Jul., 2011 - Mecklenburg County Bar

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Volunteer Lawyer Program SPOTLIGHT Cynthia A. Aziz Cynthia A. Aziz has worked with the Washington, DC based group Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc (CLINIC) for many years to assist immigrants in complex immigration litigation or challenging family reunification situations. CLINIC was established in 1988 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to support a rapidly growing network of communitybased immigration programs. The network employs roughly 1,200 attorneys and paralegals who, in turn, serve 600,000 lowincome immigrants each year. Maria Odom, CLINIC executive director said “[Cynthia’s] experience and commitment to providing the very best representation to immigrants in need has served as inspiration to many immigration attorneys, including myself, throughout the years.” MCB VLP: Current Employer / number of years with current employer? CA: 21 years as principal and founder of Aziz Law Firm – Immigration Specialists MCB VLP: Area of Practice / Expertise? CA: US Immigration and Nationality Law MCB VLP: Law School? CA: Mount Holyoke College for BA and New England School of Law for J.D. MCB VLP: How did you discover Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc (CLINIC) CA: I have been familiar with CLINIC for many years as a resource in my practice through their national educational seminars and outstanding humanitarian work. I have been serving as a volunteer attorney in connection with CLINIC’s National Pro Bono Project for Children since 2009. This project is designed to provide pro bono representation to unaccompanied noncitizen children before the Immigration Court and the Department of Homeland Security. MCB VLP: What is a typical case / issue like? CA: There is no “typical” case. The fact patterns too often read like episodes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. My youngest currrent client was barely one year when he arrived in the U.S. with his then pregnant 17 year old aunt. His mother had been killed by my client’s grandfather in Honduras. With the help of an attorney in Brunswick County, Kim Smithwick, this now three year old is subject of a Custody Order which will permit this child to pursue special immigrant juvenile status. MCB VLP: How many of these types of pro bono cases do you typically handle at one time? CA: I am currently the lead attorney on three unaccompanied minor cases through CLINIC in addition to several other pro bono matters our firm is handling. Other current pro bono cases have come to me through Cabarrus County’s DSS (minor US citizen born outside the US who is currently in foster care), our local immigration court (mentally impaired Iraqi refugee) and our local volunteer attorney immigration court project (Mexican teenager who fears gang retribution in his home country). I have successfully solicited the assistance of several wonderful colleagues in the MCB to assist me in handling a couple of these cases. This team approach has made it feasible to take on more cases than I otherwise might. MCB VLP: How do you prepare for handling them? CA: When I am assigned cases from CLINIC, I receive detailed reports that contain case summaries including factual and procedural information. In addition, I can contact a staff attorney at CLINIC with questions, seek guidance and support. There is an abundance of information available through CLINIC’s website, as well as special webinars on immigrant children related issues. MCB VLP: Did you participate in any particular training so that you could handle these cases? CA: As a seasoned immigration practitioner Cynthia A. Aziz for more than 23 years, I have handled similar issues for other clients. However, the unique legal issues related to unaccompanied minors continue to evolve and there are special rules and exceptions distinct from generally rigid immigration procedural requirements. Therefore, it is important for even the most seasoned immigration practitioner to access the materials and mentoring resources available through CLINIC and local practitioners in related disciplines involving children’s issues. MCB VLP: What is your hope for the future with regard to these cases / issue? CA: My hope is that our legal community can find within its members some advocates for these children. Not all will be entitled to a legal remedy that will permit the children to remain in the US, but the goal is to find free legal help for these children so they are guaranteed a fair day in court. These children are truly among the most vulnerable newcomers to our country and region. MCB VLP: How can the Mecklenburg County legal community help with similar cases? CA: If you are interested in representing an unaccompanied child in our local Charlotte Immigration Court, please contact the National Pro Bono Immigrant Children’s Project by going to their site at cliniclegal.org/pro-bono-kids-volunteerform-attorneys. The projects coordinators will match you to a child who has a case before the Charlotte Immigration Court. www.MeckBar.org July 2011 11
