Austin Law Group

TGIF! Not because the week is over, but because I have the great fortune to work with this amazing group of humans. We have a tradition called Whiskey Friday at ALG and even though they are on Zoom for now I treasured the time with our staff today. <3

POETRY IS ESSENTIAL The Hill We Climb When day comes we ask ourselves,...Continue reading

We are living through some interesting times aren’t we? With the advent of instant everything, we are bearing witness in ways we would have never thought of even a decade ago. In my lifetime alone, I’ve seen technology advance like a speeding train on hyperdrive. This comes with phones that go beyond the snake game (if you had the Nokia brick, you know what I’m talking about). These advances include having the world at your fingertips. We are able to see the latest happening...s in real time, all the time. As part of a few marginalized demographics, I’m watching people use this technology to witness how our society actually works. They can see with their own eyes how we are treated. They’re watching inequalities and discriminations as they happen. Their bubbles are bursting as they start to connect the dots from past to present. They’re starting to understand how laws and institutions have evolved to maintain the status quo. You can tell even they no longer believe the response of, It can’t be that bad,as they’re able to immediately find more information with a swipe of their thumb. And with this awareness, more people are speaking up. You see more people starting to use what privileges they have as leverage to lift others up. They’re creating access where there are roadblocks. People are standing up so that those who are constantly fighting for their humanity to be seen can put their armor down, even if only for a moment, so they can move forward without some of the extra hindrances. We’re witnessing this shift and how it affects future generations to come. That is part of what I appreciate about being part of ALG. Our staff comes from all walks of life, covering a myriad of identities. We use our knowledge of the legal system to assist people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. We use our knowledge to fight on behalf of those who have ample reason to distrust the system. As more minds broaden and more people lift up other, I truly believe we’ll be able to change this world for the better

This is a more personal post than I usually make on our Austin Law Group page, but I wanted to share my recognition of the passing of the amazing love & justice warrior, Margo St. James. My connection to Margo as with most things -- starts with my mom, who is herself an extraordinary person. My whole life, my mother has met and befriended people everywhere she goes. For a time, she lived in Sausalito, and popped into the No Name Bar once in a while to meet friends over an ...Irish Coffee. One day, she met a really interesting neighbor and they became close. During that time, while I was still a teenager, my mom and I would go to this neighbor’s house and hang out for hours on end. One afternoon while we were visiting, her doorbell rang and in flounced a head-turning beauty who, for a second, I thought could have been Carly Simon. She had a million-watt smile and gypsy 70's style. She took my breath away and then took my chin in her hand, tilted my teenage face up to hers, and said "I love a tomboy! What IS your name, dear?" Needless to say, I was smitten. The four of us spent the entire rest of the day and evening talking about the world and politics, but mostly about sex AS politics. She had my rapt attention, telling me the history of founding COYOTE (Google it!) and how the laws surrounding prostitution (70's vernacular) were a tool of the patriarchy, and that sex rights were women's rights, and all the while, she would casually put her hand on mine -- as if to both comfort and also pass along her ferocity for justice. It was palpable and incredible and life-changing. She left me with many COYOTE buttons and flyers that evening, but what she really gave me was an introduction to the rest of my life. I have been honored to provide legal counsel to the likes of St. James Infirmary, Carol Queen, and Carol Leigh, who carried on Margo's work so valiantly. And often, when people ask me why my law practice includes sex worker rights and adult entertainment I tell them: Margo St. James sent me, she changed my life. Rest in peace and power, Margo. Photo credit: John O'Hara 1977

As the new year starts to unfold, we have been anxiously awaiting the inauguration of a new administration. Not even a full week into it, today has been historic in the best and worst of ways. A flip of the Senate to blue in Georgia and the election of that state’s first Black and first Jewish Senators. A crucial victory. Tragically, not far beyond in Washington DC, a violent mob stormed the Capitol Building and disrupted Congress from certifying the Presidential election bec...ause their guy lost. As we write this, the scene of chaos is still unfolding. Why was this mob outraged? Not because their civil rights are being taken or infringed upon in any way. Not because they’re overly/wrongly policed or are the clear target of police brutality. Not because there are children in cages. They stormed the Capitol with weapons, riot gear and confederate flags because the man who justified their own bigotry, ignorance, and selfishness lost. Because they were sold lies and scapegoats and egged on by Trump and his enablers. And they bought it with wild abandon. For weeks, months, years, they were fed encouragement for this moment -- stand back and stand by is ringing loud and clear. Even in his far too-little, too-late in the day message to his supporters, Trump continued to say repeat the lie that he won by a landslide, that this was a fraudulent election, that those that opposed him were evil, that he loved his supporters, and they were special people. The tensions in our country, the threats to and potential for our democracy could not be in more stark relief. How we move forward as a nation is up to all of us. On this day-for-the-history books, we here at ALG re-affirm our commitment to racial justice, civil rights and democracy, and continue our work to support our clients and our communities.

