NAPABA Applauds Nomination of Vince Chhabria to Federal Judiciary
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2013
Contact: Emily Chatterjee
(202) 775-9555
NAPABA APPLAUDS NOMINATION OF VINCE CHHABRIA TO
THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
WASHINGTON—Today, President Obama nominated Vince Chhabria to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. If confirmed, Chhabria will be the first person of South Asian descent to ever serve as an Article III judge in California’s history. According to the U.S. Census, California is home to the largest South Asian community in the U.S. with over a half million and with a high growth rate of 68 percent.
“Vince Chhabria’s nomination to serve as a federal district judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is well-deserved and we are proud to support him. He has the credentials, experience, and temperament to be an exemplary judge,” said Wendy C. Shiba, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “We would particularly note the historic nature of this nomination. If confirmed, Mr. Chhabria would be the first South Asian American to serve as a federal judge in California.”
Chhabria has deep roots in California, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. Chhabria has served as the deputy city attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office since 2005. In this role, he is co-chief of appellate litigation and defends the City and its employees in constitutional challenges to city ordinances and programs. Prior to public service, Chhabria spent several years working in the private sector in San Francisco, first as an associate at Keker & Van Nest and later at Covington & Burling. He graduated with honors from both the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) and the University of California, Santa Cruz. After law school, he clerked for at all three levels of the federal courts, including clerkships with Judge Charles R. Breyer on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Judge James R. Browning on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court.
NAPABA applauds President Obama for nominating Chhabria to the district court and for his continuing commitment to nominating well-qualified, diverse nominees to the federal judiciary. We also commend Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein for their recommendation and support of Chhabria’s nomination.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and 66 state and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, 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 color in the legal profession.
New Council Districts Highlight the Growth and Diversity of Asian New Yorkers
July 23, 2013
New York, NY— Today, the Asian American Federation released a briefing paper that details the Asian population, ethnic breakdowns and the major Asian languages spoken in each of the 51 Council Districts based on new lines finalized in May 2013.
“As discussed in our demographics report in April 2012, the Asian population remains the fastest growing in the City,” said Howard Shih, Census Programs Director at the Federation. “But to see the Asian American community as monolithic would be erroneous. The population numbers disguise the diversity of our population. With the upcoming City elections, term limits, and with many of the Council Districts slated for new representatives, we hope this will be a useful tool for the incoming City Council to better serve our Asian community,” added Shih.
Some of the key highlights from the briefing paper are:
“As discussed in our demographics report in April 2012, the Asian population remains the fastest growing in the City,” said Howard Shih, Census Programs Director at the Federation. “But to see the Asian American community as monolithic would be erroneous. The population numbers disguise the diversity of our population. With the upcoming City elections, term limits, and with many of the Council Districts slated for new representatives, we hope this will be a useful tool for the incoming City Council to better serve our Asian community,” added Shih.
Some of the key highlights from the briefing paper are:
- In addition to one majority Asian district, eleven other districts had more than one in five residents who were Asian.
- Four City Council Districts were home to a very diverse mix of Asian ethnic groups. Each of these districts had seven or more different Asian groups who each had populations of more than 1,000 people.
- The diversity of Asian languages spoken in the city is a particular challenge when reaching out to the community.
“This report is an invaluable tool that will serve to help elected officials better understand the growing Asian population in New York City,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm, who represents Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and East Elmhurst. Dromm’s district, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the City, saw an increase of over 8,000 Asians in the total district population. “The data in this document provides key insight into my district that will enable me to better communicate and understand a vital part of my constituency”.
As the briefing paper points out, Council District 20, centered in Flushing, remains the district with the largest Asian population at 66% of the population. “While I represent the largest Asian population, it is important to note that Asians are living throughout the City. The myth that Asians live in identifiable enclaves [has] long been dispelled. Our city leaders have to be mindful of the diversity of the Asian community, from languages spoken to the cultural practices,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “The onus is on us – the elected leaders – to hear their issues, address their concerns, and make room for them to contribute to their neighborhoods,” added Koo.
