Page 18 - Phoenix Vol 11 No 4

Shaping Policy RBY DANIEL A. ARELLANO, LEGISLATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
Los Abogados takes a multifaceted approach to in uencing policy, focusing not just on the regulation of lawyers but also on the diversi cation of the profession and the advancement of civil rights.
- DANIEL A. ARELLANO
ecognizing its professional leadership cacy e orts. is includes helping guide pub- role in the Arizona community, Los lic communications on policy matters, guid- Abogados is committed to advocating ing the organization’s advocacy strategy, and
for public policy that positively impacts its members and the Latino community. As law- yers, we have a unique understanding of how law and policy are made and how they shape lives. And as members of the Latino commu- nity, we recognize our solemn responsibility to serve as a voice for those whose voices are not o en heard among the halls of power.
For years, Los Abogados has closely moni- tored legislation of interest at the Arizona Capitol. And for years this meant pushing back against blatantly anti-Latino laws, in- cluding the passage of SB 1070 and other laws that would have made it harder for members of our community to receive an education or obtain healthcare in Arizona. But it also meant advocating for legislation on which we could o er a unique perspective.
is included lobbying for a bill reigning in notarios, who operate as para-professional lawyers in Latin American countries but who are ill-equipped step into the shoes of lawyers in the United States. To Los Abogados, curb- ing the prevalence of notarios was a way to help protect our community. While we knew the challenges faced and the need for access to justice by members of the community, we also knew, as lawyers, of the dangers posed by untrained non-lawyers attempting to handle complex legal problems. Our committed ad- vocacy led to the adoption of legislation that strengthened protections against this unique form of unauthorized practice of law.
Los Abogados also spearheaded the enact- ment of a law protecting victims of sex traf- cking from exposure to prostitution charg- es—a concern raised by our members. e enacted law allows for vacating the criminal record of prostitution for victims of sex traf- cking, allowing victims a path to lead a better life.
Daniel Arellano assumed the role of chair of the Legislation Committee in 2019. Practic- ing primarily in the areas of government af- fairs, election law, and appellate advocacy at Ballard Spahr LLP, Daniel has been well posi- tioned to guide the organization’s public advo-
identifying key allies and stakeholders with whom to partner on matters of joint signi - cance. For example, this legislative session, Los Abogados partnered with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in op- posing a bill that would have signi cantly lim- ited who could le for dependency petitions in Arizona juvenile courts. e proposed change would have severely limited the ability to petition for dependency for unaccompa- nied minors—many of whom Los Abogados members represent as part of their pro bono work—and thereby cut o important avenues for immigration relief. Following the joint ad- vocacy by the Florence Project and Los Abo- gados, the bill failed.
Los Abogados takes a multifaceted ap- proach to in uencing policy, focusing not just on the regulation of lawyers but also on the diversi cation of the profession and the advancement of civil rights. To that end, Los Abogados has and will continue to advocate for educational equity (including, in particu- lar, for undocumented students), the advance- ment of minority voting rights, and criminal justice reform. is takes the form not just of lobbying legislators, but also working to in u- ence executive agencies and commissions and advocating before the courts as amici curiae and as proponents of court rules that promote diversity and inclusiveness.
Our voice is an important one, and we seek to ensure it is heard in support of our mem- bers and our community. e legislation committee furthers that goal by identifying and in uencing key decision makers across government.
DANIEL ARELLANO, AN ASSOCIATE AT BALLARD SPAHR, REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, COMPLEX LITIGATION, AND WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND INVESTIGATIONS. AS PART OF HIS FOCUS ON POLITICAL AND ELEC-
TION LAW, HE REPRESENTS CANDIDATES, DONORS, PACS, BALLOT MEASURE PROPONENTS, TRADE AS- SOCIATIONS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND CORPORATIONS IN COMPLIANCE, LITIGATION, AND ENFORCEMENT DEFENSE THROUGHOUT THE UNIT- ED STATES.
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · PHOENIX· VOL. 11 NO. 4 18