Iranian American Bar Association
Encyclopedia
The Iranian American Bar Association ("IABA") was formed in 2000 in the District of Columbia and is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
IABA is a non-religious, independent organization and is not in any way affiliated with any other organization. IABA is not a lobbying or advocacy group, but primarily an educational organization. As such, IABA seeks to educate and inform the Iranian American community about legal issues of interest, and to ensure that the American public at large as well as our representatives and other government officials are fully and accurately informed on legal matters of interest and concern to the Iranian American community. In addition, IABA strives to publicize and promote the achievements of Iranian American lawyers and other legal professionals.
As a 501(c)(3) organization all contributions to IABA are tax deductible.
, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
, Perkins Coie
, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
, Morrison & Foerster, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
, Baker & McKenzie
, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
.
Background
IABA is organized for charitable, educational, and professional purposes, including promoting the social, economic, professional and educational advancement of the Iranian American community, and the community at large. While headquartered in Washington D.C., IABA is a national organization seeking to expand professional and community relationships by establishing local chapters throughout the United States. Starting with four founding members, IABA's membership has grown to over 1200 attorneys and law students nationally, with a particularly strong presence in Washington D.C., New York City, and California, but with members also from many other states. IABA recruits the most distinguished members of the Iranian American legal community as its Directors and Officers, and upholds the highest levels of professional integrity and excellence.IABA is a non-religious, independent organization and is not in any way affiliated with any other organization. IABA is not a lobbying or advocacy group, but primarily an educational organization. As such, IABA seeks to educate and inform the Iranian American community about legal issues of interest, and to ensure that the American public at large as well as our representatives and other government officials are fully and accurately informed on legal matters of interest and concern to the Iranian American community. In addition, IABA strives to publicize and promote the achievements of Iranian American lawyers and other legal professionals.
As a 501(c)(3) organization all contributions to IABA are tax deductible.
Programs and Activities
- Official Publications: Annual IABA Review addressing important legal issues of interest to the Iranian-American community; working group documents on specific legal questions and issues; and a bi-monthly e-Newsletter
- Pro Bono Representation: Assists countless number of indigent individuals and non-profit organizations secure legal representation for their matters
- Continuing Legal Education: Obtained CLE accreditation in California to provide programs on continuing legal education
- Panels with Prominent Speakers: Hosted prominent speakers, including Nobel Laureate Shirin EbadiShirin EbadiShirin Ebadi is an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's,...
(New York), Congressman Howard BermanHoward BermanHoward Lawrence Berman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He earlier served in the California State Assembly from 1974 to 1982, and as the U.S...
(Los Angeles), Superior Court Judge Susan Etezadi (Northern California) and Former Assistant Secretary of State Goli AmeriGoli AmeriGoli Ameri is an Iranian-American diplomat, politician and businesswoman from the U.S. state of Oregon. She is the current Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She is also the former U.S...
(Washington, D.C.)
- Community Outreach: Hosts courses around the nation on important legal issues, including developing a living trust, intellectual property law and patent applications, adjustment of status for visa-holders, and criminal law issues
- IABA Scholarship: Issues one or more scholarships each year to law students in good standing enrolled in an accredited law school in the United States.
- Public Interest Fund: Established a public interest fund to award attorneys working for the interest of the community
- Social and Business Networking: Hosted dinners and business networking programs for lawyers and law students
- Government Relations: Held direct meetings with the US Department of State and US Department of Treasury to discuss issues impacting Iranian-Americans. On August 25, 2010, IABA announced that it would file an amicus curiaeAmicus curiaeAn amicus curiae is someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it...
brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
on United States v. BankiUnited States v. BankiOn January 7, 2010, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that naturalized U.S. citizen Mahmoud Reza Banki, born in Iran, had been arrested for criminal violations of the Iran Trade Embargo. On March 17, 2010, the US Attorney filed an indictment in United States...
. It has also hired lawyers to request further guidance from OFAC on import of goods from Iran.
Leadership
Each year the Iranian American Bar Association convenes an annual membership meeting during which IABA members in good standing review the organization's accomplishments during the past year, help identify objectives for the coming year and elect a new Board of Directors. IABA has recruited distinguished members of the Iranian American legal community as members of its Board of Directors and as its Officers, who uphold the highest level of professional integrity and excellence. Currently, IABA's board and an advisory board includes lawyers from several American Lawyer 100 firms, including Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a law firm in the United States that specializes in business, securities, and intellectual property law. The firm's Chairman, Larry Sonsini, is well known as an attorney and advisor to technology companies....
, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
Paul Hastings LLP, formerly known as Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, is a leading international law firm with 18 offices worldwide. Paul Hastings serves a diverse client base that includes many of the top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies....
, Perkins Coie
Perkins Coie
Perkins Coie is an international law firm based in Seattle, Washington. It has been listed on the Fortune Magazine "100 Best Places to Work in America" for the past nine years. It is noted for its intellectual property, Labor and Employment, and Products Liability practice groups, and for its...
, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, which also goes by the shorter market name WilmerHale, is an American law firm with twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia. It was created in 2004 through the merger of the Boston-based firm Hale and Dorr and the Washington-based firm Wilmer Cutler...
, Morrison & Foerster, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates , founded in 1948, is a prominent law firm based in New York City. With over 2,000 attorneys, it is one of the largest and highest-grossing law firms in the world. Forbes magazine calls Skadden "Wall Street's most powerful law firm"...
, Baker & McKenzie
Baker & McKenzie
Baker & McKenzie is an international law firm, founded in Chicago in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. It is home to more than 3,800 lawyers spread over 70 offices in 42 different countries....
, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a global law firm, founded in Los Angeles in 1890. The firm is one of the most prestigious and selective in the nation, and ranks among the most successful firms globally. Gibson Dunn has nearly 1,000 attorneys and over 2,000 staff located in 17 offices around the world,...
.
Past IABA Presidents
- 2001-2002: Babak Hoghooghi
- 2002-2003: Babak Hoghooghi
- 2003-2004: Babak Hoghooghi
- 2004-2005: Babak Hoghooghi
- 2005-2006: John Radsen
- 2006-2007: John Radsen
- 2007-2008: Robert Babayi
- 2008-2009: Nema Milaninia
- 2009-2010: Nema Milaninia
- 2010-2011: Karen Ostad
- 2011-2012: Nahal Iravani-Sani
See also
- Bar AssociationBar associationA bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
- List of Iranian Americans
- Iranian American Organizations
- Iranian citizens abroadIranian citizens abroadThe term Iranians abroad or Iranian diaspora refers to the Iranian people born in Iran but living outside of Iran with their children.As of 2010, there are an estimated four to five million Iranians living abroad, mostly in North America, Europe, Persian Gulf States, Turkey, Australia and the...