venusinthenews

[venusinthenews]

May 2, 2024

Earlier this month, alumni from across the decades came together, networked, and learned the ins-and-outs of financial planning for attorneys. Attendees gathered for refreshments and then attended a presentation on retirement planning strategies, planning for aging parents & families, tax reduction strategies, student loan repayment strategies, estate planning strategies, and budgeting.

A special thanks to Angela Torregoza ’12, who helped bring the event run by SideBar Advisors to our alumni community.

[venusinthenews]

Join the conversation as Angela Torregoza, a New York City-based immigration attorney with a personal immigration story, shares her expertise on the lifeline that is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the intricacies of family petitions. Angela's own journey fuels her passion for guiding clients through the complexities of immigration law, and in this episode, she offers a beacon of hope for those feeling entrapped in abusive relationships. Discover how VAWA can be the key to a new beginning, enabling abused foreign nationals to seek permanent residency and escape the shadows of manipulation and control.

The challenges facing immigrant individuals in abusive situations are daunting, but there are steps one can take and resources available that can make all the difference. Angela walks us through the process of safeguarding important documents and crafting a safety plan, while highlighting the sanctuary that embassies can provide. We also delve into the evidence required for successful immigration applications, from psychological evaluations to personal affidavits, and discuss how to navigate the system without re-traumatization. It's an eye-opening look at the victim-centered approach of the immigration system and the community support that can pave the way to independence.

Empowerment and recovery are core themes as Angela underscores the importance of community resources like Safe Horizon and Legal Aid Society for those without financial means. Learn about the emotional support offered by support groups and therapy, and how documenting experiences of abuse can be approached with sensitivity and care. We wrap up with a call to action for raising awareness of VAWA's provisions, not only to aid victims but also to foster understanding and support within the community. This episode is not just an informative session, but a heartfelt guide through the path to recovery and autonomy for those most vulnerable.

Also on IHeart.com

[venusinthenews]

Join two immigration pros for this run-down on the basics for non-immigration attorneys. Our presenters will introduce you to immigration law terminology (immigration status, visas, unlawful presence) and will provide an overview of the immigration process (relevant government agencies,  temporary visas, paths to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship). They will also discuss key points where matrimonial, criminal defense and personal injury attorneys may be able to better assist and protect their clients (prenups and divorces, crime victims, etc).

Presented By:

Marcella Marucci, Esq.

Angela Torregoza, Esq.

[venusinthenews]

[New Tang Dynasty News, April 7, 2024, Beijing time]

On the evening of April 6, the American Shen Yun Global Performing Arts Troupe’s fifth performance at Lincoln Center in New York City continued to be sold out. The atmosphere was extremely warm, with constant applause and cheers. The audience admired Shen Yun for inheriting culture, showing the truth, and marveled at the unstoppable power of kindness and beauty.

Law firm owner Angela Torregoza: "I love Shen Yun. This is really great. It is amazing to be able to understand traditional Chinese culture, which we have never been exposed to before. Thank you Shen Yun." On the evening of April 6, 2024, law firm owner Angela Torregoza watched the fifth performance of Shen Yun Universal Performing Arts at the David Kirk Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. (New Tang Dynasty Television)

[venusinthenews]

[venusinthenews]

Immigration attorney Angela Torregoza and RIF members celebrate asylum seeker Mamadou’s asylum victory!

[venusinthenews]

Masters in Nana Deleplanque’s lineage:

Anne Pastor, Aix en Provence

France Steve Leto, New York City, NY

Hunt Paar, Brooklyn, NY

Ilka Werner, Germany

Georgia Andrews, Beacon, NY

Heidemarie Holmes-Heiss, Montpelier, VT

Yukino Ushimaru, Makawao, HI

Laura Mylott Manning, New York City, NY

Samantha Brown, New York City, NY

Sarah Chapman, Westport, CT

Lori Quick Lenglain, Forest Hills, Queens, NY

Diane Miller, NY and Sneads Ferry NC

Shu Ping Renee Cheng, Queens, NY and Taiwan

Talita, NJ and Brazil

Harry Cushing, New York City, NY and Italy

Anne Marie Barbaro, Merrick, NY

Mia Mariotti, Ohio and NYC

Naomi Greenspan, Kingston, NY

Elzbieta Milko, Middle Village, NY and Poland

Angela Torregoza, New York City, NY

[venusinthenews]

I want to thank everyone for having me here tonight, and especially my families both bio and chosen, my amazing partners and polycule, my mentors, colleagues and clients. Also my therapist and my dog. We don’t do anything worthwhile by ourselves, and my being recognized here tonight is no exception. My father once said of me “Moira was socially engineered by a village,” and I hope everyone in this room recognizes themself to be part of that village.

For anyone unfamiliar with my work, I don’t work in a single practice area as much as I do a little bit of paid work, mostly writing wills, to support the mostly pro bono work I do for queer and trans and two spirit communities, especially incarcerated queer and trans folks. I currently represent Chelsea Manning, in prison for her refusal to give testimony before a grand jury investigating the publication of her damning disclosures of U.S. military misconduct. I also represent green-scare prisoner Marius Mason in his efforts to access a name change and gender-affirming health care, and as a result of that work will shortly be issuing a constitutional challenge to a Texas statute forbidding prisoners from changing their names, which should be fun. I spend a lot of time doing agency documents and criminal defense and name changes and parole work for people in our queer communities. I am delighted that my work has meaning and value to you and I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak directly to you about our work and our values as lawyers.

