January 2023 - WE Blog @ AABANY

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023

Joint Statement on the Shooting
in Half Moon Bay

The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA Bay Area), the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA Silicon Valley), the Asian American Prosecutors Association (AAPA), the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC), the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California (KABANC), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) stand united to grieve the victims and support the families and communities devastated by another tragic act of mass violence visited upon the AAPI community—this time in Half Moon Bay. While law enforcement continues its investigation and details continue to emerge, we understand that the victims were all farmworkers of Asian and Hispanic origin, and our thoughts remain with the families of those lost and recovering.

“As we mourned and stood together with our sister Asian Pacific American bar organizations in southern California in the wake of their loss over the Lunar New Year, we are shocked and saddened by how suddenly mass violence has now struck our community here in the Bay Area,” said Lin Y. Chan, President of AABA Bay Area. “We must stand up and support the victims, their families, and our communities at this time of sorrow.”

“APABA Silicon Valley extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We share in the sorrow felt by the AAPI and Latino migrant farmworkers who live and work here and who we are proud to call our friends and neighbors,” said Thomas Mathew, President of APABA Silicon Valley. “These tragedies demonstrate that our own AAPI communities continue to have urgent unmet needs, including for mental health resources, which we must embrace and encourage, not stigmatize.”

“The Asian American Prosecutors Association joins our fellow Bay Area AAPI bar associations bound in grief for the victims of this senseless criminal act,” said Annie Saadi, President of AAPA. “We must ensure that justice and support and compassion for the victims and for the communities affected go hand in hand.”

“The New Year is a time to hope and dream. Instead, we mourn the loss of lives.” Asit Panwala, President of Cal-APABA, stated. “Our condolences go to the families and friends of those who were killed in this tragic incident.”

“As we come to grips with yet another horrific loss of life to violence, FBANC offers love, support, and compassion as well as whatever legal and advocacy resources we can harness to serve our beloved Bay Area community recover from this appalling tragedy,” said Raymond R. Rollan, President of FBANC.

“The Korean American Bar Association of Northern California joins in grieving for the victims of heartbreaking and shocking violence,” said Stephan Choo, President of KABANC. “We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, and offer our love, compassion and prayer for our community.”

“NAPABA is overcome with grief and sadness as yet another episode of violence has wrought suffering and heartbreak to so many in the AAPI and Hispanic communities in California,” said Sandy Leung, President of NAPABA. “We offer our deepest sympathies for the victims, and I know that our members and affiliates in the Bay Area, anguished as they are and still reeling from tragedy over the Lunar Year, stand ready to support the communities affected with care and humanity.”

“Another instance of mass violence has inflicted pain on the AAPI community in California,” said Jennifer Liem, President of VABANC, “as we process and grieve through our pain and anguish, we stand ready to assist the families and communities in any way our members can.”

Please visit the Half Moon Bay Fund, supported by a number of our partner organizations, to see how you can assist the families and communities who have lost so much in Half Moon Bay. 100% of proceeds will be donated to directly-impacted individuals.

Please visit Stop AAPI Hate’s toolkit for resources to help those affected by trauma and violence in the aftermath of this incident. Please also see their digital toolkit for organizations and advocates.

If you have any information relating to the ongoing investigation, please contact Detective Deschler with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office at: 1-800-547-2700

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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.

January 30, 2023January 30, 2023

AABANY Celebrates Lunar New Year at MSG with the Knicks

On Tuesday, January 24, forty AABANY members, family and friends celebrated Lunar New Year at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks took on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The night was filled with memorable moments: The New Asia Chamber Music Society performed the national anthem and there was a special lion dance performance during halftime. Two of our members caught t-shirts that were fired into the crowd by cannons and during the third quarter AABANY even got a shoutout on the Garden Vision big screen. And to cap it all off, the Knicks won a nail biter by a score of 105-103.

Thanks to the Membership Committee for organizing another successful event and shoutout to the Asia Practice, Bankruptcy, Career Placement, Mentorship, Military & Veterans Affairs, Women’s, and Young Lawyers Committees for co-sponsoring.

January 29, 2023January 29, 2023

New York State Bar Association Task Force Releases Report on Racism, Social Equity, and the Law

In 2021 the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) formed the Task Force on Racism, Social Equity, and the Law to examine how structural racism permeates and influences facets of daily life leading to injustice and inequality among New Yorkers. The Task Force included six subcommittees, Criminal Justice, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Justice, Health, and Housing, and examined the key issues that cause structural racism to be entrenched and persistent. These subcommittees provided recommendations and action steps for NYSBA to take to address structural racism and effectuate meaningful societal transformation.

