Firm also Receives Asian American Bar Association Public Service Award

(SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2011)-The Asian Law Caucus (ALC) honored the law firm of Reed Smith LLP April 29 for its many pro bono contributions to the ALC.  The award was presented at the ALC's 39th anniversary dinner, celebrating nearly four decades of direct legal services, community outreach, impact litigation and policy advocacy by the ALC on behalf of low-income, immigrant Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

"Reed Smith has been pleased to partner with the Asian Law Caucus on numerous projects throughout the years," says Steven Boranian, Pro Bono Partner for Reed Smith's San Francisco office. "The ALC is a top-flight organization that has made a meaningful difference in the community, and we are very happy that Reed Smith attorneys have had opportunities to be involved."

Currently, Reed Smith is serving as ALC's pro bono counsel in an ongoing effort to safeguard the First Amendment rights of all San Franciscans by encouraging the Police Commission to re-examine and enforce local policies regarding racial and religious profiling and other surveillance and intelligence gathering, solely on the basis of protected First Amendment activity.

The Reed Smith team, consisting of partner Linda Oliver, and associates Khurshid Khoja and Joshua Marker, has collectively contributed hundreds of hours by researching the history of these issues in San Francisco, assisting with drafting new language for policies that protect First Amendment rights, and participating in strategy sessions on the implementation of these policies. 

Mr. Khoja, an ALC Board member, also represented the ALC at meetings with the San Francisco Police Department and Police Commissioners, and testified before the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC), where he addressed state and local law on racial and religious profiling, surveillance and intelligence gathering.  Mr. Khoja was recently appointed to an HRC task force implementing related safeguards proposed by the HRC and endorsed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Earlier this year, Reed Smith Appellate Group leader Raymond Cardozo, partner Donna Doblick, and associate Paige Forster, co-authored an amicus brief in the matter of United States of America v. Mahmoud Reza Banki, on behalf of the Asian Law Caucus and a number of other organizations that promote constitutional rights with a specific focus on due process and equal protection.  The case involved a criminal prosecution based on the informal money transfer system, hawala, which is permitted under the regulatory framework governing U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Reed Smith also devoted hundreds of pro bono hours to a pioneering urban redevelopment project that became the ALC's new home in Chinatown.  Partner Theodore Ting and associate Carrie Collins represented the San Francisco Community Land Trust in its acquisition, financing, and successful rehabilitation of an historic building at 53 Columbus.

Last month, Reed Smith was further honored by The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) with its "Public Service Award," which is given to "organizations that have provided extraordinary service to AABA and that have supported the community in a significant way."  AABA was founded in 1976 to provide Asian American attorneys in the San Francisco Bay Area with a vehicle for the unified expression of opinions and positions on matters of concern to all Asian Pacific Americans.  Mr. Khoja, who currently serves as an AABA Director, and AABA Secretary Mr. Ting, accepted the award on Reed Smith's behalf.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,600 lawyers in 22 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises.  Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute-resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions.  Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education.  For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Greece

Middle East:  Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing