Event Description
SPONSORS:
The MN/Dakotas AILA Chapter Pro Bono Committee
MSBA
Immigration Section
Ballard Spahr LLP
This free bias CLE breakfast sponsored by
the MSBA Immigration Law Section, the Pro Bono Committee of the MN/Dakotas AILA Chapter
and Ballard Spahr LLP is to celebrate lawyers who have provided pro bono
service for immigration clients. Speakers will provide information and best
practices guidance for working with Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing clients,
in particular those navigating an immigration process.
Breakfast and registration begin at 8:30 AM. The
program will begin at 8:45 AM.
Location:
IDS Tower,
3rd Floor Conference Center
80 South 8th Street
Minneapolis,
MN 55402
Speakers:
Aaron Gutzke is the Executive Director of
ThinkSelf. He leads ThinkSelf in providing learner- and survivor-centered
services. Aaron believes that multidisciplinary collaboration is the key to
removing barriers and generating innovative advocacy, education and arts
opportunities. Throughout his career, Aaron has worked to ensure access for all
and most recently received the University of Minnesota’s 2017 Polaris Award for
Disability Rights & Advocacy. Aaron holds a Master’s degree from the
Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and graduated
from Gallaudet University with a Bachelor’s in English and Secondary Education.
He enjoys spending his spare time with his husband and doting on his sassy
Corgi/Black Lab Mix, Percival Stackhouse.
Alison M. Olson Cox is a Staff
Attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, where she practices immigration law. Alison
handles a wide variety of immigration matters for including complex
naturalization cases, court representation, and immigration benefits for
survivors of domestic violence. Her experience has allowed her to work with
diverse immigrant communities learning the needs of these specific groups along
the way. She received her JD from William Mitchell College of Law in 2006 and
started practicing immigration law shortly thereafter. While in law school
Alison participated in the immigration law clinic working on cases involving
domestic assault victims. Alison also worked as a law clerk for Southern
Minnesota Regional Legal Services where she handled immigration, housing and
other cases affecting migrant farm workers. She earned her undergraduate degree
in International Business and Spanish from the University of Colorado.
Jimmy Beldon, CDI, MA, has been a leader
in the interpreting field and a mentor to other interpreters for many years. A
native of Deaf culture and American Sign Language, as well as a trained and
certified interpreter, Jimmy has gained prominence as a communication specialist
and certified deaf interpreter throughout the court system. He also provides
consulting on issues of deaf culture, communication needs, and working with deaf
immigrants and/or refugees. Jimmy specializes in consulting on interpreting and
teaches at St. Catherine University’s Interpreter Training Program on the St.
Paul campus. Jimmy served on a national board for interpreters for 8 years and
continues to volunteer his time to the National Registry of Interpreters,
(RID).
Fardowsa Mohamed Ali was born in
Mogadishu, Somalia. She is the only deaf person in her family. Fardowsa was born
into a life of violence, isolation, and hardship. While the country was in
turmoil with the civil war, poverty, and oppression; Fardowsa lost many of her
family members. Fardowsa's sister was able to move to United States to escape
the war-torn countries. Her sister worked to work with the authorities to bring
Fardowsa to America as well. After moving to the United States, Fardowsa
immersed herself in the American culture, learned American Sign Language and
enrolled in the Deaf Adult Basic Education program. Fardowsa obtained her
Citizenship in 2011. Fardowsa also obtained her driver’s license, which is
unheard of in her home country. Today, Fardowsa works for Amazon. In her spare
time, she volunteers countless hours for the Deaf Muslim communities. She is a
founder of the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community. She also serves on boards of two
non-profit organizations, Deaf Equity and Minnesota Association of Deaf
Citizens.
Patty McCutcheon, CSC, SC:L, BSM, is well
known in the interpreting field as a model and mentor to interpreters in
specialty areas. Patty has taught legal interpreting, performing arts
interpreting, corporate board interpreting and post-secondary interpreting to
students and practicing interpreters. In addition to her 31 years of community
interpreting experience, Patty has 25 years as a coordinator of interpreters in
post-secondary settings. A native of Wisconsin, Patty has served the Wisconsin
Registry of Interpreters, (WisRID) for 10 years as Treasurer, President and Past
President. Upon moving to Minnesota she joined the Minnesota Registry of
Interpreters (MRID) and has served as Treasurer.
CLE Credits:
1.5 Elimination of Bias CLE Credits approved | Event Code: 272785
Cost:
Free for all attendees.
Remote Participation:
Remote participation is not available.
Want more information about the Immigration
Law Section?
To register with a check, please mail in this registration form.
Need to cancel? Please see our cancellation policy.
Questions? Contact Kayla Erbach
| 612-278-6325
The MSBA is committed to creating an inclusive
environment in which all members can participate fully. If you need reasonable
accommodations to participate in this event, please notify Kayla Erbach. Please
provide notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to allow sufficient
time to make arrangements for accommodations.