Month: August 2022

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AABANY’s Intellectual Property Committee Hosts Movie Night at the AAIFF

On August 5, 2022, AABANY’S Intellectual Property Committee led a group to the 45th Asian American International Film Festival. The group saw the U.S. premier of Chosen, a documentary about five Korean Americans of vastly diverse backgrounds running for U.S. Congress in 2020.

A mix of AABANY members, including those who were new to the IP Committee attended. As always, new members are welcome at the IP Committee events. We hope to see you at the next one. Also, if you have any event ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out.

To learn more about the IP Committee, you can visit https://www.aabany.org/page/145.

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NAPABA Applauds the Confirmation of Judge Roopali H. Desai to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

For Immediate Release:
Date: August 5, 2022

Contact: Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Roopali H. Desai to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Confirmed in record time, Judge Desai is the first South Asian American judge to serve on the Ninth Circuit.

“NAPABA congratulates Judge Desai on her confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,” said A. B. Cruz III, acting president of NAPABA.” Judge Desai is a trusted legal expert with a broad coalition of bipartisan support. Her experience, legal acumen and background brings much needed representation and legal diversity to the Ninth Circuit.”

Previously Judge Desai served as partner at Coppersmith Brockelman. She served as a law clerk for The Honorable Mary Schroeder, Chief Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and is a graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, and the University of Arizona.

NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Judge Desai and Senator Sinema and Senator Kelly for recommending and supporting her nomination.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA 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.

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NAPABA Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Oak Creek Gurdwara Shooting

For Immediate Release:
Date: August 5, 2022

Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – Today marks the 10th anniversary of the mass shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wis., which resulted in the death of seven worshipers: Paramjit Kaur Saini, Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Prakash Singh, Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, and Baba Punjab Singh. NAPABA, alongside the Oak Creek Sikh American community and Sikh communities across the nation, remembers and honors the lives lost and forever altered. We grieve with their families and stand with our community deeply impacted by this act of hatred.

“Every individual in our country has the right to live and thrive in a nation that feels safe and inclusive,” said NAPABA Executive Director Priya Purandare. “This year’s Oak Creek commemoration is centered around the message ‘Heal, Unite, Act’ — Together, we will continue to heal from the loss of loved ones, unite to confront hate-motivated violence, and further our long-standing commitment to act towards building a safe, diverse, and inclusive America.”

The 10-Year Remembrance Vigil at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will be livestreamed on YouTube on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 6 p.m. CDT. For more information regarding Oak Creek remembrance events, please visit oakcreek10.squarespace.com.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA 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.

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NAPABA Files Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Affirmative Action Case

For Immediate Release:
Date: August 3, 2022

Contact: Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) filed an amicus brief in the cases challenging affirmative action before the Supreme Court, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina. We were joined on the brief by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.

In the brief, the bars reiterated their support for the principles laid out in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), which allowed the consideration of race as a factor in college admissions as part of a holistic admissions process. The brief lays out the importance of diversity in the legal profession and the impact overturning holistic admissions in college on current efforts to diversify the legal pipeline. The brief did not address the second question posed by the Court about the practices and policies implemented by either Harvard or the University of North Carolina.

NAPABA has consistently supported the principle of holistic admissions since it first submitted an amicus brief in Grutter with a coalition of Asian Pacific American organizations. NAPABA was joined by other diverse bars reiterating their support for affirmative action and the impact on the legal profession in both Fisher v. Texas (2013) and Fisher v. Texas (2016). This principle was codified and most recently affirmed by the NAPABA Board of Governors as the organization’s standing policy in 2015.

NAPABA thanks Dan Bromberg, Appellate Practice leader, and Shelby Dyl of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, for serving as pro bono counsel on this brief. We thank Albert Giang of King & Spalding LLP and Radha Pathak of Stris & Maher LLP, for their leadership as Co-Chairs of NAPABA’s Amicus Committee and contributions to the brief. A special thanks to Kevin Fong, former NAPABA Amicus Chair, for his advice and contributions.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA 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.

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AABANY’s Labor & Employment Law Committee Holds Kick-off Mixer at Turntable LP

On July 26, 2022, the Labor and Employment Law Committee hosted a kickoff meeting at Turntable, a trendy but casual gastropub that radiates a welcoming and laid back vibe located in the heart of Koreatown. Attendees enjoyed a night of Korean food, alcohol, and networking. Planned by Jennifer Kim, an associate at Jackson Lewis P.C. and an active member of AABANY since 2016, the event was a great success. Connections were formed amongst the attendees as conversations ranged from expanding their networks, career advancement, sharing updates about their current firms, to finding opportunities within the labor and employment law field. With all three Co-Chairs of the Committee present on their first in-person event in years, Yoojin, Keli, and Kevin showed the fun and welcoming energy that the Labor and Employment Law Committee is all about.