AABANY Member Nelson Mar served on the Task Force as co-chair of the Education Sub-Committee. Over a period of a year and a half, he helped identify and draft the issues and recommendations for the Education section of the Task Force report. We also thank and recognize past AABANY member Lillian Moy on her leadership as Co-Chair of this important NYSBA Task Force.

To read the full report, click here.

Thanks to NYSBA for issuing this report, and thanks to Nelson for his leadership on the educational issues addressed in it.

January 25, 2023January 25, 2023

Joint Statement Regarding the January 21, 2023 Monterey Park Mass Shooting

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA Los Angeles County), California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (APABA Colorado), Japanese American Bar Association (JABA), Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA SoCal), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC), Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA), Thai American Bar Association (TABA), and Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California (VABASC), join together to mourn the lives lost, help the people injured, and support a community as it recovers from tragedy. On the eve of Lunar New Year on January 21, 2023, during a time of celebration, a shooter opened fire on members of our community in Monterey Park, resulting in the murder of eleven people and injuring many more.

“APABA Los Angeles County wholeheartedly condemns this horrific act of violence. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with those affected, including our own families and friends who call Monterey Park home, and we are working with our partners to support the community during this traumatic time,” said Erica Yen, president of APABA. “APABA has had a close connection with Monterey Park since our founding 25 years ago. We have held our monthly pro bono volunteer legal assistance clinic at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library for almost a decade – our second home for many years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later this week on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10-12 pm, we will return with renewed determination to help those in need with the re-opening of our in-person pro bono volunteer legal clinic in the Library Friends Room.”

“We are deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life in Monterey Park,” said Asit Panwala, president of Cal-APABA. “After more than two years of trauma, many Asian American families looked forward to this Lunar New Year as a time to come together in joy and celebration. But today we grieve with the families of the victims. We stand with you in love, solidarity, and strength.”

“KABA SoCal is deeply saddened by the tragic mass shooting in Monterey Park that took place on the eve of Lunar New Year,” said Monica Min, president of KABA SoCal. “We mourn the families of the victims and the communities that have been affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts, support, and love are with you.”

“NAPABA stands shoulder to shoulder with the families and communities impacted by this tragic act on what should have been a night of joyful celebration and hopeful possibility,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “For many of our members, Monterey Park is home – a place where they grew up, spent time with friends, or visited family. On behalf of our members across the country, NAPABA reaffirms its commitment to assisting communities affected by violence and lends our support to the victims and their families.”

“SCCLA stands united with its sister bar organizations – and the strong community of Monterey Park – in condemning this senseless act of violence,” said Nina Hong, President of SCCLA. “We grieve with the victims, their loved ones, and this wonderful city that many of us call home. We are resolved to stand together to keep the Chinese and AAPI communities safe.”

Our partners at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Southern California are coordinating a coalition of organizations, including our bar associations, to provide services to the victims and their families. More information about these services can be found here. You can support the official verified fundraiser for the victims and the Monterey Park community, which is endorsed by our organizations, by making a donation on GoFundMe online. One hundred percent (100%) of donations will go toward supporting the victims and their families.

A memorial honoring the victims has been established at Monterey Park City Hall at 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. The City of Monterey Park will host a public vigil at City Hall on Tuesday, January 24 beginning at 5:30 pm.

A Survivors Resource Center has been established at Monterey Park’s Langley Senior Center at 400 N. Emerson Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754. There are mental health resources available for anyone who needs support.

If you have information relating to the ongoing investigation, please call the Los Angeles Sheriff Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5550.

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January 23, 2023January 23, 2023

AABANY Asia Practice Committee Co-hosts: Together for Christmas Dinner

On December 25, 2022, the Asia Practice Committee, along with the Membership, Student Outreach, Women’s, and Young Lawyers Committees, partnered to host a Christmas dinner and gift exchange event at 99 Flavor Taste in Manhattan Chinatown. Fourteen attendees filled the upper level of this Chinese restaurant to enjoy hotpot and BBQ.

After all guests arrived, each attendee gave a one-minute self-introduction, which gave the guests a good opportunity to learn more about each other. While enjoying the delicious fare, attendees played Two Truths and a Lie, a fun icebreaker.

