Third-year law student Jason Blatt will receive the Sister Catherine Cassidy Compassion Award from The Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (“FIAC”) at its Annual Awards Dinner on February 13, 2007.  Blatt is receiving the award for his work on behalf of Chinese women and children.  “Jason spent countless hours translating from English to Mandarin Chinese and back again in order facilitate our attorneys’ ability to provide necessary legal services for the women and children in detention in South Florida,” explained Cheryl Little (JD’85) , executive director of FIAC.  “Jason was able to develop a rapport with these frightened individuals, many of whom fled repression in their own country.  This rapport allowed them to feel comfortable sharing their stories with our attorneys.  By reaching out to these women and children in their darkest moments, Jason was able to provide a voice by which these women and children can be heard.”

Blatt became involved with FIAC through the Asian/Pacific-American Law Students Association at the Law School, which passed along a request from FIAC for Mandarin Chinese translators.  Blatt, who had worked for over twelve years in Taipei, Taiwan as deputy director of international news for TVBS-TV, a Chinese language cable television news network, and as a Chinese correspondent for the South China Morning Post prior to attending UM Law School, is fluent in Mandarin.  Blatt admits he was surprised to learn of the significant number of Chinese detainees in South Florida.  “I never expected that my Chinese skills would be needed at all in Miami, but I have been able to provide substantial help through my work with FIAC,” stated Blatt.

In addition to translating conversations between individual detainees and FIAC attorneys, Blatt provides translations for regular “Know Your Rights” seminars and translates informational material and written materials provided by the detainees.  Drawing on his experience with the Chinese culture and legal system, Blatt also provides volunteer services to an ABA Task Force preparing recommendations to the Chinese government regarding proposed amendments to Chinese patent law. 

This volunteer work is not Blatt’s only experience in the area of immigration and foreign law.  During the summer after his first year at UM Law School, Blatt worked as an intern for the office of Taiwan (Republic of China) Legislator Justin S. Chou.  In Miami, he works part-time at the Law Offices of Mario M. Lovo, J.D. ’91, preparing appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in asylum cases.

After graduation, Blatt and his wife, a native of Taiwan, plan to return to Taipei, Taiwan, where Blatt has accepted an offer with the Pamir Law Group specializing in international transactions for clients dealing with the Greater China region.

Related Links

• Jonathan Demme, Academy Award Winning Director and Producer, Keynote Speaker at The Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center's Annual Awards Dinner
• Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center's Annual Awards Dinner Invitation in pdf
• Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center's Annual Awards Dinner Invitation RSVP in pdf

posted 08-Feb-2007
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