Thank you again to everyone who attended! We are all looking forward to the events that the Labor and Employment Law Committee will plan in the near future. To learn more about the Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/398.

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NYC Law Department Opportunities

If you have any questions or would like more information about the postings, contact:

Lillian Evans
Pronouns: she/her
Director of Legal Recruitment
NYC Law Department
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10007

SUMMER HONORS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Law Department selects approximately 50 Summer Honors Program interns from over 2,500 applications submitted each year. The Law Department is perhaps the only public sector/public interest employer in the country to make offers of permanent employment to its second-year summer interns based on their performance during the summer. In the past few years, about half of our entry class attorney positions have been filled with former participants of our Summer Honors Internship Program. The Law Department offers weekly stipends of $750 to our summer interns for our 9-week summer program. The office also offers housing concurrent with our summer program to our out-of-town law school summer interns.

The Law Department’s varied divisions offer summer interns hands-on practical experience. Summer interns regularly draft motion papers and briefs that are filed in court. Interns in our Tort Division take or defend depositions and take part in pre-trial court proceedings. Interns in the Special Federal Litigation Division are assigned to work on a trial with a trial team over the course of the summer. Interns in the Family Court Division regularly interview victims and witnesses and appear in court. Read more about our Program in our Frequently Asked Questions.  In addition, you can reach out to Law Department attorneys who have volunteered to be contacted by applicants interested in learning more about our work on our Law Department Ambassadors page.  Any other questions can be directed to the Law Department’s Legal Recruitment Office.

The majority of second year summer interns work in one of our litigating divisions. These divisions include, in order of numbers of placements each year, our Tort, Labor and Employment, Special Federal Litigation, Family Court, Administrative Law and Regulatory Litigation, General Litigation, Commercial and Real Estate Litigation, and Workers’ Compensation Divisions.  On occasion, we have placed an individual in our Affirmative Litigation, Appeals, Environmental Law, Legal Counsel, and Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Divisions.  Generally, we do not place second year summer interns in our transactional divisions, which include our Economic Development, Contracts and Real Estate, and Municipal Finance Divisions.  First year summer interns may be placed in any of the Law Department’s 16 legal divisions. For more details about what interns do, please refer to descriptions of the Law Department’s individual legal divisions. 

What We Look For
The Law Department looks for candidates who are committed to public service, pursuing justice and serving the common good.  To best serve the City we represent, the Law Department seeks individuals from a variety of backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to contribute to the work of the office.  The Law Department also seeks candidates who want to contribute to a work environment that values teamwork, inclusion and respect.  Finally, for second year summer intern candidates, as many of our second year interns work in litigating divisions, the Law Department seeks candidates who have experience in moot court, trial advocacy, debate, public speaking, or litigation/mediation clinics or internships.

Application Process

The Law Department participates in the on-campus interviewing process at law schools and job fairs, and we also accept applications through our online application system. Second year students may apply through our online portal after August 1, 2022.  First year law students may apply through this same link after December 1, 2022.

Applications can be addressed to Lillian Evans. See details at the top for more information. Any questions about the position may be sent to [email protected].

ENTRY-LEVEL ATTORNEY POSITIONS

The NYC Law Department’s approximately 950 lawyers and 890 support professionals work collaboratively to pursue justice and promote the public good by providing New York City with the highest quality legal representation. The Law Department represents the City, the Mayor, other elected officials, and the City’s many agencies in all affirmative and defensive civil litigation, as well as juvenile delinquency proceedings brought in Family Court. In all our work, the Law Department is guided in our values: Dedication, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Justice, Professional Development, Respect, Supportive Work Environment, and Teamwork.

Each year, the NYC Law Department typically hires an entry class of 40-80 recent law school graduates. These new attorneys receive unparalleled, hands-on legal experience in a supportive learning environment. New attorneys attend extensive orientation and training programs. They then take responsibility for their own matters, supervised closely by experienced attorneys.

A majority of new attorneys work in one of our litigating divisions where they engage in the day-to-day work of state and federal court litigation, including drafting motions, conducting depositions, exchanging discovery and appearing in court and at depositions. These divisions generally include, in order of numbers of placements each year, our Tort, Labor and Employment, Special Federal Litigation, Family Court, General Litigation, Commercial and Real Estate Litigation, and Workers’ Compensation Divisions. On occasion, we have placed an entry-level attorney in our Affirmative Litigation, Appeals, Environmental Law, Legal Counsel, and Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Divisions.  Read more about our entry level Assistant Corporation Counsel position and our application process in our Frequently Asked Questions. To learn more about the Law Department’s legal divisions, you can read the descriptions of the divisions. In addition, you can reach out to Law Department attorneys who have volunteered to be contacted by applicants interested in learning more about our work through our Law Department Ambassadors page.

