The South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston (“SABA GB”), a chapter of the North American South Asian Bar Association (“NASABA”), congratulates Commissioner Navjeet K. Bal on her recent nomination and award of a 2008 NASABA Cornerstone Award. Commissioner Bal will receive her award in person at the 2008 NASABA annual convention to be held this year in Chicago, Illinois June 27-29, 2008
(www.nasabaconvention.org).

The Cornerstone Award is granted to individuals who, among other attributes, “serv[e] the legal interests of the South Asian community and the community at large [and] encourag[e] greater participation by the South Asian community in the legal profession and the government.” The other NASABA 2008 Cornerstone awardees are: Navneet Chugh, Esq., founder of NASABA; Steven Mayo, Esq., Executive Director of the Institute for the Study and Development of Legal Systems; the Hon. Rena Marie Van Tine, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; and Emilie Ninan, Esq., President of the South Asian Bar Association of Delaware and partner at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP.

In February of this year, Commissioner Bal was appointed by Governor Patrick’s administration to lead the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Commissioner Bal’s position is among the highest held by a South Asian in Massachusetts state government. Prior to becoming Commissioner, Ms. Bal worked for the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo from September 1989 until April 2007, specializing in public finance, state disclosure issues, state and federal tax law and structured financial transactions. Ms. Bal founded Mintz Levin’s Domestic Violence Project in 1990, is a board member and former
chairperson of the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center in Boston, and served from 2003-2005 on the executive committee for the statewide planning committee on delivery of legal services chaired by retired Chief Justice Herbert Wilkins, a group which worked to reorganize the delivery of legal services in Massachusetts.
 
“It is a particularly proud moment for Boston’s South Asian legal community,” commented Natasha Varyani, Vice President of the SABA GB. “Considering Commissioner Bal’s long-time commitment to public service and all that she has accomplished thus far, it is difficult to imagine a more fitting recipient for this award.”

Commissioner Bal’s recent appointment and receipt of this award exemplify the strides being made by South Asians in the legal community. For its part, SABA GB will continue to support the advancement of South Asians to leadership positions by providing mentoring and networking opportunities among its members and other affinity communities. For additional information please visit www.sabagb.org or contact Samia Kirmani, President, South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston, at kirmanis@jacksonlewis.com. For more information on, or to register for the upcoming NASABA convention, please visit www.nasabaconvention.org.

|