After everyone ate, the Christmas gift exchange took place, with order determined by lottery. To receive the gift, the recipient had to repeat the self-introduction of the gift giver.

After Christmas dinner, some attendees went on to enjoy an after-dinner karaoke party.

The event welcomed a wide range of attendees, including law students, corporate and tax law practitioners, retired professors and their significant others, who gathered to celebrate Christmas even though they do not have family around in New York, finding home and family among their AABANY friends.

Thanks to the Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs of all the co-sponsoring Committees for helping to organize and promote this enjoyable event and to everyone who came. We look forward to more fun events from these Committees in 2023 and hope you can join them!

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023

AABANY Corporate Law Committee Hosts Happy Hour at Oceana

On November 16, 2022, the Corporate Law Committee hosted a Happy Hour at Oceana in midtown Manhattan. The event was co-sponsored by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Kirkland & Ellis and Orrick. Attorneys, law students, and professionals enjoyed an evening of drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and good conversation. Lots of new connections were made and familiar faces reconnected.

The Corporate Law Committee would like to thank everyone who attended and plans to coordinate more events in the near future. Click here to learn more about the Corporate Law Committee.

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023

APABA-Indiana and NAPABA Statement on Purdue University Northwest Chancellor’s Remarks

WASHINGTON – The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana (APABA-IN), joined by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), strongly condemns the anti-Asian remarks by Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Chancellor Thomas L. Keon at the University’s commencement ceremony. APABA-IN and NAPABA requested a meeting with Purdue University leadership, including the President and Board of Trustees, to discuss investments to support for Asian American and other diverse students.

“Our membership, many of whom are proud and loyal Purdue alumni, are deeply disappointed by Chancellor Keon’s insensitive anti-Asian taunt,” said Judge G. Michael Witte, president of APABA-IN. “Chancellor Keon transformed what should have been a triumphant event celebrating the academic achievements of Purdue Northwest students into a national embarrassment. His comments highlight the continuing stereotypes that harm and hamper Asian American, immigrant, and diverse students throughout their education.”

Judge Witte continued, “While we acknowledge his apology, as noted in our letter to President Mung Chiang, we call on the University and the entire Purdue University system to make serious investments in creating a more inclusive environment – reflected in its curriculum, people, and services – that support their students and communities throughout Indiana. As AAPI lawyers who live and work across the Hoosier State, we are ready to work with Purdue to create a more supportive environment for all students in the state that recognizes the experiences and needs of our AAPI communities.”

“NAPABA joins the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana and strongly condemns Chancellor Keon’s mockery of Asians, Asian Americans, and those who speak other languages,” said Sandra Leung, NAPABA President. “As our research shows, stereotypes perpetrated by Chancellor Keon have pernicious and long-lasting impacts on AAPI lawyers throughout their careers, creating additional barriers and obstacles for them to overcome. We recognize that this event does not occur in isolation. It is part of a history of othering Asian American communities and a moment when acts of hate and discrimination are at unprecedented levels. We call on the University President and Board of Trustees to take additional steps to hold Chancellor Keon accountable and stand side-by-side with our members in the Hoosier State’s demand for and offer to support a serious investment by the Purdue University system in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

According to NAPABA’s recently released “Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law 2.0,” over 40% of AAPI lawyers surveyed reported overt discrimination and nearly two thirds have felt implicit discrimination in the workplace because of their race and ethnicity – including respondents who cited to teasing and ridicule of the kind displayed by Chancellor Keon.

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The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana (APABA-IN) is a voluntary bar association dedicated to the needs, concerns, and interests of the Asian Pacific American legal community in Indiana.

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023

2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program – Ninth Judicial District

Each summer, the New York State Court System provides an excellent learning opportunity to students from all over the country through the Judicial Internship Program.

The 2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program for the Ninth Judicial District is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 5th, and last approximately six weeks until July 14th. Interns are expected to work Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. The internship encompasses the entire Ninth Judicial District (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Dutchess Counties) and selected interns are placed in a location convenient for them. All interns will attend a detailed orientation on June 5th and weekly professional development lectures with guest speakers held in the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains. The summer internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for paying parking fees.

The opportunity to intern in a Judge’s chambers provides a student with an insider’s view into the decision-making process and a chance to participate in that important process. Interns’ tasks will include conducting legal research, drafting memos and briefs, preparing decisions, observing court, and assisting chambers staff with the day-to-day operations of their part.