In addition to entry level Assistant Corporation Counsels, who are primarily placed in our litigation divisions, the New York City Law Department also hires one or two Corporation Counsel Honors Fellows each year. During their one-year term, the Honors Fellow works primarily with our Legal Counsel Division on significant legal and policy issues pertaining to municipal governance. They may also request to work on projects in other divisions and on other areas of the law. More information on this program can be found on our Corporation Counsel Honors Fellowship page.

What We Look For
The Law Department looks for candidates who are committed to public service, pursuing justice and serving the common good. To best serve the City we represent, the Law Department seeks individuals from a variety of backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to contribute to the work of the office. The Law Department also seeks candidates who want to contribute to a work environment that values teamwork, inclusion and respect. Finally, as many of our entry-level attorneys work in litigating divisions, the Law Department seeks candidates who have experience in moot court, trial advocacy, debate, public speaking, or litigation/mediation clinics or internships.

How to Apply
The Law Department participates in the on-campus interviewing process at law schools and job fairs, and we also accept applications through our online application system. Recent law graduates who have judicial clerkships may apply for the entry class following the term of their clerkship. The Law Department recruits law graduates nationwide. Our approximately 1,000 attorneys include alumni from more than 80 law schools.

Apply for our 2023 entry-level attorney class through this link. 

Applications can be addressed to Lillian Evans. See details at the top for more information. Any questions about the position may be sent to [email protected].

CORPORATION COUNSEL HONORS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The New York City Law Department sponsors an annual Corporation Counsel Honors Fellowship Program for one or two recent graduates a year.  The recipients of this paid, highly selective one-year Honors Fellowship enjoy a behind the scenes view into the operations and governance of the City of New York with a focus on the major legal issues facing the City during the course of their fellowship year.

Honors Fellows are welcome to express interest in working closely with specific division(s). Past Honors Fellows have gained significant counseling, legislative, transactional, trial court level litigation, and appellate experience.  They may also request to work on projects in specific areas of the law such as employment, land use, tax certiorari, constitutional, administrative, environmental, and commercial law.  Learn about the 16 legal divisions at the Law Department.

Applicants for the Corporation Counsel Honors Fellowship Program must have a record of academic excellence and a demonstrable interest in urban affairs and governance.  Applicants must be graduating law school or be no more than three years out of law school. Applicants must also be either admitted to the New York State bar, in the process of becoming admitted, or currently in law school.  Successful candidates will be chosen by a committee of senior leadership at the Law Department. The fellowship term will be from fall 2023 to fall 2024. The fellowship stipend will be equal to the salary of a new attorney at the NYC Law Department plus City employee benefits. 

Applications should include a cover letter discussing what legal issues and experiences they would be most interested in exploring through the Honors Fellowship, a resume, writing sample, law school transcript, and a list of three references.

Applicants may apply for the 2022-2023 Corporation Counsel Honors Fellowship position through our online application portal.  The deadline to apply is September 30, 2022.

Questions regarding the Honors Fellowship may be sent to the Legal Recruitment Office.

Current law students seeking post graduation employment may also apply for our Entry-Level Attorney Positions.

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AABANY SOC & In-House Counsel Committees Present- Pre-OCI Series: How to Get an In-House Job

On July 21, 2022, AABANY’s Student Outreach & In-House Counsel Committees hosted a virtual event to advise on the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) process, specifically how to get an in-house counsel position. The event, part of the Student Outreach Committee’s Pre-OCI Series, ran from 5-6pm virtually on Zoom. The panel was moderated by Vivian Lee and Sharon Yang and featured the following panelists:

  • Michael J. Eng (MassMutual)
  • Kelly Koyama-Garcia (Louis Vuitton)
  • Madhu Goel Southworth (AMC)

Panelists discussed their individual career paths, the importance of knowing the business of the company before going in-house, how junior attorneys can best prepare themselves for an in-house role, and potential challenges for marginalized attorneys. The discussion was then followed by a Q&A session.

In advising junior attorneys how they can best prepare themselves for an in-house role, some panelists emphasized the importance of drafting experience and the ability to think and speak on the fly. While discussing the potential challenges marginalized attorneys may face, some panelists stated that things are getting better. Some panelists highlighted the importance of being above the radar by taking high visibility assignments and “knocking it out of the ballpark.”

