On March 30, 2018, Proskauer filed an amicus brief on behalf of New York University in the United States Supreme Court. The brief was filed in support of the State of Hawaii and its challenge to Proclamation 9645, the most recent version of the Trump Administration’s “travel ban.” The Proclamation at issue in the litigation sets significant restrictions on immigration from specified countries, most of which have a large Muslim-majority population. Both the Fourth Circuit and the Ninth Circuit have upheld injunctions preventing the Proclamation from fully taking effect.
Serving Our Community With the Bowery Mission
As part of our corporate social responsibility program at Proskauer, we focus on strategies to help improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
Since the Firm began its partnership with the Bowery Mission in December 2014, we have served over 4,000 meals and more than 150 volunteers have participated. The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879 and we appreciate being part of their transformative, compassionate care.
We enjoy making a difference together, and look forward to our next opportunity to serve meals and meet fellow New Yorkers at the Bowery Mission.
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Combating Online Sex Trafficking Around the Globe
Discussing the pervasiveness and impact of online sex trafficking and how to fight it, Proskauer hosted a seminar titled “Combating Online Sex Trafficking: Confronting Challenges, Forging Cooperation.” It is estimated that 50% of sex trafficking takes place online.
The event brought together global players in the fight against human trafficking including François Delattre, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations; Per-Anders Sunesson, Swedish Ambassador-at-Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons; Cyrus Vance, New York County District Attorney; Monique Villa, CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation; Yves Charpenel, Deputy State Prosecutor, the Supreme Court in France, and President, the Scelles Foundation; Valiant Richey, Prosecutor, King County, Washington; Mary Mazzio, Producer and Director, “I am Jane Doe”; and Angel Nguyen, Vice President of Compliance and Financial Crimes Solutions, Enigma.
John Jay College and the Power of Public Service
This past month, Proskauer launched a series of Lawyering for Social Justice Workshops at John Jay College in Manhattan. Attended mostly by pre-law students, the workshops explore specific examples of how lawyers in private practice can make a critical difference in society. We discussed challenges within our criminal justice system, and highlighted the pressing need for representation in certain civil matters, such as immigration, family, and housing court proceedings, where there is much at stake but no right to counsel for those who cannot afford a lawyer. We also discussed the role of impact litigation and reviewed specific cases brought recently by Proskauer. Finally, we explored various volunteer efforts, especially those involving education.
Helping the New Home for Hip Hop
Our client, The Universal Hip Hop Museum, which started two years ago as a “virtual” museum, will break ground in 2019 on a new 60,000 square foot facility in the birthplace of hip hop. The museum will open to the public in 2021, just a few blocks from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
UHHM was founded by hip hop pioneers Kurtis Blow, Ice-T, Shawn LG Thomas, Grand Wizard Theodore, among others, and is led by executive director Rocky Bucano. The museum will be the anchor of L+M Development Partners’ new megaproject, Bronx Point, on the South Bronx waterfront.
High School Students Deliberate at a Trial Workshop
Education is the springboard to a better life for children from underserved communities. Through Proskauer’s education initiatives, we aim to inspire students with the critical thinking and problem solving skills they will need for success. Our goal is to build relationships to motivate and inspire future leaders and help educate young people to their fullest potential. We recently had an opportunity to engage some of our students with some real-life drama and mystery through a mock trial.
Families Find Free Legal Help With LIFT
The fast pace of technological change has left the poor and unrepresented behind in many parts of America. But in New York State family courts, Proskauer lawyers are part of an exciting new pilot project spearheaded by the non-profit Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) which connects people representing themselves in family court with pro bono attorneys over a virtual platform.
LIFT screens the litigants, arranges the virtual meetings, trains the volunteer lawyers, and has experienced staff attorneys available to answer questions and handle any technical issues. The volunteer lawyers don’t need to leave their desks to provide legal advice and information to litigants who can connect from home or any quiet place with a laptop or smart phone. These videoconference sessions address child support, custody, and visitation, and are limited in scope and duration. The representation ends at the end of the virtual session.
