti Gupta for her working in helping to reduce youth violence in the Sacramento community, and a scholarship to UC Davis law student Rabia Paracha (pictured above with US District Court Judge Morrison England).

Second Annual SABA Diversity Law Student Reception:  September 19, 2009

SABA of Sacramento hosted its second annual diversity reception for law students from UC Davis, McGeorge, Lincoln, and Golden Gate at Shama Mesiwala’s home in Davis.  The reception, attended by over 100 people, provided law students from all backgrounds with an opportunity to mingle with judges and attorneys in a relaxed setting.  SABA was honored by the attendance of Presiding Justice Art Scotland from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Judge Morrison England from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California,  Judge Troy Nunley,  Judge Raoul Thorbourne, Judge Elena Duarte, Judge Thadd Blizzard, and Referee Carol Chrisman from Sacramento County Superior Court, and Dean Kevin Johnson from UC Davis School of Law.  The reception was generously underwritten by the law firm of Downey Brand LLP.

India Day:  August 15, 2009

SABA of Sacramento participated in the India Day celebration in Folsom, making available access to legal services for the South Asian community.

Second Annual SABA Wine Tasting:  July 22, 2009

SABA of Sacramento hosted its second wine tasting at 58 Degrees and Holding Co.  Joining with members of the Sacramento County Bar and other local bar associations, we sampled six different wines, enjoyed appetizers, and shared in conversation.

Panel Seminar for Solo Practitioners:  June 17, 2009

SABA of Sacramento held its first educational seminar for solo practitioners featuring Gaurav Kalra, Clifford Chigbu, and Keith Staten.  Our panelists offered tips for those already in solo practice as well as insights for those thinking about starting their own firms.  A big thank you to our panelists and attendees.  We also would like to especially thank Amar Shergill and the Shergill Law Firm who graciously hosted the event.

Second Annual SABA Midtown Potluck:  May 20, 2009

Friends and members of SABA of Sacramento shared dinner and conversation atop Niti’s lovely apartment rooftop for our second annual midtown potluck.  As a special treat, we sampled tropical dessert wines made locally by a friend of SABA of Sacramento.

SABA One-Year Anniversary Celebration:  March 25, 2009

SABA Sacramento celebrated its one year anniversary at Tandoori Wok, a local Indo-fusion restaurant, which graciously welcomed about sixty people with hot appetizers, food and drinks.  SABA members and friends found themselves inspired by the keynote speaker, Kunal Merchant, the chief of staff to Mayor Kevin Johnson.  Kunal Merchant connected the South Asian values of integrity, industriousness, and foresight that define us to the civic responsibilities that we each have to our community here in Sacramento and beyond.

SABA New Year’s Happy Hour:  January 22, 2009

SABA members and friends celebrated the new year fiesta-style at Zocalos Mexican restaurant in the heart of midtown Sacramento.

SABA Holiday Banquet:  December 3, 2008

SABA of Sacramento celebrated the holiday season at Gaylord Restaurant's banquet hall with a festive evening of food, drinks, and dialogue with guest speaker Chief Public Defender of Sacramento County, Paulino Duran.  He addressed the crowd of approximately 75 SABA and community members and spoke of our responsibility as members of the Bar to ensure the integrity of the Constitution and the education of our citizens on legal issues.

Unity Bar Dinner:  October 20, 2008

SABA of Sacramento was formally welcomed as the newest member of the Unity Bar of Sacramento at the Unity Bar’s annual dinner and awards ceremony.  SABA of Sacramento presented a community service award to Shama Mesiwala, one of SABA’s cofounders, and a scholarship to UC Davis law student Ayesha Sheikh.  Also honored with a scholarship by the Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento was UC Davis law student Ramaah Sadasivam.

SABA Voter Registration Drive/Interfaith Peace March:  October 11, 2008
 

SABA of Sacramento sponsored a voter registration drive at the Interfaith Peach March held at our State’s Capitol.   Our attorney volunteers spent the afternoon educating the community about the voting process, registering first time voters and helping previously registered voters update their voter registration information. We are happy to announce we registered nearly 50 new voters who are now eligible to vote in the November 2008 election!

First Annual SABA Diversity Law Student Reception:  September 20, 2008

SABA of Sacramento hosted itst first annual diversity reception for law students from UC Davis, McGeorge, Boalt, and Golden Gate at Shama Mesiwala’s home in Davis.  The reception, attended by over 80 people, provided law students from all backgrounds with an opportunity to mingle with justices, judges, and attorneys in a relaxed setting.  SABA was honored by the attendance of Justice Davis, Justice Nicholson, Justice Raye, Justice Hull, Justice Robie, and Justice Cantil Sakayue from the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, Presiding Judge Susan Harlan from Amador County, and Judge Raoul Thorbourne from Sacramento County.  The reception was generously underwritten by the law firm of Downey Brand LLP.

SABA Family Picnic:  August 9, 2008

SABA of Sacramento hosted a family picnic in Davis Central Park on a warm summer afternoon.  We sampled local fruits and vegetables from the farmer's market in the park and played kickball and Frisbee.  A few of us were even spotted climbing trees!

SABA Voter Registration Drive:  July 18, 2008

SABA of Sacramento sponsored our first voter registration drive at the Salam Center in Sacramento.  Members set up two voter registration tables, answered questions about the voter registration process, and signed people up to vote in the November election.

 SABA Wine Tasting:  July 16, 2008

SABA of Sacramento hosted its first wine tasting event at 58 Degrees and Holding Co. in midtown Sacramento.  About 20 of us sampled five different wines while nibbling on cheese, olives, and appetizers and mingling with one another at 58 Degrees’ cozy wine bar.

SABA and IVACC Joint Banquet:  June 12, 2008

SABA of Sacramento partnered with the Indus Valley American Chamber of Commerce (IVACC), an association of business owners and professionals in the greater Sacramento area, to host a dinner for an overflow crowd of approximately 100 people at Gaylord Restaurant’s banquet hall in midtown Sacramento.  The keynote speaker was Sanjiv Chopra, founder of Chopra Development Investments, Inc., a private commercial real estate and development company based in Modesto.  Mr. Chopra encouraged South Asian lawyers and business people to turn to one another when seeking legal advice and business development, stressing that collaboration between the two groups helps unite the community and forge strong business and social networks.

SABA Midtown Potluck:  May 8, 2008

SABA of Sacramento hosted a convivial group of South Asian attorneys on the rooftop patio of Niti Gupta's apartment complex in midtown Sacramento on a breezy Spring evening.  Over 20 of us shared food and conversation, reconnecting with familiar faces and introducing ourselves to new members.

SABA Kickoff Banquet:  March 13, 2008

SABA of Sacramento celebrated its incorporation with a kickoff banquet at Gaylord Restaurant's banquet hall in midtown Sacramento.  The keynote speaker was Ro Khanna, a lawyer with O’Melveny & Myers in San Francisco who chairs the Indian American Council for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  Mr. Khanna, who ran for Congress in 2004, urged members of SABA of Sacramento to get involved in the legislative and judicial branches of government, emphasizing that South Asians have much to offer, given their success as American immigrants both educationally and financially.  Mr. Khanna’s speech was followed by a lively discussion about these topics.