Interested law students and college students who would like to apply to the 2023 Summer Judicial Internship Program, should complete the employment application and email it, along with a cover letter (explaining why you are interested in the program, what areas of law interest you, and what County you prefer to be placed), resume, and official transcript to Stefanie DeNise, Internship Coordinator, at [email protected].

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, beginning in January. All applications must be received no later than March 31, 2023. Note: the internship program is limited to 50 students.

If you are a law student and an avid writer, and wish to hone those skills over the summer, please note in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for a position with the White Plains satellite office of the Appellate Division, Second Department. Please also include a writing sample with your application materials.

Interns must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by the start date of the internship, unless granted a reasonable accommodation due to disability or religion.

The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

January 4, 2023January 6, 2023

In the News: Karen King Writes on her 9-0 Victory at the United States Supreme Court in Golan v. Saada

On October 7, 2022, Law360 published a piece written by AABANY Member Karen King titled “Key to a 9-0 Court Win: Look for a Common Ground.” Karen argued before the Supreme Court in March 2022 in Golan v. Saada, in which the Court decided in favor of Karen’s client in an unanimous 9-0 decision. Karen is a Partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, and an active member of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.

Karen has had an impressive and storied career, with accomplishments reaching back to before her time as a litigator. She was president of the debate team in high school and at Yale University, where she majored in philosophy and political science. After Yale, Karen received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and started her career at Cravath. Two decades later, Karen continues to appear in federal and state courts on behalf of corporate clients while also taking on pro bono clients, being named a “Notable Woman in Law” by Crain’s New York Business and receiving both the Federal Bar Council’s Thurgood Marshall Award for Exceptional Pro Bono Service and the National Asian Pacific Bar Association’s Pro Bono award. Her pro bono clients include victims of discrimination, survivors of domestic violence, students with learning disabilities, victims of gun violence, and prisoners in civil rights issues.

In the article, Karen writes about the strategies and steps her team undertook to prepare for arguing Golan v. Saada before the Court.

The case concerned an Italian citizen who filed a petition with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to return his child to Italy through the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Narkis Golan, the child’s mother, petitioned the court to prevent the child’s return to Italy, as the father’s history of abuse would put the child at a risk of psychological harm. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the District Court for the Eastern District of New York agreed that the child could be required to return to Italy by finding “ameliorative measures” to prevent such harm to the child. When Karen brought the case to the Supreme Court for Golan, the issue was whether, under the Hague Convention, courts must consider all possible “ameliorative measures” which would lead to the return of a child to their country of habitual residence. The Court ruled in favor of Karen’s client, finding that courts are not obligated to find options that will enable the child’s safe return before denying return based on a risk of harm. Karen describes in her article how she and her team navigated the diverse judicial philosophies of the Court’s justices to achieve a 9-0 victory.

Karen and her team took a keen interest in the judicial philosophies and oral argument preferences of justices on the Court to draw broad support from the bench. For example, Karen argued that the Second Circuit’s requirement to consider “ameliorative measures” which would favor return was an outcome not grounded in the text of the Hague Convention—an approach smartly tailored for textualist justices. Karen also writes that this case demonstrated how oral arguments offer not just opportunities for petitioners and respondents to emphasize certain legal points, but also chances to shape the justices’ thinking on the case.

In addition to demonstrating shrewd foresight through a textualist argument, Karen also underscored the importance of children’s interests in the Hague Convention text. These approaches to Karen’s oral argument performance were reflected in the Court’s opinion, where Justice Sotomayor remanded the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The justice drew upon the textualist ideas and child interest issues which Karen had brought forth during oral argument.

Karen’s article also reflected on the challenges she faced in preparing for oral argument at the Court for this case, as COVID-19 restrictions and partisan tensions reached new heights during preparations.

Lastly, Karen’s presence alongside two other Asian American litigators at oral argument before the Court places this case in Asian American legal history. The strategies Karen outlined for stellar advocacy go far beyond Golan v. Saada. As an Asian American community leader, Karen advocates for greater diversity in courtrooms and law firms, guides young litigators, and gives back to communities through pro bono work. AABANY is proud to see the inspiring work Karen King has done inside and outside of her role as a litigator, and we are excited to see how else she will continue to be a leading example for the Asian American community.

The full article can be found at:

https://www.maglaw.com/media/publications/articles/2022-10-07-morvillo-abramowitz-partner-karen-king-mentioned-in-law360-article