Thursday, May 23, 2013

Puerto Rican Bar Association's GALA 2013

The PRBA 56th Annual Gala was a great success!

There was great food, drinking and dancing!  

oh yeah... and the honorees were...

  • Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels
  • Raul Russi, CEO 
  • Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, PC
  • Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, LLP
  • Dr. Felix V. Matos Rodríguez
  • Goya  Foods,  Inc.


Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels
  • native New Yorker
  • first Latina Justice in NYS Appellate Division, First Department

Raul Russi
  • Chief Executive Officer of Acacia Network, Inc. 
  • the largest Puerto Rican-founded organization in New York
  • annual budget of more than 130 million in revenue and 200 million in asset dollars
  • Buffalo’s first Hispanic police officer and ultimately awarded the department’s Purple Heart when he was shot in the line of duty

Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, P.C.
  • represents landlords in residential and commercial actions and proceedings related to all aspects of real estate law  

Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP, 
  • one of the largest litigation firms in the country, represents clients in high-stakes lawsuits involving antitrust, banking, class actions, complex financial products, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, employment practices, and the list goes on...

Dr. Felix V. Matos Rodriguez
  • President of Hostos Community College    
  • former Secretary of the Department of the Family for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico managing an annual budget of $2.2 billion
  • Cum laude graduate of Yale University
  • published extensively in the fields of migration, women's, Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latino studies
  • his expert commentary has appeared in leading publications including New York Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Congressional Quarterly, Diario/La Prensa, list goes on...
  • social scientist

GOYA
ahhh!  What can you say about GOYA?  Si es bueno, tiene que ser Goya!

Well, did you know that GOYA is
  • the only company  to ever be honored by The President
    • During Hispanic Heritage Month, President Barack Obama honored Goya  for its continued success and commitment  to  the Hispanic community
    • The  following year, Goya collaborated with First Lady Michelle  Obama  and  the  USDA  to  launch MyPlate/ MiPlato  campaign,  a  national health initiative to help educate Americans on how to eat healthy. 
  • America’s  largest  Hispanic‐owned  food company  and  the  premier  source  for  authentic  Latin  cuisine
  •  over  2,200  high‐quality  and  affordable  food  products  from  the  Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Central and South America
  • over 15 facilities throughout the United  States,  Puerto  Rico,  Dominican  Republic  and  Spain
Some trivia, see if you can answer...

Who founded GOYA back in 1936?

Where, in what city, was the small storefront this family opened?

Click to see the answers:


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Latinas Con Vision

A special discussion and network reception for professional women, honoring the achievements of latinas in our community.  

Come learn from their inspiring stories, including out very own, Jennese Torres, network with other area professionals, and learn about career opportunities at New York Life.

Wednesday, May 29, at 5:30pm

Westchester Ballroom 
at DoubleTree Hotel Tarrytown
455 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

RSVP to Monica Martinez-Hess
914-373-1636 
monica_martinez@newyorklife.com

Seating is limited!  Call to reserve your spot today!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Our Very Own TORRES on the PRBA's Board

Congrats to our Founding Partner, Torres, for becoming part of the PRBA's Executive Board!

The PRBA, at the New York City Civil Court at 111 Centre Street, elected the Puerto Rican Bar Association's Officers and Directors for the 2013-2014 term. Together with current Board Members --  Catherine Torres, Neysa Alsina, Nilda Rivera, Frank Torres and Carmen Torrent -- will continue this past Board’s devotion to the PRBA and its mission through our hard work and commitment to you.

As highlighted by new President-Elect, Elba Galvan, she will work closely with our new President, Javier Vargas, in following in the steps of those who came before by acknowledging the challenges ahead  and accepting responsibility to reach out to more of our Latino colleagues throughout the state with a clear agenda for growth. The PRBA will work closer with other minority bar associations, will continue to work to obtain a permanent home for the PRBA and its members and our scholarship endowment. In addition, there will be new efforts to reach out to our youth by making a stronger commitment to current and future law students.

Please join me in congratulating them and to ensure the PRBA’s bright future!

Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq.
PRBA President 2012-2013


2013-2014 Election Results

President Elect
Elba Galvan, Esq.

Vice President
Carmen Pacheco, Esq.

Treasurer
Tara Zurheide, Esq.

Recording Secretary
Alexander Badillo, Esq.

Corresponding Secretary
Jennese Torres, Esq.

Board of Directors
Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Esq. (3 Year Term)
Carlos Perez-Hall, Esq. (3 Year Term)
Robinson Iglesias, Esq. (3 Year Term)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Obama nominates VERNON BRODERICK for the federal bench - the first Dominican!

President Obama nominated Vernon S. Broderick to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.“I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama.  “Vernon Broderick has a long and distinguished record of service, and I am confident he will serve on the federal bench with distinction.”
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer recommended Vernon Broderick to President Obama to serve on the bench of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Schumer laid out several reasons that Mr. Broderick would be an excellent fit for the job. Schumer said that Broderick’s excellent legal background and professional experience, strong ties to New York, intellect and demonstrated leadership skills make him an excellent choice for the District Court for the Southern District of New York.  Broderick would be the first judge of Dominican heritage on the federal bench in New York State. Mr. Broderick’s was born in New York City.  
Broderick's mother is from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and his father is from Jamaica.
“Throughout his career Vernon has shown a commitment to judicial fairness and to protecting the rights of all people,” said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “During his service on the board of LJP, Vernon has provided valuable leadership and commitment to the community and to our mission. I agree with the president that he will be a great addition to the bench.”
Vernon S. Broderick has been a partner at the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York City since 2005, having joined the firm as Counsel in 2002.  He concentrates his practice on white collar criminal cases, regulatory investigations, and business litigation.  In 2011, Broderick was appointed to the New York State Commission on Public Integrity by Governor Andrew Cuomo and in 2003 he was appointed to the Commission to Combat Police Corruption by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Broderick previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1994 to 2002 and was Chief of the Violent Gangs Unit from 1999 to 2002.  He began his legal career as an associate at Weil Gotshal & Manges from 1988 to 1994.  Broderick received his J.D. in 1988 from Harvard Law School and his B.A. in 1985 from Yale University.  He serves on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, now know n as Latino Justice.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Senate Confirms Judge Analisa Torres for Federal Bench