Manhattan’s Chinatown still remains as a district with one of the largest Asian populations. “My constituency represents one of the largest populations of Asians and Asian Americans in New York City, and this report highlights what we already know: we must have greater service and resources in these growing communities,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin, who represents the area. “Cultural understanding, linguistic access, and civic participation are essential keys to ensuring that these voices are heard.”
“The briefing paper shows our growing electoral strength. Asian New Yorkers can play a significant role in determining the next leaders of our city in the upcoming elections,” said Cao K. O, executive director of the Federation. “And our community must re-cast our importance in the city’s civic matters. We have to be willing to embrace this opportunity by going to the polls.”
To access the report, please visit: http://aafederation.org/headlines.asp?hid=141
2013 NLF Scholarships
The NAPABA Law Foundation is pleased to announce its 2013 NLF Scholarships, which are available to law students pursuing a Juris Doctor (non LL.M) degree in an accredited law school in the U.S. Part-time students are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the NLF guidelines for application. Scholarship opportunities include:
· Anheuser-Busch/NLF Presidential Scholarships
· UPS/NLF Gold Mountain Scholarships
· Chris Nakamura Scholarships
· Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship
· Bob Chin Scholarship
· NLF Scholarships
For details about scholarship opportunities, eligibility, and the NAPABA Law Foundation please visit the website at:
http://napaba.org/napaba/showpage.asp?code=scholarships
Applications are due on September 2, 2013. They can be found on the NLF website or at the link below.
Application: http://napaba.org/uploads/napaba/2013_NLF_Scholarship_Application.pdf
Extended Deadline 7/29 – 2013 NAPABA Convention Awards Nomination
2013 NAPABA Best Lawyers Under 40, Affiliate of the Year,
Trailblazers, Law Firm Diversity, and APA-Owned Law Firm Awards
Nominations Extended Submission Deadline: 5:00 pm EDT on July 29, 2013
Nominations for the following awards are due by 5:00 pm EDT on July 29, 2013. No further extensions will be granted. Award recipients will be honored at the 25th Annual NAPABA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 7-10, 2013.
NAPABA Affiliate of the Year Award Nominations
This Affiliate of the Year Award was established to recognize outstanding NAPABA affiliates for their best practices and accomplishments in their respective local communities. Only current 2012-2013 NAPABA affiliates are eligible for this Award.
Click here to download the nominations form.
NAPABA APA-Owned Law Firm of the Year Award Nominations
NAPABA has created the first ever APA-Owned Law Firm Award of the Year to recognize our membership’s law firms—solo, small, and large—that have achieved prominence and distinction, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. The Award celebrates law practices that embrace the APA community while maintaining the highest ethical and legal standards in our profession. The Award also recognizes firms that have advanced the goals and ideals of NAPABA and APA legal advocacy groups.
Click here to download the nominations form.
NAPABA Best Lawyers Under 40 Award Nominations
The NAPABA Best Lawyers Under 40 Award recognizes talented individuals within the Asian Pacific American legal community under the age of 40 who have achieved prominence and distinction in their fields of endeavor—be it the practice of law, academia, business, civic and charitable affairs, the judiciary, or politics—and have demonstrated a strong commitment to civic or community affairs.
Click here to download the nominations form.
NAPABA Law Firm Diversity Award Nominations
The NAPABA Law Firm Diversity Award honors law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote APA lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership. It celebrates law firm successes in recognizing the potential, supporting the promise, and raising the influence of APA lawyers.
Click here to download the nominations form.
NAPABA Trailblazers Award Nominations
The NAPABA Trailblazers Award recognizes the outstanding achievements, commitment, and leadership of lawyers who have paved the way for the advancement of other Asian Pacific American attorneys. Trailblazers have had careers and otherwise made contributions that demonstrate vision, courage and tenacity, and which have resulted in substantial and lasting contributions to the Asian Pacific American legal profession, as well as the broader Asian Pacific American community.
Click here to download the nominations form.