All That Glitters Is Gold

All That Glitters Is Gold

AABANY Member Eve Guillergan Asked to Serve on Governor Cuomo’s New York State Council on Women and Girls

AABANY Member Eve Guillergan Asked to Serve on Governor Cuomo’s New York State Council on Women and Girls

Andy Hahn Discusses Biases, Barriers, and the Bamboo Ceiling within the Asian American Legal Community

Andy Hahn Discusses Biases, Barriers, and the Bamboo Ceiling within the Asian American Legal Community

Serve the APA Community by Joining the AABANY Community Response Task Force

AABANY’s Issues Committee is pleased to invite you to join the newly formed AABANY Community Response Task Force!

The Community Response Task Force (CRTF) is AABANY’s answer to the rapidly changing legal landscape and the need for quick, effective, and coordinated responses to the emergent issues that affect our communities. AABANY is firmly committed to being a strong voice and steadfast advocate on behalf of the Asian-American/Pacific-Islander community. In the past several months, we have all been witness to sweeping changes that necessitated powerful legal responses. While there have been some great triumphs, there were often times when it was difficult to obtain information, to find ways to contribute, or to organize a response quickly enough to be effective.

The CRTF is specifically designed to address these needs. The CRTF will serve as a central clearinghouse for information and coordination – tailoring the alerts sent to each volunteer based on that volunteer’s preferences and the needs of the community. Alerts and actions will range from emergency legal services to direct non-legal service actions and from workshops to rallies. 

Furthermore, the CRTF will not simply be a reactive body but we will seek to proactively research and prepare for issues on the horizon by reaching out to experts and formulating effective responses. We will also be reaching out and collaborating with other organizing bodies in order to present a more united and broad-based response to issues that affect our communities.

So, where does that leave you?

The CRTF is seeking first and foremost to create a database of willing, ready, and able volunteers, like you, who want be a part of the response. We will activate volunteers based on the subject area, the type of response, and the interests of each volunteer. 

We are also looking for people to become members of the Task Force itself, helping to research and anticipate possible future issues, reaching out to experts and developing toolkits, and coordinating with
other organizations.

If you are interested, please fill out the this form or feel free to email us directly at [email protected]

We keep all responses and information confidential in the Task Force Database. Information contained therein will not be shared with anyone outside of the Task Force and are solely for the purpose of organizing and coordinating Task Force activities.

To learn more about the Issues Committee, visit http://www.aabany.org/?page=154

NAPABA Opposes the RAISE Act

For Immediate Release

Aug. 4, 2017

                                                  For More Information, Contact:
                                                  Brett Schuster, Communications  Manager
                                                  [email protected], 202-775-9555

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) opposes the RAISE Act (S. 1720), introduced by Senators Cotton (Ark.) and Purdue (Ga.). The bill would cut all legal immigration into the United States by half, impacting businesses and preventing the reunification of families.  Notably, the RAISE Act, (1) curtails family-based visa programs, (2) makes a reduction in refugee admissions permanent, (3) slashes the number of green cards available, and (4) replaces employment visa categories with a point-based merit system that gives priority to individuals based on criteria including age, English proficiency, education, and economic factors.

“Commonsense immigration reform is necessary, but the RAISE Act keeps families apart, and undermines American businesses and their workforce needs,” said NAPABA President Cyndie M. Chang. “This bill reduces legal immigration, turns our backs on refugees, and rejects our core value of keeping families together. Nearly two-thirds of the Asian Pacific American community immigrated to the United States and we have long been targets of discriminatory immigration legislation. We stand against this bill.”

Nearly two-thirds of the Asian Pacific American community is foreign-born and 92 percent of Asian Pacific Americans are immigrants or have immigrant parents. Asian Pacific American families are diverse, having come to the U.S. to join their families to seek opportunity, or as refugees following humanitarian crises. The majority of these families came to the U.S. under employment-based visas and family-based visa programs that would be cut under this legislation. Further, these reductions would increase delays in the already long visa-backlog that continues to keep families apart.

The RAISE Act fails to address the real problems that plague the immigration system. NAPABA recognizes the invaluable contribution of immigrants to our country and urges Congress to reject this bill.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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 almost 50,000 attorneys and over 80 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services 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.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

NAPABA Supports Congressional Effort to Honor Chinese American Veterans

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For Immediate Release
Aug. 1, 2017

                                                   For More Information, Contact:
                                                   Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
                                                   [email protected], 202-775-9555

WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) endorses the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.-39), and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-33). This bipartisan bill formally recognizes the thousands of Chinese Americans who fought alongside fellow Americans during World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. In a letter shared with Congress, NAPABA highlighted how “Chinese Americans, both men and women, played a significant role for the United States in the Second World War… For over half a century, Chinese Americans have gone unrecognized for their courage and selfless sacrifice. NAPABA has supported similar legislation in the past and unequivocally endorses this legislation to finally grant Chinese World War II veterans the honor they deserve for their courage and valor.”

NAPABA encourages Members of Congress to join their colleagues in co-sponsoring this Bill to honor our veterans. By supporting this legislation, NAPABA acknowledges the importance of promoting equity and justice for Asian Pacific Americans. NAPABA thanks Senators Duckworth and Shelby, and Congressman Royce for their leadership in raising awareness of the sacrifices that Chinese Americans have made for the United States.

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at 202-775-9555 or [email protected].

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 almost 50,000 attorneys and over 80 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services 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.

To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

Reappointment of Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles

The current term of office of Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles, Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of New York is due to expire on October 24, 2017. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is considering the reappointment of Ms. Peebles to a new four year term of office and has determined that she appears to merit reappointment subject to public
notice and opportunity for public comment. The Federal Public Defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3006A(g)(2)(A) and, upon reappointment, the incumbent would continue to exercise his/her authority. Members of the bar and the public are invited to submit comments for consideration by the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit regarding the reappointment of Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles to a new term of office. All comments will be kept confidential and should be directed to:

Karen Greve Milton
Circuit Executive
U.S. Courts for the Second Circuit
40 Foley Square
New York, NY 10007

Comments must be received no later than September 11, 2017.

Scholarships – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Scholarships – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Attorney Emeritus Program

Attorney Emeritus Program