Official blog of the Asian American Bar Association of New York
KALAGNY – 2016 NAPABA Northeast Regional Conference
Exciting programming and networking events being planned. Meet lawyers from all over the Northeast. See the invitation and sponsorship packet here. To see the latest updates, please check out our conference page.
Click here to register or sponsor the conference. Early bird registration ends next Friday, on July 1, 2016.
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and its partner organizations applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which reaffirms the principle that diversity in higher education is a compelling interest. In light of this decision, colleges and universities may continue to develop effective admissions policies that include race as a factor as part of a holistic review to create diversity and opportunity in the applicant pool.
“Today the Supreme Court affirmed the important role race-conscious admissions policies have in ensuring diversity in our nation’s colleges and universities,” said NAPABA President Jin Y. Hwang. “As lawyers of color, we see the beneficial impacts of these policies every day in the legal workforce and we recognize that diversity in higher education is critical to ensuring we have a pipeline of talented lawyers and judges able to serve their communities. We are encouraged that the Court continued to recognize these benefits for our country and allow colleges and universities to continue to ensure diversity and inclusion on campuses.”
The Coalition of Bar Associations of Color (CBAC) — NAPABA, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), the National Bar Association (NBA), and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) — issued a joint statement supporting the ruling, which can be read here.
CBAC member bar associations jointly filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court in Fisher that recognized the importance of race-conscious admissions policies to communities of color and the important role they play in ensuring diversity in the legal profession. The brief is available here.
NAPABA joined national Asian Pacific American community organizations — Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) — to support the University’s holistic review process. The organizations issued a joint statement applauding the result and can be read here.
AABANY is recruiting volunteers to be trained to give basic housing trainings to the Flushing community at Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) located at 35-24 Union Street.
Trainings to the volunteers will be provided by Legal Service NYC at 40 Worth Street. Starting in August, Volunteers can shadow experienced public interest lawyers on a monthly basis at night. Eventually, once the volunteer becomes comfortable, they can give the training themselves under the supervision of an experienced housing lawyer. Volunteers also have the opportunity to work at the Pro Bono committee’s Monthly General Advice Clinic in Manhattan Chinatown!
We are looking for committed volunteers who have demonstrated interest in social justice and want to help the community. As a volunteer, you will be asked to commit to being trained, observing at least one training, and giving one or more trainings to the community. Chinese language skills are a plus although may not be necessary.
If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Government Service & Public Interest Committee Co-Chair Anita Wu at [email protected]
WHAT: Fun walk for the whole family from Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge
WHY: Join our Movement to Stamp Out Meanness and Bullying
WHEN: Sun, 6/26/16 – starts 7:30 am (Manhattan) ends about 9:30 Am (Brooklyn)
Must register online – no on-site registration. Free face painting, balloons, and stickers at the end of the the walk.