Candidate for Director:
Glicel Sumagaysay
I’m Glicel Sumagaysay of Law Office of Glicel Sumagaysay.
As an immigrant, who came to America when she was 2 years old, my family and I underwent experiences similar to those of other immigrant families: being seen as foreigners and outsiders, looked down upon, discriminated against, not counted, not heard, not valued or recognized for their efforts and contributions, not included, not seen as equals, not getting what they are entitled to, and not thriving for years at the beginning of our American lives.
My grandparents helped raise my sisters and me while my parents were working as hard as they could in sometimes, multiple jobs. My grandfather had to take low-paying jobs in comparison to his high-up positions in the Philippines. He was one of the WWII veterans who didn’t get the promised benefits despite fighting for the U.S. I do the work I do, in part, to help the many like me and my family not have to go through the same experiences.
As a lawyer, I’m in a position to do that. As an Asian American judge-friend urged in a speech, “if you can help, help”. Primarily, that is my goal and what I plan to do as a director for FBANC Clinics.
As a director for Clinics, I aim to provide our Filipino American community with knowledge and tools to obtain what they are entitled to under the law and as human beings.
To accomplish this, I plan to work with co-director, William Walraven, to prepare and release educational programming and content to our Filipino community regarding their rights in various areas of law. Specifically, at least once per quarter, I plan to hold virtual and in-person events (as permitted) at which attendees can get brief legal assistance and resources, and ask questions of panelists who present on specific topics. I’d also like to explore the possibility of preparing brief (2-4 minute), and maybe longer, “Know Your Rights” videos on topics that affect Filipino Americans most. To the extent permitted, I envision uploading these videos to FBANC’s website or YouTube channel or any place the Filipino community can best access the information. My hope is that these programs will help solve problems of those in our Fil-Am. community as well as urge them to stand up for themselves.
As a director generally, I aim to support and uplift our FBANC board, committees and the AAPI legal community so we can grow professionally and, in turn, serve our clients as best as possible.
To do this, I plan to feature volunteers in our legal community and FBANC membership in all of the programing discussed above. Our members will be able to showcase their skills, network with the AAPI community, and gain referral and collaboration partners. Depending on the mediums on which we host our programs, the reach can be wide and can result in broad exposure for our members and their practices. Further, I plan to market and highlight our volunteer members for their time, efforts, and skills in all marketing materials, invitations and web-blasts for the programs.
Also as to the above goals, as I’m doing with other organizations of which I am a member, I plan to collaborate with organizations in co-sponsoring the above programs and events, as well as CLE programs that can help our members grow professionally.
As an employment attorney, educating workers about their rights in the workplace is significant to me. As Vice Chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association’s Worker Outreach Committee (CELA WO), I work with our members to release digestible, relatable YouTube videos, and prepare Know Your Rights events and webinars, which inform workers of their rights in different workplace scenarios. I try to broker collaborations with local bar associations, such as Alameda County Bar Association and its Disaster Legal Relief efforts in releasing relevant videos about topics like Workers’ Leave Rights During Disasters. As a member of the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA) and its Civic Engagement Committee, I help prepare programs and events that discuss issues affecting the AAPI women and women lawyer community, such as an upcoming Know Your Rights event on Equal Pay and Pay Transparency.
Similarly, I plan to collaborate and seek co-sponsorships with CELA WO, APAWLA, AAPI organizations, and others for the FBANC clinics and programs discussed above. Additionally, I’d like to support other FBANC committees’ programs by seeking co-sponsorships with other organizations if they choose.
Thank you for your consideration.