South Asian Bar Association (with chapters all across the US)
http://www.southasianbar.org
In 1993, one attorney recognized the need for an organization to marshal the small, but growing, number of South Asians entering the legal profession. Working from a local attorney directory, Mukesh Advani invited attorneys with "South Asian sounding" names to a meeting to discuss the formation of a new bar association. In June 1993, a small group met in a San Francisco restaurant and formed the Indo-American Bar Association. To ensure that all South Asians participate in the growth of the organization, in 1999 the Indo-American Bar Association. of Northern California formally changed its name to the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California.
From a handful of attorneys in 1993, SABA today has grown to a membership of over 400. As the number of South Asians in the legal profession has grown, so too has SABA's presence in the Northern California legal community. Today, SABA members practice in public interest organizations, government legal departments, and from solo to AmLaw 100 private law firms throughout Northern California.
SABA's utility to its members and the wider community has always depended upon the drive of its members. For example, Mukesh Advani and Manuela Albuquerque were instrumental in establishing our hate crimes hotline. Monty Agarwal was the force for establishing the Foundation that now maintains the hotline. Manuela Albuquerque undertook to organize the voter registration drive that SABA backed in 2000. As the foregoing demonstrate the shape of SABA depends upon the efforts of its members, i.e., members like YOU.
Legal Clinic
Volunteer Attorneys with the Pro Bono Project (www.probonoproject.org) offer free 20 minute legal consultations to the public every Sunday from 10-12 p.m. at ICC Milpitas. The attorneys provide basic legal information during the consultations. The program - known as “Lawyers in the Library” - helps guide participants in the right direction to find answers to their legal questions. The attorneys mainly help with resources and basic guidance, not actual representation. Every second Sunday, an immigration attorney is present to answer immigration related questions. For information please contact LegalClinic@IndiaCC.org.
"Lawyers in the Library": Free Consultations
The MCA Legal Clinic provides free 20-minute legal consultation sessions to all Bay Area residents who need legal advice. This service is provided in collaboration with the Pro Bono Project of Silicon Valley’s “Lawyers in the Library” program.
We have over 20 volunteer attorneys that have expertise in areas such as immigration, business, family/divorce, court appearances/litigation, employment, landlord-tenant, small claims, personal injury, consumer law/bankruptcy/debt, civil rights, and wills/estates/trusts.