Happy New Year! In 2021 we re-dedicate ourselves to facing legal challenges with you to create change. We will face them together with patience, persistence and pride. We are fierce protectors of the rights of under represented communities in Social Justice and The Arts. First consultations are always at no cost. ... If you need us, we're here. 415-282-4511 www.austinlawgroup.com [email protected]

U.S. District Court Judge Gloria M. Navarro wrote in her ruling, Not all transgender persons receive or require physician treatment. This one statement eviscerates the requirement of a doctor’s letter to get a passport that reflects your proper gender. Thank you Judge!

She Ready! ALG has been helping artists across the board since 1995. Copyrights, trademarks, contracts, you name it! We take great care in making sure our clients’ best interests are front and center. That’s why we're excited whenever people use their status to uplift current and future artists. Tiffany Haddish is a huge favorite of our firm, in part, because she and ALG founder, Alex Austin, are both Jews of Color and we love watching Tiffany's star skyrocket! Haddish is ...using her stardom as leverage to help up-and-coming artists. Last month, Haddish, a foster system child herself, announced that she’s giving back to foster youth through a collaboration with her company, She Ready Productions, and Ready to Succeed. The She Ready Internship is set for this summer. Applicants must be current or former foster youths between the ages of 18 and 25. This internship is incredible! It’s goal is to give transition-age foster youth training, mentorship and ongoing support to pursue careers in media, art, and entertainment industries. Applicants that are selected will receive all the tools and support they need to be successful. Since it’s serving low-income populations, there will also be stipends for additional expenditures, such as transportation. Eligible applicants not selected will still receive opportunities for industry and career events. From the She Ready Foundation’s site: Our philosophy is that ‘Every child that is removed from their parents deserves to have a suitcase, a safe place to lay their head, and platform to follow their dreams.’" These are the ways we lift each other up. This is how we all rise together. Applications are live. Please pass it along to anyone you think would benefit from this endeavor! https://readytosucceedla.org/she-ready/ https://www.shereadyfoundation.org/

Oh Ohio! Earlier this December, an Ohio federal judge struck down state policy prohibiting transgender residents from changing their birth certificates to reflect their correct gender identity. While residents had previously been allowed to make this change, in 2015, the Ohio Department of Health reviewed it’s birth certificate policy and decided to no longer permit changes to the sex marker on Ohio birth certificates when the basis for that change was that the person was t...ransgender. In contrast, they continued to allow other changes for such things like adoptions and name changes. US District Judge Michael Watson wrote, At bottom, the court finds that defendants’ (Ohio Department of Health) proffered justifications are nothing more than thinly veiled post-hoc rationales to deflect from the discriminatory impact of the Policy. This is hopefully the final step in Ohio tearing down unconstitutional policies regard changing gender markers on birth certificates. Only one more state left. We’re looking at you Tennessee! If you find yourself or someone you know in need of assistance for such things as name changes or gender marker changes, Fill out the form on our site at https://www.austinlawgroup.com/, or email us at [email protected]. We have done extensive work in this area and are always happy to help people live their authentic selves as fully as possible. May this new year bring more progress towards everyone living their lives more fully! To read more about Ohio's recent ruling: https://thebuckeyeflame.com///16/trans-birth-certificates/ https://www.metroweekly.com//federal-judge-strikes-down-oh