Torres Confirmation Adds Another Exceptional Female Jurist to Federal Bench

Gillibrand: “Judge Torres Is Extremely Well Qualified, Well Suited To Serve As Federal Court Judge”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that the U.S. Senate confirmed her second judicial nominee, Ms. Analisa Torres, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York.  Senator Gillibrand recommended her for the position last November in an effort to add another exceptional female jurist to the federal bench.

Judge Torres currently serves as Justice on the New York County Supreme Court, criminal term. Throughout her lifetime of public service and legal experience, the Honorable Analisa Torres has exemplified pragmatism, commitment to sound and fair reasoning, and a dedication to her community.

“Ms. Torres is a highly experienced and exceptional attorney, who is extremely well qualified to serve as a federal court judge,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Her breadth of knowledge, fair-mindedness, and deep commitment to public service make Judge Torres ideal to serve on the federal bench. I applaud my Senate colleagues for putting aside differences and confirming the type of consensus nominee we have in Judge Torres. I am confident Judge Torres will serve with the highest integrity and distinction.”

From 2004 to 2011, Judge Torres served on the New York County Supreme Court as an Acting Justice, having been appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman.  Prior to serving on the New York County Supreme Court, Judge Torres served as a Judge on the Civil Court of the City of New York from 2003 to 2004, and a Judge on the Criminal Court of the City of New York from 2000 to 2002. Judge Torres was also a law clerk to Justice Elliott Wilk from 1992 to 1999, and served as a Commissioner on the City Planning Commission from 1993 to 1995. She was an associate at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler from 1988 to 1992, an associate at Coudert Brothers from 1985 to 1987, and an associate at Kaye Scholer LLP from 1984 to 1985. Judge Torres was a teacher at De La Salle Academy from 1987 to 1988. Judge Torres is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree,  magna cum laude from Harvard College.

In addition to her professional work, Judge Torres currently chairs the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation, a role she has served in since 2007, after serving as a director there for almost a decade.

Today, women make up approximately 30% of the federal bench, according to the National Women’s Law Center. For the first time in history, that holds true in trial courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court. But Senator Gillibrand noted that we must continue moving forward. Only 66 women of color, including 25 Latina women, currently serve as active federal judges – out of the 750 active federal judges across the country, which is less than 10 percent.

In March of 2012, the U.S. Senate confirmed Senator Gillibrand’s very first judicial nominee, Ms. Ronnie Abrams, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Urbaez in the news: Verdict Postponed in Case Related to Police Shooting

Attorney Victor Urbaez with reporters
Victor Urbaez in the news:

northjersey.com:

LITTLE FALLS — A municipal court verdict was postponed Tuesday in the case of a Garfield man accused of harassing the Bergen County prosecutor during a probe of a police shooting.

“I had a situation in my personal life. I couldn’t review what I wanted to review,” Municipal Judge G. Dolph Corradino told Victor Urbaez, the attorney for the accused, Wayne Harper. No new court date was given Tuesday.




Thursday, May 2, 2013

Limited Time Only - $400 divorce

Divorce for only $400

Divorce for only $400, for a limited time only!



If your divorce is Uncontested with No Children and No Property and if Both Parties can sign together at our office, then the fee is:

$400.


Does not include court fees.


TUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTU


Divorcio por solo $400.

Divorcio de mutuo acuerdo sin hijos, ni sin propiedad, y ambos tienen que firman juntos en la oficina de nosotros.

$400.


No incluye gastos de la corte.


TUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTU





Certain restrictions apply*:

This special is for divorces in which there are:
1. NO children
2. NO property of any kind - NONE- even if you are in agreement
3. BOTH parties will sign together at the office.



If you're situation does not satisfy all 3, then the price is higher.

Please call about your specific divorce needs for a quote.
The quote usually may be done over the phone. For more complex cases a consultation is necessary. The consultation fee is $50.



Restricciones*:

Este especial es para un divorcio en cual:
1. NO tienen hijos
2. NO tienen propiedad ninguna- aunque estén de acuerdo

3. Los DOS van a firmar juntos en nuestra oficina



Si su situación no satisfecha los 3 requisitos, entonces el precio será más.

Por favor llámenos de su divorcio para una cuota.
La cuota usualmente se puede dar por teléfono. Para divorcios más complicados será necesario una consulta en la oficina. La consulta cuesta $50.


*Other restrictions may apply, including but not limited to: international marriages, out of state marriages, grounds must be irreconciliable differences. Otras restricciones pueden ser, incluyendo pero no limitados a: matrimonios internacionales, matrimonios de otro estados, bases legales para el divorcio tiene que ser 'mutuo acuerdo'