My Work News: Micronesian Legal Services Palau's New Attorney, Mana Barari
New MLSC Attorney is Committed to Serving the Community
WRITTEN BY JOSE RODRIGUEZ T. SENASE
THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2015 23:45
The Micronesian Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) office in Palau has a new lawyer. Mana Barari, an Iranian-American attorney from San Francisco, is the newest addition to MLSC-Palau.
Barari started working at MLSC two months ago as a Staff Attorney and Senior Regional Advocate for Vulnerable Workers at MLSC. She replaced long-time MLSC lawyer Scott Hess, who is now working at Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
The MLSC is a non-profit corporation established in 1970 to provide low income persons in Micronesia with free legal assistance in civil matters. Its service area covers islands scattered through an area that is approximately three thousand miles from east to west and one thousand miles from north to south, which is larger than the continental United States geographic area.
MLSC is governed by a nine member board of directors and has offices in four countries: the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
MLSC staff has been working for over 40 years to improve the lives of people throughout Micronesia by helping people solve important legal problems.
In an interview, Barari said she became interested in MLSC because of the unique fusion of the American legal system with a more traditional society, and also because of her background and interest in workers’ rights. Before coming to Palau, Barari worked at a small employee rights firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, and was involved in the progressive legal community.
As part of her previous work, Barari also handled several class action suits for immigrants and low-wage workers. She has also worked with civil rights and refugee organizations in the past. “I’ve committed myself to advocating for those who need it most, and to protect their fundamental rights,” she disclosed.
A graduate of the New York University (NYU) School of Law, Barari is licensed to practice Law in California and New York.
Barari said aside from handling various cases and representing clients in court, she also plans to conduct outreach and advocacy on labor issues and other important matters.
She said that it is important for workers, especially migrant workers here, to know about their rights and to have access to enforce them.
Barari also pointed out that as Palau continues to develop, especially with increased tourism, more labor issues will arise. “As it continues to grow, Palau will need to develop and enforce stronger labor standards so that everyone can benefit from decent and stable work conditions,” she emphasized.
Aside from labor cases, Barari is also currently handling ‘garden variety’ legal services cases, including family law matters and collections cases.
Barari is originally from Los Angeles, where her parents immigrated from Iran during the 1979 Revolution.
Barari moved to Palau with her fiancé, who is an environmental engineer at EQPB. Barari said she is enjoying her time in Palau. “I find Palau very beautiful and what I’m learning about the culture is very interesting,” she stressed. “Most people here are so kind and welcoming, and you get to know everyone really quickly. I’ve never lived in such a small place, so it’s a really unique experience!” She added.
http://www.islandtimes.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056:new-mlsc-attorney-is-committed-to-serving-the-community-&catid=8:latest-news&Itemid=1
WRITTEN BY JOSE RODRIGUEZ T. SENASE
THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2015 23:45
The Micronesian Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) office in Palau has a new lawyer. Mana Barari, an Iranian-American attorney from San Francisco, is the newest addition to MLSC-Palau.
Barari started working at MLSC two months ago as a Staff Attorney and Senior Regional Advocate for Vulnerable Workers at MLSC. She replaced long-time MLSC lawyer Scott Hess, who is now working at Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
The MLSC is a non-profit corporation established in 1970 to provide low income persons in Micronesia with free legal assistance in civil matters. Its service area covers islands scattered through an area that is approximately three thousand miles from east to west and one thousand miles from north to south, which is larger than the continental United States geographic area.
MLSC is governed by a nine member board of directors and has offices in four countries: the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
MLSC staff has been working for over 40 years to improve the lives of people throughout Micronesia by helping people solve important legal problems.
In an interview, Barari said she became interested in MLSC because of the unique fusion of the American legal system with a more traditional society, and also because of her background and interest in workers’ rights. Before coming to Palau, Barari worked at a small employee rights firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, and was involved in the progressive legal community.
As part of her previous work, Barari also handled several class action suits for immigrants and low-wage workers. She has also worked with civil rights and refugee organizations in the past. “I’ve committed myself to advocating for those who need it most, and to protect their fundamental rights,” she disclosed.
A graduate of the New York University (NYU) School of Law, Barari is licensed to practice Law in California and New York.
Barari said aside from handling various cases and representing clients in court, she also plans to conduct outreach and advocacy on labor issues and other important matters.
She said that it is important for workers, especially migrant workers here, to know about their rights and to have access to enforce them.
Barari also pointed out that as Palau continues to develop, especially with increased tourism, more labor issues will arise. “As it continues to grow, Palau will need to develop and enforce stronger labor standards so that everyone can benefit from decent and stable work conditions,” she emphasized.
Aside from labor cases, Barari is also currently handling ‘garden variety’ legal services cases, including family law matters and collections cases.
Barari is originally from Los Angeles, where her parents immigrated from Iran during the 1979 Revolution.
Barari moved to Palau with her fiancé, who is an environmental engineer at EQPB. Barari said she is enjoying her time in Palau. “I find Palau very beautiful and what I’m learning about the culture is very interesting,” she stressed. “Most people here are so kind and welcoming, and you get to know everyone really quickly. I’ve never lived in such a small place, so it’s a really unique experience!” She added.
http://www.islandtimes.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1056:new-mlsc-attorney-is-committed-to-serving-the-community-&catid=8:latest-news&Itemid=1