This two-year fellowship supports early-career attorneys as they gain hands-on legal experience at a nonprofit or community-based organization. The Fellowship provides:
A $60,000 annual salary, paid directly to the host organization
Health and fringe benefits provided by the host
A $10,000 completion bonus for the Fellow
Opportunities to work on behalf of underserved communities and grow as a public interest leader
Whether you plan to build a career in nonprofit law or public interest, the NLF Community Law Fellowship is designed to develop the next generation of impactful legal advocates.
You can find the details and instructions to apply here. To view the application, click here.
Ready to make a difference? Apply today or share this opportunity with someone who should. Applications are due February 16, 2026.
New This Year
Interested applicants can submit a one-page Prospectus and resume by December 1, 2025, and receive feedback for the final application.
On June 21, 2025, AABANY successfully hosted its Third Annual Wellness Day at Brooklyn Law School. This event was made possible through the generous support of AABANY’s dedicated speakers and sponsors, enabling participants to address critical issues affecting mental and physical well-being, in line with wellness programs and initiatives championed by former AABANY President Karen Kim during her term. Participants learned about various topics, such as methods for dealing with daily stressors, unhealthy drinking culture in the legal profession, signs of depression, and how to find support groups and resources.
Within the legal profession, mental health and well-being is not a topic that is often discussed. AABANY aims to challenge the normalized culture of long hours and drinking prevalent in the legal profession by highlighting the detrimental impact of these behaviors on the well-being of attorneys and offering a dedicated, supportive environment for necessary discussions.
Doors opened for Wellness Day at 9:00 AM. The event began with a relaxing Meet and Greet Breakfast catered by Paris Baguette, providing attendees with an opportunity to meet current and former Wellness Day speakers and greet one another and connect. During breakfast, Karen invited attendees to enter a raffle for a chance to win prizes like a one-on-one coaching session with Celina Lee, a 75-minute Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) session with Dr. Michelle Thompson, a laser Focus Power Pitch session or copy of Rainmaking 101 by Precious L. Williams, or a parenting coaching session with Dr. Theresa Nguyen.
AABANY President Benjamin Hsing welcomed everyone to the event. On behalf of AABANY, he expressed gratitude to all the participants, speakers, and sponsors who were crucial for the success of the event.
Wellness Day Champion Sponsor, Steno, hosted a table with goodies for attendees, ranging from Pride flags, bags, and iridescent water bottles to glass nail files. Thank you to Steno and Steno representative Gayle Damiano, for your generous support.
Creating a Kinder and Gentler Legal Practice when Grounded with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping)
The morning programs kicked off with Dr. Michelle Thompson from Resistant Vision, who first introduced Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping). Dr. Thompson shared a compelling story about a client who, after 48 hours without sleep, found relaxation and rest through EFT practices. In her session, “Create a Kinder and Gentler Legal Practice when Grounded with Emotional Freedom Techniques,” Dr. Thompson led participants through tapping their stressors away and detaching them from their minds. She had participants rank their stress levels on a scale from one to ten. By the end of the session, Dr. Thompson had helped the audience reduce their stress levels significantly. She invited a volunteer to help with a specific person causing their stress. Whether it be dealing with stressors at work or stress from academics, Dr. Thompson’s exercises helped everyone gain real-time emotional freedom and learn how to incorporate these practices for the stress that many in the legal profession face on a daily basis. To learn more about Resistant Vision, click here.
Bar None: Rethinking Alcohol in the Legal Profession
Jaimie Nawaday, partner at Seward & Kissel LLP and a former federal prosecutor, brought attention to the drinking culture in the legal profession with her session: “Bar None: Rethinking Alcohol in the Legal Profession,” moderated by Anden Chow, partner at MoloLamken LLP. Ms. Nawaday spoke openly about her personal experience with alcoholism as an attorney. She shared about being in denial about having a drinking problem for a long time and rationalizing her drinking due to the normalized drinking culture in the profession. In their discussion, they highlighted how as a lawyer, receiving and giving alcohol as a gift is normalized. In addition, they noted that many events primarily serve alcoholic drinks. They highlighted how especially for the younger generation of lawyers entering the legal profession, the lack of senior lawyer role models who do not drink might create subtle pressure to engage in heavy drinking.
