Filipino Lawyers in Chicago

By: Mark Javier

 

On January 13, 2014, the Filipino American Lawyers Association (FALA) of Chicago installed its inaugural Board of Directors and Executive Officers. Establishment of formal governance for this organization has been much anticipated and allows FALA Chicago to orchestrate its mission in a more official manner. FALA Chicago is an affiliate member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA). Both groups strive to advance the interest of Filipino attorneys and Filipino community issues through professional development, legal advocacy and community outreach. NFALA utilizes a broad national network of Filipino American lawyers that stretches from California to New York, while FALA Chicago focuses its efforts locally to make an impact in the Midwest and Chicagoland area. The Board of Directors are: Michael Aguhar (Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment(AFIRE)), Fred Agustin (Cook County Board of Review, Commissioner Michael A. Cabonargi), Marjorie Baltazar (Sidley Austin LLP), Mark Calaguas (Attorney at Law), Rudy Figueroa (Mitsui), Jasmine Hernandez (Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office), Mark A. Javier (The Javier Law Firm, PC), Winnie Kantaris (Anderson, McCoy and Orta), Rachel Mercer (Cremer Spina Shaughnessy Jasen and Siegert, LLC), Kristine Quema (Attorney at Law), Carol Y. Sales (Bauch & Michaels, LLC), Zenia Salles (Holland & Knight), Anna Sutti (Jenner & Block LLP), Maricar Tinio (Cumulus Data, Inc.), Dennis Ventura (Tressler LLP). The Executive Officers are: Mark A. Javier (President), Jasmine Hernandez (Vice President), Zenia Salles (Treasurer) and Kristine Quema (Secretary). These dedicated attorneys have committed themselves to cultivating an association of lawyers that will promote the advancement of Filipinos in the legal profession; build camaraderie amongst the Filipino legal community; provide accessible high quality legal representation to the Filipino community; expose Filipino professionals and the Filipino community to big business and hot button issues; advocate for legislation, policies and reform beneficial to Filipino American interests; and develop leaders in the law, community and politics. FALA Chicago looks forward to exploring joint ventures with all members of the Filipino community: business, cultural, community service, etc. FALA Chicago, along with NFALA, has already acted to urge political leaders to grant temporary protected status (TPS) designation to the Philippines as a humanitarian aid measure responding to the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. FALA Chicago has written urgent letters to members of Congress, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and other government entities requesting this designation. NFALA members have held press conferences, met with high-ranking government officials and submitted legal memoranda in support of granting TPS. FALA Chicago members practice in a wide array of legal fields, including criminal law, corporate transactions, corporate in-house counsel, business litigation, nonprofit, government, immigration, real estate, and much more. The association encourages Filipinos to seek legal services within the Filipino legal community and communicate any legal issues or concerns that may be of importance to Filipinos. FALA Chicago’s general information email address is falachicago@gmail.com, and more information can be found on Facebook, Twitter (@FALAChicago) and LinkedIn. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions contained in this column are solely those of the author, and do not express the views and opinions of VIA Times, its publisher, or any other employee or contributor of the publication. Nothing in the column is intended to be legal advice or counsel, and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and author. Every legal case is unique and requires professional evaluation on a case-by-case basis. This column is not meant to replace the sound legal analysis ofindividual consultation with an attorney, and is meant for informational purposes only. If you have concerns about your legal rights or are faced with legal action, consult a licensed attorney.