Join a Section and Connect with Colleagues in Your Practice Area The Mecklenburg County Bar offers 11 sections to serve its members within particular fields. Each section sponsors Continuing Legal Education programs on topics requested by their membership and provides social, networking and educational opportunities for its members. For detailed information on activities of a specific section, please visit www.MeckBar.org or contact Mary Jordan Samuel, Director of Lawyer Volunteer & Community Service at mjsamuel@meckbar.org or 704/375-8624 ext.115. Business Law Offers informational and educational opportunities to business lawyers across a broad range of substantive areas, including banking, corporations and commercial law. Provides networking opportunities to its members in order to further the development of business lawyers in Mecklenburg County. Civil Litigation Offers an annual CLE on litigation skills, effective advocacy, electronic discovery, litigation practice specialties, mediation and arbitration skills. Promotes collegiality between the bench and Bar by hosting semiannual luncheons with local, state and federal judges. Corporate Counsel Hosts seminars, roundtable meetings and programs focused on problems of common interest, including corporation and antitrust law, attorney-client privilege, governmental regulation, law department administration and relations with outside counsel. Membership is limited to attorneys employed full-time in a corporation’s law department or in any executive, managerial or supervisory capacity. Criminal Justice Recognizes and addresses issues affecting all participants in the criminal justice system through educational programs on criminal procedure, divergent ethical obligations and heavy caseloads that include both domestic and civil cases Estate Planning & Probate Plans educational programs about substantive and procedural laws governing trusts, probate estates, guardianships, conservatorships and matters affecting estate planning and administration. Hosts luncheons to promote collegiality among section members and Mecklenburg County estate clerks. Family Law Keeps members informed of the ongoing changes and trends in the practice of family law in Mecklenburg County by planning monthly lunch and learn CLE programs. Works with the Family Court Administrator to inform family law attorneys of new legislation and court procedures. Immigration & Nationality Provides opportunities for attorneys practicing immigration law to meet with colleagues to discuss the issues they face in everyday practice. Collaborates with other practice sections to educate attorneys on immigration issues in different areas of practice. Participates in Citizenship Workshops throughout the year, held in conjunction with International House and the Latin American Coalition. Juvenile Law Provides opportunities for members to enhance professional practice and improve the outcomes of children and families in Abuse/Neglect/Dependent Court and DJJDP Court. Educational topics include trends in child welfare law, interface among juvenile court and schools and training in non-legal areas of child development/family dynamics, substance abuse/mental health treatment and domestic violence. Real Property Meets quarterly to discuss issues regarding real estate, housing and land use practitioners. Plans educational programs to further the knowledge of Section members in their practice. Provides information to Section and MCB members on legislative, finance, zoning, land-use laws, legal opinions and landlordtenant relations. Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Holds monthly luncheons with guest speakers to provide Section members the opportunity to network and discuss valuable lessons in maintaining a solo or small firm. Topics of interest include financial management, best hiring practices, employee benefits, immigration law, maintaining a small firm in a recession and more. Tax Offers educational programs on federal and local tax issues, including presentations by leading practitioners and key government officials in the field. Hosts roundtable discussions to provide networking and social opportunities while engaging in thoughtful conversation regarding current tax law issues. Any MCB member may enroll as a member of a section by the payment of annual section dues. Annual dues (each section) - $25; ADA/APD dues (each section) - $10; Judicial dues - $0. To join a section, visit www.MeckBar.org, see your annual dues invoice or call 704/375-8624. Upcoming Events 7-21-11 Memorial Service for George L. Fitzgerald 1:30 p.m., Mecklenburg County Courthouse - Courtroom 5370 Friends and colleagues are encouraged to attend and, if desired, say a few words in celebration of Mr. Fitzgerald’s life. 8-25-11 Memorial Service for Solomon Levine 1:30 p.m., Mecklenburg County Courthouse - Courtroom 5370 Friends and colleagues are encouraged to attend and, if desired, say a few words in celebration of Mr. Levine’s life. 12 July 2011 www.MeckBar.org
Page 1 and 2: MECKLENBURG COUNTY BAR 438 Queens R
Page 3 and 4: From The President Robert C. Dortch
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Jul., 2011 - Mecklenburg County Bar

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