Ms. Nawaday shared about her progression from doing short health challenges to abstaining from alcohol for a year. She aimed to help spread awareness about the outdated corporate cocktail culture and posted a video on LinkedIn on this topic, which received wide-ranging support from viewers. She also recounted how she helped another lawyer feel included at an event with just the small action of getting them a nonalcoholic beverage. To counter the drinking culture, Ms. Nawaday proposed that it should be normalized to provide nonalcoholic drinks at events and that senior lawyers who do not adhere to the outdated drinking culture should serve as role models. Learn more about Jamie Nawaday’s company Disrupting Drinking here.
Karen Kim took the podium to thank the morning speakers and announce that she would be distributing complimentary copies of The Daily Buddhist, which excited much of the audience. She also announced the lucky raffle winners. With that, the morning sessions came to an end, and lunch was served. Attendees enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch from Chipotle.
Managing Stress: Maintaining Wellness
The afternoon started off with a session called “Managing Stress: Maintaining Wellness” by pediatrician Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen, who guided participants through the science behind how our brain processes stress. She then led participants through different techniques to ground ourselves, from two different methods of regulating breathing, spacing out inhales, breath holds, and exhales by tracing the fingers on our hand, and box breathing. Dr. Nguyen also invited an audience member to demonstrate the breathing techniques. She then led everyone through somatic grounding techniques, such as rubbing the thumb and index fingers together as well as guided meditation. Dr. Nguyen proceeded to lead the audience through different stretches and acupuncture points to relieve stress, nausea, and tension. Participants left her session feeling relaxed, armed with helpful methods to ground themselves amid stressors in their daily lives. To learn more about Dr. Nguyen’s practices, visit resilientmd.org.
Building Positive Habits: Practical Tips to Sustain a Long, Healthy Career in Law
A fireside chat followed, with Jackson Lewis Principal Tanya Bovée and Well-Being Director Gavin Alexander in a session called “Building Positive Habits: Practical Tips to Sustain a Long, Healthy Career in Law.” Mr. Alexander spoke candidly about his journey struggling with mental illness throughout his life. He talked about how he was initially reluctant to seek help since he thought any paper trail of receiving care would be damaging to his career. Due to the perceived stigma against mental illness in the legal profession and society, it was not until his near suicide that he sought help. Since then, he has advocated for mental well-being and served as the first-ever Fellow of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being. Mr. Alexander spoke about finding help in the form of a support group of lawyers with depression, through which he found his current position as a Well-Being Director at Jackson Lewis. When commended on his bravery for sharing his struggles, Mr. Alexander expressed the hope that we all could live in a world where someone like him wouldn’t be deemed brave for sharing his struggles, and talking about mental health would be normalized instead. In guiding the discussion, Ms. Bovée shared her struggles and techniques for better time management and recommended various books for the audience. She also shared personal stories of handling new roles and expectations.
Steno, Champion Sponsor – Remarks
Steno representative Gayle Damiano then gave brief remarks, recognizing Steno as the Wellness Day Champion Sponsor and its support of wellness and well-being in the legal profession. Attendees learned about Steno and its court reporting and litigation services.
But You Don’t Look Depressed
The next session, “But You Don’t Look Depressed,” was moderated by Karen Kim and featured Vivia Chen, an award-winning journalist and ex-lawyer. Ms. Chen shared her story of finding help and opening up about her mental health challenges. Publicly sharing her mental health struggles was difficult due to the stigma around depression in the legal profession. Ms. Chen shared that many lawyers have this stigma, mostly due to their family’s expectations. Asian American lawyers experience higher mental issues compared to the whole of those in the legal profession. Ms. Chen spoke of the challenges to secure short-term disability due to misconceptions around how the symptoms of depression or how those who suffer from depression should look. An insurance representative commented that she did not exhibit the usual signs of depression, such as sobbing uncontrollably or looking unpresentable. In the end, her application for short-term disability was denied. Ms. Chen also spoke about her experience finding a therapist suited for her and seeking help. Her story shines light on the lack of accessibility of help provided by legal workplaces, and the need to change the stigma and misconceptions around mental health, in order to make help more accessible to those who need it. Visit and subscribe to Ms. Chen’s Ex-Careerist Substack Column.
During the discussion, Karen highlighted previous Wellness Day sponsor and participant, Anise Health, a culturally responsive mental health platform dedicated to the Asian community. All attendees received a free trial consultation from Anise Health, as well as a 10% discount code for their first month of care.
Cultivating Mental Resilience to Thrive Amid Uncertainty
Next, Benjamin Hsing, President of AABANY, facilitated a conversation with Pema Sherpa, co-author of The Daily Buddhist, speaker, and mindfulness researcher. They explored how resilience can be cultivated through intentional mind-training practices rooted in Buddhist philosophy and contemporary mindfulness research. Drawing from both personal experience and her book, Ms. Sherpa shared practical tools to manage stress, reframe emotional challenges, and foster inner calm amidst professional demands. She emphasized how simple yet consistent exercises such as meditation, compassion, and mental reframing can strengthen one’s emotional resilience and promote wellness. During the Q&A session, Ms. Sherpa highlighted how the book’s daily format offers readers an accessible and structured path to integrate mindfulness into their routines. Participants appreciated the interactive dialogue, and at the conclusion of the event, Ms. Sherpa graciously signed copies of her book for attendees. Visit Pema Solutions to learn more about mindfulness.
Closing Remarks
Karen Kim delivered ending remarks, thanking everyone for coming to Wellness Day. She gave thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and speakers who were vital to making the event successful. Many attendees stayed for the optional networking reception afterward, taking the time to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances and making new connections.
Wellness Day has been a celebration of self-care, health, and the importance of nurturing both mental and physical health. AABANY compiled a Wellness Resources guide and encouraged attendees to reach out to AABANY and the available resources for themselves, their colleagues, friends, and family. AABANY’s Wellness Resources can be found here.
AABANY thanks all Wellness Day speakers for sharing their expertise and personal journeys:
Michelle Thompson, J.D., Ph.D., CEO of Resistant Vision Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Bankruptcy Judgeship Vacancy – The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for a 14-year appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of New York. The duty station for this opportunity is in Rochester New York. For announcement click here, for applicationclick here. The deadline to submit an application is August 7, 2025.
Bankruptcy Judgeship Vacancy – The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for a 14-year appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of New York. There are two vacancies in the Eastern District of New York, one in Brooklyn and one in Central Islip. For announcement click here, for application click here. The deadline to submit an application is August 7, 2025.
We are thrilled to share that AABANY member and former AABANY Board member, Pauline Yeung-Ha, Partner at Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, is beginning her term as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter (NY NAELA), effective July 1, 2025. Having served as President-Elect, Pauline is now leading the New York Chapter.
According to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney (NAELA) Website, NAELA, founded in 1987, is a national association of attorneys devoted to addressing legal issues affecting older adults and individuals with special needs. To enhance the quality of legal services unique to the needs of aging individuals and those with disabilities, NAELA emphasizes the importance of continuing legal education, advocacy, and examining public policy issues. Membership in NAELA reflects a dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards, which includes adherence to the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law.
In assuming her role, Pauline stated, “During my tenure, NY NAELA and its members will continue to strongly advocate for the legal and care needs of our growing elder population throughout New York State and support the elder law attorneys who do this important work.”
Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, in announcing Pauline’s new role, stated that Pauline’s “integrity, dedication, and compassion” will continue to drive NAELA’s mission of serving older adults and people with disabilities through education, advocacy, and community.
Please join AABANY in congratulating Pauline on her new role as President of NY NAELA. We wish her all the best in this impactful endeavor.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) co-sponsored a screening of its documentary “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” at the Asia Society in New York City. This newly released version, which had never been shown before, added an introduction providing historical context on anti-Asian hate and violence in America. The documentary focuses on the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring the voices of victims, their families, and community advocates who shared their personal experiences.
The event featured a screening followed by two panel discussions. The first panel featured selected participants from the film, including Michael Zhu, Justin Go, the father of Michelle Go, and Sungkon Lee, the father of Christina Yuna Lee. The second panel featured esteemed advocates Glenn Magpantay, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and Jennifer H. Wu, founding partner of Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone, who discussed the systemic and historical factors that have contributed to the targeting of the AAPI community.
Photo by Dazhen Lu
The screening began with a short introduction by Neelam Chowdhary, Vice President of Education at Asia Society, who introduced the documentary and stated that “the fight against race-based hate is far from over and our work towards a more equitable justice system must continue.” She thanked the partners and sponsors who made the screening possible and introduced the panelists who would speak later in the evening.
Next, AABANY’s Executive Director, Yang Chen, discussed the story of how the documentary came into being. After the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force was formed after the first year of the pandemic, it produced two well-received reports on anti-Asian hate and violence. Rather than produce a third report, the Task Force decided to make a documentary instead, to record the memories and recollections of victims, survivors, and activists.
After opening remarks, the documentary was presented. It ran for a little over thirty minutes, and the stage was set for the first panel.
After the screening, moderator Chris Kwok (center in the photo above) introduced the panelists: Michael Zhu, Justin Go, Sungkon Lee and his translator, Hana Park (ordered from left to right). They discussed their insights into anti-Asian hate crimes and shared the experiences of the victims and their families years after the attacks. Chris began the discussion by familiarizing the audience with the current lives of the survivors and raising the question of how the Asian American community can make things better.
Michael Zhu, survivor of a brutal knife attack, commented that he had found a new perspective in life. After expressing his gratitude to his family and the surgeons, he said he was thankful his life has mostly returned to normal. Sungkon Lee, the father of Christina Yuna Lee, lamented the tragic murder of his daughter in his everyday life and is working towards getting a homeless shelter named in memory of his daughter as a way to prevent future horrific murders like the one Christina Yuna Lee suffered. Like Mr. Lee, Justin Go continued to live with deep pain following the passing of his daughter Michelle: “We still miss her funny laugh, her generosity, her cross-country flights to see family and friends even though we knew she had worked long hours at various projects.” Mr. Go then went on to discuss and advocate for the Michelle Alyssa Go Act, pending in Congress, which would amend the definition of an “Institution for Mental Diseases” under Medicaid, raising the number of Medicaid-eligible inpatient psychiatric beds a care facility can have from 16 to 36.
After the discussion with the survivors, panelists Glenn Magpantay and Jennifer H. Wu were invited to the stage to share their work on fighting Asian hate crime and their views on the issue. Glenn emphasized the need for greater enforcement and possible reform of hate crime laws. Jennifer underscored the importance for Asian Americans to speak up when their rights are violated, even when the community normalizes the idea that “it’s safer to stay silent than to speak up.” She urged victims to make their voices heard by the public.
Chris then turned to specific hate crime laws, and both speakers expressed their frustration with the current state of the law. Glenn discussed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which allowed alleged assailants to go out on supervised release instead of jail, which he believed would cause more danger to victims once they are released. Jennifer expressed the difficulty in charging a hate crime because prosecutors are often dismissive of such reports and encounter challenges in proving that the crime was indeed motivated in whole or substantial part by prohibited hate.
Then, the panelists opened the floor for questions. Most notably, a member of the audience asked the appropriate steps to take if harassed. Jennifer responded by saying that the first step is to call AABANY and the second is to trust the institutions that are supposed to carry out justice. She also encouraged the audience to show up for other communities: “If we don’t show up for other people, how will they show up for us?” She emphasized the importance of allyship. Following the discussions, guests were invited to a reception. Drinks were served and audience members discussed the documentary among themselves, and with the panelists, victims, and loved ones who stayed behind after the discussion.
Special thanks to the Asia Society for hosting this event and to all who attended the screening. We extend our gratitude to the survivors, Justin Go, Michael Zhu, and Sungkon Lee for their courage in sharing their story, and to the advocates, Glenn Magpantay, Jennifer H. Wu, and Chris Kwok for their insights and profound contributions to the AAPI community.
If you are interested in hosting a screening and panel discussion, please contact Daphne Mei, Program Manager, AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, at daphne.mei@aabany.org.
Thanks to Nick Tan for the event photos, courtesy of the Asia Society (unless otherwise noted).
On June 27, 2025, Glow Cultural Center, Committee of 100, and The Foundation Center Inc. hosted the AAPI Youth Career Workshop, a networking reception for students to engage in networking conversations with their peers and experienced professionals from a wide range of industries. The panelists of speakers included:
Dr. Pauline Lau (Medicine) – Hematology & Oncology, Board of Directors of Coalition of Asian-American Independent Practice Association (CAIPA)
Mark Lee (Business) – Founder of RokStar Chicken
Gary L. Yeung (Law) – Litigation Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel, Member of Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)
The panel was moderated by Dr. Teresa Hsu (Mental Health) – Founder of Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin (SPEAK)
Attendees heard from the speakers about their backgrounds, the challenges they faced pursuing their careers, their passion in giving back to the AAPI community, and their advice on how to build communication skills, confidence, and connection. This program also provided networking opportunities for high school students to learn from these professionals in the medical, business, and legal field.
We thank Gary Yeung, Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, for sharing his personal experiences and community-facing work he has been able to do through AABANY. Gary also gave shout-outs to his fellow Pro Bono Clinic volunteers, some of whom were in the audience.
Yes, you too can give back to the community in different ways: whether speaking in public to inspire future young professionals or volunteering at community organizations, such as AABANY’s Pro Bono Legal Clinics! Please consider joining us at our upcoming clinics:
Brooklyn Pro Bono Clinic on July 12, 2025 [Brooklyn link here], from 12:30pm – 2:00pm, at CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
Manhattan Pro Bono Clinic on July 16, 2025 [Manhattan link here], from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE Community Center, 111 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002.
Queens Pro Bono Clinic on August 6, 2025 [Queens link here], from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, at AAFE One Flushing Community Center, 133-29 41st Ave, 2nd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355.
Just over a month ago, NAPABA held its annual Lobby Day in Washington, DC. We convened our members in the Nation’s capital to support the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, advance a fair and humane immigration system, defend the rule of law and the legal profession, and advance democracy and civil rights. With over 60 congressional meetings and over 20 states represented, NAPABA demonstrated its commitment to change the status quo for our community.
Since then, and since NAPABA’s last update to you, we have been tracking developments that impact our organization, our mission, our legal community, and the broader AANHPI community. Please find some of these updates below
I. NAPABA-Led Coalition Continues to Defend Birthright Citizenship
After our filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in April 2025, NAPABA continued to lead a coalition of nearly 50 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country to defend birthright citizenship. Besides our amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit, which is available here, NAPABA filed substantially similar amicus briefs defending birthright citizenship in matters pending in the First Circuit and the Fourth Circuit. Those briefs can be viewed here and here.
Our brief explains the critical historical context behind United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898). The case was decided during an era of intense anti-Chinese sentiment, immigration restrictions, widespread violence, and mass expulsions. In Wong Kim Ark, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that birthright citizenship is automatically conferred to children born on American soil, even to those whose parents were from the most disfavored migrant group in the country at the time. NAPABA’s amicus brief underscores the importance of understanding Asian American legal history as a critical part of American history. Wong Kim Ark and other cases involving Asian American litigants in the late 19th century are foundational precedents for today’s immigration and civil rights law.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the preliminary injunctions that can be available to pause the executive order limiting birthright citizenship. The Court did not address the constitutionality of the executive order. Thus, litigation will continue as does NAPABA’s advocacy. The question of a child’s citizenship in the United States ought not to be dependent on the stature or circumstances of their parents. Nor should it turn on whether a child is born in one state versus another. For the guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment to be vindicated, birthright citizenship must apply to all children across the United States.
II. NAPABA Condemns Political Violence and Hate
In recent weeks, we have witnessed incidents of hate and political violence that are antithetical to the values of our community and our country. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, an armed perpetrator shot two Minnesota state legislators and their respective spouses in the suburbs outside of Minneapolis in an “act of targeted political violence,” according to the Governor of Minnesota. State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, died. State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, survived and sustained injuries from the attack.
Weeks earlier, on May 21, 2025, a deadly shooting in Washington, DC, targeted Israeli Embassy diplomats. And on June 1, 2025, eight people in Boulder, Colorado, were injured when a perpetrator threw incendiary devices into a crowd during a demonstration intended to remember hostages in the Middle East. One of those injured died from her wounds.
On top of these horrific acts, some elected leaders have sought divisiveness rather than inclusion. In a social media post, a member of Congress expressed that it was “deeply troubling” that a Sikh faith leader, Giani Surinder Singh, led a prayer on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The member, who had misidentified Giani Surinder Singh as Muslim, declared that Singh “should never have been allowed” to lead a prayer in Congress.
In the race for New York City’s mayor, some members of Congress have lodged Islamophobic comments against Zohran Mamdani, the winner of the primary election. One member of Congress posted an offensive cartoon of Mamdani, referred to Mamdani with a slur, and called on the Attorney General to institute denaturalization proceedings and remove him from the United States. Another member of Congress posted a photo on social media of Mamdani wearing a kurta and greeting others for an Eid service with the caption, “After 9/11, we said, ‘Never Forget.’ I think we sadly have forgotten.”
Further, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, revised the National Crime Victimization Survey and removed questions about gender identity and about hate crimes against transgender people. Previously, the questions on sexual orientation and gender identity allowed researchers, policymakers, and advocates to quantify the disproportionate victimization of the LGBTQ+ community. Comprehensive data collection surrounding hate crimes and hate incidents is critical in order to better combat such conduct and to take legislative action. NAPABA joined 90+ organizations opposing the decision. Following our advocacy, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reinstated the question pertaining to hate crimes involving gender identity.
The Justice Department’s action preceded a recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Tennessee law that banned hormone therapies for transgender minors.