Yesterday, a beacon of Bay Area LGBTQ+ history joined the stars. Lenn Keller was a photographer, filmmaker, and musician. Originally from Chicago, she made her way east and found herself drawn in by an artist collective in Harlem. Here she discovered her love for photography and film. She eventually came west to the Bay Area, continuing to capture the life of the community around her. Her photography was already in exhibitions by the time she received her B.A. in Visual Co...mmunications at Mill College. Her work was on display in last year's exhibit Queer California at the Oakland Museum. Her photography puts you right in the moment, with all the energy and vibrance of the people and places in that piece of time. Over time, she had accumulated quite the collection of Bay Area lesbian memorabilia. In addition to her own works, she had amassed many flyers, pamphlets, artwork, film, etc. So much so that in 2014 she founded the Bay Area Lesbian Archive. Her vision was to preserve the history and contributions of lesbians to the Bay Area. From the BALA website: "BALA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are a grassroots, community-run archives. We are committed to building community, fostering intergenerational dialogue and keeping a culture of activism vibrant in the lesbian community." In honor of such an incredible pillar and contributor to our community and culture, curator and documentarian of our history and dear friend and family to many, we ask that you visit the BALA website and donate. Lenn had a vision of a home for our history, a space where generations can convene and activism is nurtured. Please donate to help this dream continue it's mission and grow. Thank you Lenn, for all that you gave and saved for us. Donate and read about Bay Area Lesbian Archives here - https://www.bayarealesbianarchives.org/whoweare You can read more about Lenn Keller and her legacy here: https://www.kqed.org//lenn-keller-keeping-the-bay-areas-bl Photograph: a recent gathering of culture makers, Lenn Keller, Alex Austin, and Pippa Fleming.

This may be the most lawyerly post we've ever made! LOL We're here if you need us. Free 1/2 hour consultations, always. Stay safe, stay strong, we love you and have your back.

Reunión del personal con perros!

In honor of RBG I ask: Please join me in the spirit of this image to tell our current Administration to Fuck Right Off. Then VOTE in November so that they actually will.

Great News for Artists in California! Freelance writers and photographers, music industry professionals, performance artists are no longer mandated under AB5!! In light of that, we are offering Free 1/2 hour consultations to any artists trying to untangle AB5 for themselves....Continue reading

Great News for Artists in California! Freelance writers and photographers, music industry professionals, performance artists are no longer mandated under AB5!! In light of that, we are offering Free 1/2 hour consultations to any artists trying to untangle AB5 for themselves....Continue reading

Our incredible intern, Nia Chanel Gilbert, has scooped up another scholarship because she’s Amazing with a capital A! Big congrats from all of us at the firm!

Our incredible intern, Nia Chanel Gilbert, has scooped up another scholarship because she’s Amazing with a capital A! Big congrats from all of us at the firm!

With sadness Austin Law Group has lost a client to Covid-19. RIP Mike Limon.

What a great way to end our week! We won a five year Restraining Order for our client against their anti-semitic and racist online harasser. Our client can now rest easy knowing that hate speech won’t be knocking at their inbox.

Thank you San Francisco for once again being amazing!

Great News for SF Tenants! Huge congrats to the Eviction Defense Collaborative for fighting the Landlord Lobby and saving COVID Moratorium on Evictions for Non-Payment of Rent. If anyone has questions about this we are happy to provide a Free 1/2 hour consultation. ... If you have a few bucks, EDC is a great organization to support.

If you need to discuss any legal matters during the ongoing protests and pandemic, please don’t hesitate to call us; Austin Law Group is continuing our commitment to protect and serve our community on how to best manage legal issues during this intense time and we are waiving initial consultation fees during July 2020 in honor of #BLM We're here with you in solidarity and here for you in social justice. http://www.austinlawgroup.com

Wow. This is a really interesting Copyright decision and this article so clearly states why the court decided in Drake's favor. Would love hear folks opinion on this! Drake's 'Rap' Sampling Was Fair Use, Says 2nd. Circ....Continue reading

Fighting for artists rights since 1995!

It's artists like Mario Moore who keep me believing in art's power of change. #artlawyer #socialjustice #artjustice #mariomoore

So typical and disappointing that an International Cannabis Conference is pretty much void of People of Color. Except the African American MC, because entertainment. Check out the list of speakers. It’s shameful. But, it makes me thankful to represent The People’s Dispensary which is owned and run by ALL folks of color! https://internationalcbc.com/san-francisco/

Yes Diggity! We are so gratified to have wrested the Blackstreet Facebook page back to its rightful owners. We love working with you Chauncey Black. #nodiggity

We are thrilled to welcome Koohyar Hasani to the Austin Law Group family! He's worked for both the Homeless Advocacy Project and US District Court Judge, the Honorable Maria-Elena James. He is an absolutely delightful and accomplished addition to our firm.