1. 5/16/2016 DLA Piper New Perimeter ­ Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
http://www.newperimeter.org/blog/2015/access­to­justice­chiang­mai.html 1/4
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Posted on 13 April 2015 by Aaron Goodman | Comments 0
Home From the Field Blog Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
Over the past year, I have had the privilege to work on a number of projects with New Perimeter and its partner
Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia Community Legal Education Initiative (BABSEA CLE). I first became
involved in a support role, drafting program materials to be used in Myanmar to teach mock trial techniques to legal
professionals. Following that work, I was invited to represent New Perimeter and DLA Piper as a speaker during
BABSEA CLE’s Access to Justice Weekend in Chiang Mai, Thailand in January 2015. BABSEA CLE’s Access to
Justice Weekend combined a two­day intense Community Legal Education (CLE) program with an Access to
Justice Fair and the Trio for Justice ­ an annual race put on by BABSEA CLE in Northern Chiang Mai. The founders
of the Weekend are the ever present and energizing Bruce Lasky and Wendy Morrish who I got to know and enjoy
well during my trip.
The weekend kicked­off with the two­day CLE where I presented alongside Jonathan Lynch from DLA Piper's
Bangkok office and Janaki Tampi from Herbert Smith Freehills. The three of us—with tremendous assistance of
Nattakan Chomputhong (who goes by Ann) both as translator and facilitator—led a group of about 80 law students
and professors through curriculum exploring fundamental issues surrounding legal ethics, confidentiality, pro bono
work, access to justice and all of the various legal issues that arise in each context. Bruce and Wendy, of course,
were popping in and out throughout the discussion.
New Perimeter Home About Our Work Galleries From the Field Blog Contact Us

2. 5/16/2016 DLA Piper New Perimeter ­ Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
http://www.newperimeter.org/blog/2015/access­to­justice­chiang­mai.html 2/4
This was unlike any teaching program that I have ever attended (or taught), in that we had participants from
numerous countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and others)—all speaking their native language and
usually some level of English. As a result, we had multiple translations going on while we were presenting. The
experience was challenging and rewarding. The material was largely experiential which allowed us to get the
students personally involved, laughing, acting out scenarios, and, by the end, we had some of the local professors
(or “Ajahn”) presenting the activities.
Something I came to realize about the not only the CLE program but the entire Access to Justice Weekend, was
that it was as much about bringing these legal professionals ­ and future legal professionals­ together from various
countries and cultures as it was about the material we were teaching. One night after our presentations ended, I
rode back to the hotel in a “red truck” with a group of students—a red truck is a form of public taxi in Chiang Mai.

3. 5/16/2016 DLA Piper New Perimeter ­ Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
http://www.newperimeter.org/blog/2015/access­to­justice­chiang­mai.html 3/4
The group was made up of Thai students who had invited some of the Vietnamese students to go to the Saturday
Night Walking Street (a night market). What I found amazing was the way the two groups had come together and
(using English as their common language) formed bonds and relationships through the BABSEA CLE program
and Access to Justice Weekend.
The 6th Trio for Justice race and Access to Justice Fair was perfectly situated in Northern Chiang Mai and the
course was a beautiful rolling run through misty mountains around a natural lake. It was the perfect way to bring
everyone together and to start a conversation.
The Access to Justice Weekend culminated with a celebration at the BABSEA house (where Bruce and Wendy
started the organization) and celebrated the heritage of each of the representative countries.
Bruce and I, in sharing our Jewish heritage, had the entire multicultural mash­up dancing Hava Nagila and lifting
Ann up in a chair. In short, it was an incredible experience and I hope to work with Bruce, Wendy, Ann, and
everyone at BABSEA again soon.

4. 5/16/2016 DLA Piper New Perimeter ­ Access to Justice and Multiculturalism in Chiang Mai
http://www.newperimeter.org/blog/2015/access­to­justice­chiang­mai.html 4/4
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