Fil-Am leader addresses new lawyers’ admission ceremony

Fil-Am community leader Sonia Delen (left) with Judge Therese Stewart, California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District, Division Two. CONTRIBUTED

OAKLAND, California –- A non-lawyer Filipino American community leader was given the honor of addressing new lawyers in the California Bar’s admission ceremony.

Sonia T. Delen, University of the Philippines Alumni Association San Francisco (UPAASF) president and senior vice president of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and member of the Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California, recently addressed the new lawyers who passed the California Bar Exam at the State Bar of California Admission Ceremony held at the Oakland Convention Center.

Delen quoted the late Philippine president Ramon Magsaysay who said, “Those who have less in life should have more in law.”

“Today, as you know, many great Californians cannot afford essential legal help,” Delen stated. “Whatever you decide to do with your legal skills, I encourage you to think about those who cannot afford your help. I urge you to give back, devoting some of your time to help those who are voiceless, oppressed, and underserved. If you cannot give of your time, consider donating to legal aid organizations who do provide those services, or make a donation to the State Bar’s Justice Gap Fund.”

Delen continued: “Let’s continue to diversify the legal profession. Let’s foster a legal working environment that serves everyone regardless of class, color, religion, gender or the ability to pay. May you maximize your power and your opportunity to make an enormous difference in the lives of your clients, in your profession, and in your community.”