Washington, DC (October, 2011)
The South Asian Bar Association of Washington, DC (SABA-DC) is a voluntary bar association dedicated to the needs, concerns, and interests of the South Asian American legal community in the Washington, DC area. Founded in 2001, the association is known for providing legal awareness and community development, and regularly organizes panels, conferences, receptions, community outreach efforts, public service projects, mentoring programs, and a variety of other activities. Some of the key objectives of SABA-DC involve advancing professional development of South Asian American lawyers and law students, providing professional and social networking, and improving access to legal services for the South Asian American community. Its members benefit through professional development, area networking, referral services, and pro bono opportunities. Many of those involved are engaged in pro bono work, human rights, labor, and technology and environment issues/events.
Community Development
Throughout the recent years, SABA-DC has performed a high degree of community outreach, holding various projects that range from free immigration clinics, to fundraising events in support of flood disaster. In 2009, when more than 40 homes across Fairfax and Loudoun Counties were burglarized, the organization arranged town hall meetings for the victims of the crimes, who lost valuables that were estimated to be worth millions dollars. The meetings were aimed to assist the victims by providing counseling, as well as access to local attorneys.
Public Interest Fellowship Benefit Gala
On November 5th, 2011, SABA-DC will hold its third annual Public Interest Fellowship Benefit Gala. Held at the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Center, the gala will bring together attorneys, lobbyists, and other professionals from law firms, lobbying firms, corporations, government, academia, and non-profit organizations from the DC area. The event acts, in part, as a fundraising opportunity for SABA-DC’s Public Interest Fellowship, which provides financial assistance to law students of South Asian American descent working at public interest organizations in the metropolitan DC area. The number of Fellowships awarded, as well as the amount of each grant, will be determined based upon the results of the fundraising efforts, funds received from the national SABA chapter (NASABA), and the number of applicants received.
Top sponsors at this year’s event include Capital Novus and HSBC. A number of law firms and consulting firms will also participate as supporting sponsors. The turnout at the 2011 gala is expected to be the largest yet.
Learn more about the 2011 Public Interest Benefit Gala
Learn more about SABA-DC and how you can become a member.
