Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. and

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights

are pleased to announce the next lecture in our

Human Rights and National Security Speaker Series

Eliminating Bias in the Legal Profession

Post-September 11th 

presented by

Michele Garnett McKenzie

Thursday, November 20, 2003, 12:00-1:00 P.M.

at

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

4000 Pillsbury Center

200 South Sixth Street

Minneapolis, MN

This presentation is designed to help attorneys understand the new form of biases and hate crimes that Minnesota’s immigrant community is facing post-9/11 and to consider how these experiences may interfere with effective delivery of legal services or access to justice.  Participants will learn how to identify and eliminate from the legal profession and the practice of law biases against refugees and immigrants because of race, religion, national origin, etc... In particular, the session will provide practical advice to participating attorneys in order to assist them in identifying and eliminating bias within their practices.   One elimination of bias credit will be applied for.  Complimentary lunch will be provided to those who have pre-registered.

Michele Garnett McKenzie is the Director of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights’ Refugee & Immigrant Program, where she directs the pro bono Asylum Project, client services, and advocacy on legal issues affecting refugees and immigrants. She received her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, and her B.A. from Macalester College in Saint Paul. Prior to her work at Minnesota Advocates, Ms. McKenzie worked in private immigration practice in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Arizona and Nevada. She has served as an adjunct faculty member of William Mitchell College of Law and as co-chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association Human Rights Committee. She is a frequent lecturer on immigration and asylum law. Ms. McKenzie is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in the State of Minnesota and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

This human rights speaker series will be held on the third Thursday of each month throughout 2003.  Lectures are free and open to the public (registration required).  For more information, please contact Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.  You may find directions to Fredrikson & Byron at: www.fredlaw.com/contact.htm

Please R.S.V.P. to Rose Park at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights

by noon on Tuesday, November 18^th