[venusinthenews]

Shooters, a celebration of the unique symbiotic relationships within the street art community, will bring artists and photographers together to celebrate the shared experiences their art creates.

Featured photographers (instagram):

@just_a_spectator          

@venusinorbit            

@romaxbeirut              

@kiariladyboss         

@ellies_hoes

@omarvictorious ​          

@juliusjulynyc.               

@kaotik954              

@jo_evokes                 

@thekiddist

@kristycnyc              

@jimmyaponte              

@coolrakski     

@joannabethpdot  

@a_candela_photography

@catscoffeecreativity    

@stellabella824           

@walkinggirlnyc           

@ranndomized          

@mean.genius

[venusinthenews]

The United States government is more strict regarding asylum seekers than it has been in the recent past. If you have questions as you complete your initial or renewal employment authorization application, including about the required documentation, please contact RIF at info@rifnyc.org to schedule a legal consultation.

More detailed information about the changes can be found on Angela Torregoza’s blog here.

[venusinthenews]

The Solo/Small Business Practice Group brought together students, experienced alumni in the initial stages of small private practice, and professionals considering a starting down a new path in the name of learning and supporting one another (and enjoying delicious local Mexican food).

From marketing and book keeping to technology, hiring, and maintaining a separation of downtime and ownership of a small business, the group discussed local resources available to small firm start ups and shared information and contacts. A central tension the group is combatting is the desire to be not only financially stable but also successful in the face of lawyering 'in the service of human needs' and providing affordable representation; many in the group began their practices to better serve the communities of which they are a part.

Leading the group is alumna Angela Torregoza, ('12) who recently launched a boutique immigration law practice in Long Island City with fellow alumnus Amir Rasoulpour ('12). The Practice Group model is designed to support Torregoza in collecting feedback from the group to determine what topics of most of interest going forward, and will expand to include an on-line discussion group and resource archive. In addition to in-person meetings and workshops, the program will include speaker series and CLE programs. To date, forty alums have connected to advance this Practice Group.

[venusinthenews]

THE FIRST ITERATION OF A NEW ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE UNITED ALUMS WORKING IN SOLO AND SMALL FIRM LAWYER FOR THE SCHOOL’S FIRST PRACTICE GROUP MEETING ON MAY 23, HOSTED IN THE CO-WORKING SPACE AVAILABLE AT 2 COURT SQUARE.

Leading the group is alumna Angela Torregoza, (‘12) who recently launched a boutique immigration law practice in Long Island City with fellow alumnus Amir Rasoulpour (‘12).  The Practice Group model is designed to support Torregoza in collecting feedback from the group to determine what topics of most of interest going forward, and will expand to include an on-line discussion group and resource archive. In addition to in-person meetings and workshops, the program will include speaker series and CLE programs. To date, forty alums have connected to advance this Practice Group.

[venusinthenews]

Best Graffiti Influencers in 2018

Peoplemaven.com, 2018.

Angela Torregoza in Best Graffiti Influencers 2018. 

[venusinthenews]

Culture of One World, December 13, 2015

La Mama e.t.c and Kinding Sindaw are presenting a #HaiyanRelief fundraising benefit. I will serve as the host.

The event will benefit the victims of Haiyan/Yolanda. All proceeds will go to NAFCONUSA #HaiyanRelief fund# nafconusa.org

[venusinthenews]

Immigration Counseling with CUNY Law School

Woodside on the Move, September 28, 2017

One on One Immigration Counseling with Ms. Angela Antonia Torregoza Esq.

Walk-ins are welcome, but to secure your spot rsvp via phone (718)476-8449. Ask to speak with Yadira or Maritza to set up an appointment for the date.

[venusinthenews]

#ImmiGreat: Immigrants Enrich American Communities

Long Island City Partnership, November 2017

Friday, January 19, 2018 6:00PM–10:00PM

Immigration attorneys, Angela Torregoza and Amir Rasoulpour, launch their joint law practice, Rasoulpour Torregoza, with a month-long art show, #ImmiGreat: Immigrants Enrich Our American Communities, at The Local, a community space in Long Island City. The point of the show is quite simple: celebrate the immigrant experience and show that immigrants have always positively contributed to their communities, making America great. #ImmiGreat is our way of our providing a space to make immigrant voices heard and their stories revealed.

[venusinthenews]

Low bono access to Justice - City Counseling

CUNY Public Square, November 2017 

CUNY Law promotes models of lawyering leading to access to justice for all. Through funding from members of the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly, CUNY Law contracts experienced alumni to provide free legal assistance to low-income New Yorkers in all five boroughs.

Alumni deliver legal consultation, limited representation, and legal rights workshops to a diverse range of constituents. Attorneys receive support from CUNY Law and by joining a network of attorneys that participate in the city counseling program. Alumni in the city counseling program address issues including consumer debt, employment foreclosure, elder care, family law, immigration, public benefits and housing issues.

Participant attorneys supplement their income through this contract work, doing well while doing good.