Since 1978, Human Rights First has worked to protect and promote fundamental human rights around the world. Human Rights First's Refugee Protection Program assists indigent refugees from all backgrounds who have fled persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and who are seeking asylum in the United States.

Many of these asylum seekers are in urgent need of legal representation to prepare their cases for adjudication by judges at the Immigration Court. Others need representation before the Asylum Office.

On Friday, October 21, 2011, Human Rights First will sponsor a training seminar for attorneys interested in becoming volunteers with our asylum legal representation program, and others interested in learning more about asylum law. The seminar will take place at the law firm of Gibbons P.C., which has generously donated the space for this training and will provide breakfast. Gibbons P.C. is located at One Gateway Center Newark, New Jersey 07102-5310, The training will begin promptly at 9:30am and will run until 12:00pm, with registration from 9:00am to 9:25am. An immigration judge, an asylum officer, a representative with experience in working with survivors of torture, and an attorney from Human Rights First will speak on techniques for representing asylum applicants and recent developments in asylum law.

CLE credit will be available. Please see below for details.

New Jersey - This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 2.6 hours of general CLE credit.

New York - This program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for 2.6 credit hours toward the Professional Practice requirement. This program is transitional.

The training is free of charge and no prior experience in immigration law is necessary. Participants should RSVP to RPP_NYEvents@humanrightsfirst.org by October 19, 2011.

Human Rights First is a non-governmental organization which works to promote international human rights and refugee protection. Human Rights First's Refugee Protection Program has played a leading role in advancing fairness and non-discrimination for those seeking asylum in the United States.