As general career advice, some panelists advised junior attorneys to expect the unexpected, as many of the panelists never planned on working in-house themselves!

AABANY thanks the Student Outreach & In-House Counsel Committees for organizing the event, along with all panelists, moderators, and students who attended. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/121. To learn more about the In-House Counsel Committee, please visit https://www.aabany.org/page/149 .

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Aug 3 Kicks Off the 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), Running through Aug 13.

AABANY is longtime community partner to the AAIFF, and AABANY members are invited to attend the film festival with the special 20% discount code: AAIFF45BAR. 

Our own Francis Chin, AABANY’s professional development committee chair will also be speaking on the 72 Hour Shootout post-screening panel, a special part of the AAIFF.

About the Festival

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) proudly known as “The First Home to Asian American Cinema,” is the first and longest running festival to premier and showcase independent Asian, Asian diaspora and Pacific Islander cinema. With its origins at the Henry Street Settlement in New York City’s Lower East Side, the AAIFF brings together audiences from all over New York City, the tri-state region, and around the world. The 45th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF45) will take place from August 3 – 13, and combines in-person screenings and events with online programs. 

This year, AAIFF will feature FREE CHOL SOO LEE, a documentary which excavates the essential story of 1970s San Francisco, when 20-year-old Korean immigrant Chol Soo Lee is racially profiled and convicted of a Chinatown gang murder. In the past, AABANY featured Chol Soo Lee’s case in a trial reenactment titled, Alice in Chinatown: Chol Soo Lee and His Fight for Freedom. Five decades later, this documentary by Julie Ha and Eugene Yi revisits Chol Soo Lee’s story and serves as an urgent reminder that his legacy is more relevant than ever.  

On August 13th, the festival will showcase its Closing Night Presentations. Features include DEAR CORKY, directed by Curtis Chin illustrating an intimate look at the legendary photographer Corky Lee. A long-time friend of AABANY, we have hosted various events honoring Corky’s legacy, including the photo exhibit “Photographic Justice: A Tribute to Corky Lee,” currently showing at the U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York. Passionate about activism, documenting history, and combatting Asian hate crimes through his camera, Dear Corky is a film revealing the man behind the iconic pictures that mobilized the Asian American community. 

To learn more about the other films and see the full schedule of the festival, click here. For more information about ticketing, click here.

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Congratulations to AABANY Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair William Lee on Being Honored as Mayer Brown’s Pro Bono Associate of the Year

The Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) congratulates William Lee on being honored as Mayer Brown’s Pro Bono Associate of the Year on July 12, 2022. Mayer Brown is an international law firm specializing in the global financial services industry with approximately 200 lawyers in each of the world’s three largest financial centers: New York, London and Hong Kong. William was the sole “Pro Bono Associate of the Year” of the Americas out of three international recipients.

William has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. His experience includes volunteering for AABANY’s pro bono clinic, overseeing Columbia Law School’s Pro Bono Caravan, and supervising a postering campaign to provide AAPI neighborhoods in New York with COVID relief information. He is also Co-Chair of the AABANY Student Outreach Committee.

William, an associate in Banking & Finance, emphasized the importance of pro bono work during these trying times. To William, pro bono work means urgency. He noted how right now is the most important time to engage in pro bono, and if we do not fight, nothing will ever change.

William spoke about his experience with AABANY: “Before COVID, I wasn’t really involved with AABANY. I got involved by raising my hand to help the pro bono clinic as a translator. I’m not smarter or more qualified than anyone else in any other way. All I did was raise my hand, continue to say yes, and always try to do the right thing. A lot of law firm associates think they have no time to do pro bono, but I am a walking example that you can do both.”

How does he make time for Pro Bono work as a BigLaw associate? William highlighted the importance of time management: “Sometimes, you have to sacrifice an hour with family or while on vacation for a meeting, but it is worth it in the end.”

William said that while this award was completely unexpected, he is extremely grateful for this honor. He also emphasized that this award is a big win for AABANY.

Please join AABANY in congratulating William Lee on being honored as Mayer Brown’s Pro Bono Associate of the Year!

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Possible Expansion of Program for Guardian Ad Litem Appointments in Landlord-Tenant Matters in the 9th J.D.

9th Judicial District Administrative Judge Ann E. Minihan has issued a Memorandum pertaining to the possible expansion of a program for Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Appointments in Landlord-Tenant matters in the 9th Judicial District and seeks input from AABANY members who handle landlord-tenant matters within the 9th Judicial District to provide the projected number of GAL appointments that they would seek in each of the counties of the 9th J.D. if such a program were available. We ask that those interested in responding return the Memorandum with the bottom portion completed by August 31, 2022 to [email protected]. 

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