The U.S. Congress, on the recommendation of then Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, appointed Michael Yaki to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for a 6 year term in February 2005. A partner in the San Francisco office of Jeffer Mangels Butler and Marmaro LLP, Mr. Yaki's practice includes public affairs, political strategy and management, as well as land use and
development.

Mr. Yaki is a former elected member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1996 to 2001. While a supervisor, Mr. Yaki chaired the board's Committee on Economic Development, Transportation and Telecommunications. He chaired the first Citywide Summit on Children and Youth and served as chair, San Francisco Transportation Authority (1999-2001); Director, Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District (1998-2001); Director, California State Association of Counties (1996-2001); Director, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (1999-2001).

Mr. Yaki was a lecturer in Political Science/Urban Studies at San
Francisco State University (1996-2000).




From 1989 to 1996 Mr. Yaki served as the District Director and a senior
advisor for Speaker Pelosi.




Mr. Yaki graduated
from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983 and Yale Law School
in 1986. Following law school, he clerked for a California Court of
Appeals judge.



Among other awards,
Mr. Yaki received the Community Service Award from the Organization of
Chinese Americans, and Legislator of the Year from the FDR Club for
Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Yaki is also a frequent contributor to
newspapers such as the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Blog Entries by Michael Yaki

The Media Needs to Fess Up to Its Mess and Its Responsibility: Time for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to Take a Look

Posted March 19, 2008 | 02:13 PM (EST)


Yesterday's speech by Barack Obama was extraordinary. Yet there are those who believe it will cost Obama the presidency, if not the nomination. And if the media continues to have its way, I fear it will.

In my 20 years in political life I have never quite seen, much less...

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