Hate, regardless of the form, political violence, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities must be rejected. NAPABA will continue to oppose hate, support the diverse AANHPI community, and work to strengthen the rule of law and democracy.
III. NAPABA Calls for a Fair and Humane Immigration System
Fundamental to a fair and humane immigration system is one that is subject to constitutional limits, non-discriminatory, and ensures meaningful due process. Recent developments, however, brush against these values.
On May 28, 2025, the federal government announced that it would work to “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students.” This policy declaration has not only caused needless anxiety throughout our community, but it is also wholly misguided. While policymakers have the prerogative to address the legitimate national security concerns confronting the United States, they may not enact discriminatory policies like blanket visa revocations based only on national origin and alien land laws. Instead of measures that are tailored to an evidence-based, national security nexus, these recent policies foster an atmosphere of distrust that targets Asian Americans generally, not just the Chinese American community.
NAPABA is also concerned about the federal government’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. On June 2, 2025, NAPABA joined 60 other AANHPI organizations, led by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), in filing an amicus brief that urged the court to fulfill its role in preserving the right to due process and ensuring meaningful judicial review of executive orders. The last invocation of the Alien Enemies Act justified the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. The amicus brief shared the stories of these Americans and their families. We urged the court to uphold the right of meaningful due process and judicial review of executive actions.
Lastly, starting on June 6, 2025, protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to federal immigration enforcement actions in the city. On June 7, 2025, for the first time in 33 years, the President deployed National Guard and military service members in Los Angeles to protect federal law enforcement and federal property. The protests continued until around June 15.
NAPABA recognizes the widespread anxiety throughout the AANHPI community and the broader immigrant community. Whether involving the changes in immigration enforcement policy or the announcement of new immigration policies generally, the shifting landscape of immigration law has created much uncertainty. This includes a recent policy change from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pertaining to the removability of certain Vietnamese immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to 1995. Please visit the Asian Law Caucus’s website for more information.
In the coming days, NAPABA will promote educational programming to cover many of these changes and more. Please stay tuned.
We have a lot of work ahead of us, and the NAPABA Policy Team will do its part. But we need your partnership, too. Engage in our committees and networks and register for the NAPABA Convention in Denver, which will be held on November 6-8, 2025. We look forward to seeing you.
NAPABA has extended the deadline to apply for two of the organization’s impactful, member-exclusive programs — the ADR Institute and the Prospective Partners Program (PPP). You now have until Wednesday, July 16, 2025, to submit your application.
Whether you’re looking to grow your career in Alternative Dispute Resolution or take that final step toward law firm partnership, these programs are designed to equip you with the skills, mentorship, and connections you need to succeed.
A multi-day hands-on training available to members who are interested in pursuing a career in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This program aims to diversify the pool of mediators and arbitrators in the United States and to increase the use of mediation and arbitration by those who attend the training.
Designed to increase the number of NAPABA attorney member partners at major law firms, this program provides 10 senior associates on the precipice of partnership with the opportunity to practice their pitch and receive immediate feedback from senior in-house counsel.
Note: Both programs take place at the 2025 NAPABA Convention in Denver and require Convention registration.
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the nomination of Eric Tung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Tung is a nationally respected litigator with a record of public service and experience at the highest levels of the legal profession.
“Eric Tung is an exceptional nominee whose distinguished career demonstrates a commitment to the law,” said Thy Bui, President of NAPABA. “From his time at the U.S. Department of Justice to his clerkships on the U.S. Supreme Court, Tung brings unparalleled experience to the federal bench.”
Tung is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Jones Day, where he focuses on appeals and motion practice in commercial litigation. He has briefed and argued matters in federal and state courts nationwide, including the Ninth Circuit, D.C. Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Florida Supreme Court, and the California Court of Appeals. His clients span a range of industries, including telecommunications, energy, banking, real estate, construction, entertainment, and digital currency.
Tung previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California and held positions at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., including serving as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General. He also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and the late Antonin Scalia.
“Eric Tung has excelled in every facet of the legal profession—as a prosecutor, government lawyer, private practitioner, and judicial clerk,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “His breadth of experience makes him a compelling choice for the Ninth Circuit.”
Tung earned his J.D. with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 2010, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif, named a Kirkland & Ellis Scholar, served as Managing Editor of the University of Chicago Law Review, and received multiple writing awards, including the Joseph Henry Beale Prize and the Bell, Boyd & Lloyd Award. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University in 2006.
NAPABA thanks President Trump for the nomination and urges the U.S. Senate to consider the nomination swiftly.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
