McLane Reports on Recent Initiatives to Support State’s Under-Represented Constituencies
May 9, 2007, Manchester, NH: — The law firm of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, Professional Association, with offices in Manchester, Portsmouth, and Concord, is pleased to announce its most recent efforts to support the state’s minority interests.
Legislative Matters
On Thursday, March 15, 2007 members of the McLane’s Immigration Practice Group traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation to discuss immigration reform. Representing businesses, the group pressed for an increase in the availability of visas for highly skilled H-1B workers and H-2A/B seasonal workers, as well as the need for a realistic program for longer-term semi-skilled workers. Representing individuals, the group presented the need for families to be joined legally in the States within a more reasonable time frame, noting that this would alleviate a burden on the immigration system, allowing authorities to focus on those people who truly present a threat.
Direct Representation
The firm provides pro bono services to many of the state’s minority organizations including the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, the New Hampshire African Community Center, and the South Sudanese Association.
Economic Matters
McLane has taken an active stand in sponsoring forums that create economic opportunities for under-represented constituencies, including the 2006 Latino Summit organized by Vision Hispana and held at Southern New Hampshire University.
Political Matters
The firm hosted a first-of-its-kind Hispanic candidates forum prior to recent elections, featuring the majority of New Hampshire’s Hispanic candidates and remarks by former New Hampshire Governor Walter Peterson.
Community Leadership
The firm’s Directors serve as board or committee members on such organizations as the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, Greater Manchester YMCA, Vision Hispana and Vote Now New Hampshire Hispanics.
In addition to sponsoring the organization’s Annual MLK Dinner, McLane also has devoted a director to serve as a board member of the New Hampshire Cultural Diversity Awareness Council. The firm is currently hosting a series of 6 strategic planning sessions for the NHCDAC board to develop a strategic plan for the Council for the next several years.
About the McLane Law Firm
Founded in 1919, the McLane Law Firm is the largest full-service law firm in the state of New Hampshire, with offices in Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth. Driven by the firm’s depth of sophisticated legal expertise and an unwavering commitment to client service, McLane has built collaborative and lasting relationships with a broad spectrum of domestic and international clients.